The Associated Press
Seattle Mayor Paul Schell, surveys the earthquake-damaged buildings in Pioneer Square on Sunday.

Seattle tabulates dollar amount of earthquake damage

$40 million amount in estimated damage expected to rise

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

"If we were damaged by any other cause, we'd be covered by insurance." Rick Wyatt Co-owner, Fenix Underground

SEATTLE -- Mayor Paul Schell ducked under caution tape, explored rubble-strewn buildings and reassured business owners and residents on Sunday that the city would help them recover from the 6.8 earthquake that rattled the region last week.

"The buildings are all treasures," Schell said as he stopped to talk with business owners in historic Pioneer Square downtown, and those whose homes were damaged by the largest earthquake to shake the area in 52 years.

So far, the city has inspected more than 400 buildings, deeming 26 uninhabitable and 161 requiring "supervised entry." Initial estimates of damage in the area were higher than $40 million, although the numbers are expected to increase, said Rick Krochalis, director of the city's Department of Design, Construction and Land Use.

Damage around the region is estimated at $2 billion. Scientists credit the quake's 33-mile depth from preventing worse damage. About 400 people suffered injuries, most minor.

Krochalis pointed to a historic building where bricks were in danger of falling and said it would be one of the first repairs. Schell, smiling, realized his car was parked right in front of the building and quickly called for someone to move it.

The Fenix Underground's collapsed brick roof is now covered with a large blue tarpaulin, and a fence prevents curious onlookers from getting close to the building. Co-owner Rick Wyatt said he didn't have earthquake insurance and has no idea if the nightclub building will be restored or torn down.

"If we were damaged by any other cause, we'd be covered by insurance," he told Schell, who urged all affected to contact the city and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A city recovery team will help business owners and residents with information, give support in assessing damage and working with banks and insurance companies, Schell said.

Landslide concerns remained in one hilltop section of Burien, south of Seattle, and in Tacoma's waterfront Salmon Beach neighborhood.

The two dozen buildings declared unsafe for occupancy in Seattle included a few apartments buildings whose tenants had to relocate.

The King County Courthouse and all administrative buildings were deemed safe to reopen today by structural engineers, King County Executive spokeswoman Elaine Kraft said.

"A lot of the damage was cosmetic," she said. "Everything is being repaired and fixed."

Boeing spokesman Tom Ryan said an engineering building in the Renton plant, south of Seattle, was the only place shut down and all employees were to return today.

Ryan said planes had begun flying out of Boeing Field, where scientists were surprised to find areas where the runway had essentially liquefied during the quake, leaving large cracks. Runways, taxiways and the terminal were damaged at the airport in south Seattle.

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