Building Boom on Known Quake Hazards - Revision history

Ccarlsson: added color box to abstract

2014-03-18T00:44:23Z

added color box to abstract

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:44, 17 March 2014
Line 10:		Line 10:


	'''In this community newspaper article, the author highlights one of the greatest safety concerns for the economically prosperous city of San Francisco of the early 21st century: the massive expansion of construction in locations that are known to provide major earthquake hazards. Increased development around the turn of the century in low-lying areas where building have been constructed on soft mud foundations with poor infrastructure, present major concerns of preparedness for the next big San Francisco earthquake. The city has many obstacles around fragile water mains and adequate transportation it must tackle in order to insure certain areas of new growth are prepared for future quakes.'''		{\| style="color: black; background-color: #F5DA81;"
			\| colspan="2" \|'''In this community newspaper article, the author highlights one of the greatest safety concerns for the economically prosperous city of San Francisco of the early 21st century: the massive expansion of construction in locations that are known to provide major earthquake hazards. Increased development around the turn of the century in low-lying areas where building have been constructed on soft mud foundations with poor infrastructure, present major concerns of preparedness for the next big San Francisco earthquake. The city has many obstacles around fragile water mains and adequate transportation it must tackle in order to insure certain areas of new growth are prepared for future quakes.'''
			\|}


Line 17:		Line 19:
	Gray Brechin, a geographer from U.C. Berkeley has written a new book called ''Imperial San Francisco; Urban Power, Earthly Ruin, ''which scrutinizes some the processes of urbanization in San Francisco, and the immense wealth acquired by a few at the environmental expense of succeeding generations. He maintains that California was filled, poisoned and plundered in order to grow and feed its urban aristocracy; and that much of this can still be seen going on today in San Francisco. "This is especially true in the current land rush to build on every available parcel in the South of Market and the Northeast Mission," Brechin claims.		Gray Brechin, a geographer from U.C. Berkeley has written a new book called ''Imperial San Francisco; Urban Power, Earthly Ruin, ''which scrutinizes some the processes of urbanization in San Francisco, and the immense wealth acquired by a few at the environmental expense of succeeding generations. He maintains that California was filled, poisoned and plundered in order to grow and feed its urban aristocracy; and that much of this can still be seen going on today in San Francisco. "This is especially true in the current land rush to build on every available parcel in the South of Market and the Northeast Mission," Brechin claims.

	'''Water Lots for Sale '''		<font size=4>'''Water Lots for Sale '''</font size>

	One of the more colorful examples of the tremendous environmental impact some of our founding fathers have had on this City begins when Americans first took possession of San Francisco in 1846. Our political leaders at the time, SF Alcade (Mayor), Edwin Bryant, and General Kearny, the California Governor, immediately began the process of selling off plots of underwater land along the waterfronts. This scheme raised enormous amounts of money for the new government and powerful new landowners, but has left lasting negative consequences on the land ever since. Aside from the loss of our natural terrain as hills were leveled to create soil to fill the water-lots, commercial and industrial activities over the years have left toxic remains, only to be cleaned up today at enormous cost to subsequent generations.		One of the more colorful examples of the tremendous environmental impact some of our founding fathers have had on this City begins when Americans first took possession of San Francisco in 1846. Our political leaders at the time, SF Alcade (Mayor), Edwin Bryant, and General Kearny, the California Governor, immediately began the process of selling off plots of underwater land along the waterfronts. This scheme raised enormous amounts of money for the new government and powerful new landowners, but has left lasting negative consequences on the land ever since. Aside from the loss of our natural terrain as hills were leveled to create soil to fill the water-lots, commercial and industrial activities over the years have left toxic remains, only to be cleaned up today at enormous cost to subsequent generations.
Line 23:		Line 25:
	The original purchasers of these "water lots" eventually were faced with a requirement to fill in the land to an official grade or elevation above the high tide line. But all too often this was done in a haphazard fashion, leaving poorly engineered and unconsolidated soil beneath buildings, which today are still sinking into the soft mud beneath them. Land speculators at the time filled the swamp areas with sand and debris to the required elevation. Then they completed their land purchases and re-sold the parcels to unsuspecting newcomers. These newcomers found their property underwater within days, after the sand gradually broke through the peat bog and sunk beneath the water. Some areas of South of Market where these original water-lots were created remain problems to this day; the buildings are substandard and foundation work has never been adequate. Some buildings continue to settle and subside into the soft soil beneath them. (Check out the garage door next door to Rainbow Grocery's Folsom St. entrance near Division.)		The original purchasers of these "water lots" eventually were faced with a requirement to fill in the land to an official grade or elevation above the high tide line. But all too often this was done in a haphazard fashion, leaving poorly engineered and unconsolidated soil beneath buildings, which today are still sinking into the soft mud beneath them. Land speculators at the time filled the swamp areas with sand and debris to the required elevation. Then they completed their land purchases and re-sold the parcels to unsuspecting newcomers. These newcomers found their property underwater within days, after the sand gradually broke through the peat bog and sunk beneath the water. Some areas of South of Market where these original water-lots were created remain problems to this day; the buildings are substandard and foundation work has never been adequate. Some buildings continue to settle and subside into the soft soil beneath them. (Check out the garage door next door to Rainbow Grocery's Folsom St. entrance near Division.)

	'''Unstable Infrastructure '''		<font size=4>'''Unstable Infrastructure '''</font size>

	Brechin is particularly concerned about the infrastructure of the City when unstable areas are pushed to their buildable limits with new construction. Many individuals have complained about the seismic instability of the huge new live/work buildings constructed in South of Market during the years of contentious public hearings. But Brechin has brought more questions to light. "What people don't realize about the devastating 1906 earthquake is that it was the inability to fight the fires that destroyed the City, not the earthquake itself. The underground water mains failed in concentrated areas of South of Market and the Mission."		Brechin is particularly concerned about the infrastructure of the City when unstable areas are pushed to their buildable limits with new construction. Many individuals have complained about the seismic instability of the huge new live/work buildings constructed in South of Market during the years of contentious public hearings. But Brechin has brought more questions to light. "What people don't realize about the devastating 1906 earthquake is that it was the inability to fight the fires that destroyed the City, not the earthquake itself. The underground water mains failed in concentrated areas of South of Market and the Mission."
Line 29:		Line 31:
	According to Beverly Hennesy of the SF Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), San Francisco has recently undertaken a massive capital infrastructure upgrade, which could total $3.5 billion over the next 15 years. As part of a comprehensive Facilities Reliability Study by the SFPUC, they simulated a seismic event (a 7.9 quake on the San Andreas Fault somewhere along the Peninsula) and found that our regional water supply would be unavailable within hours of the earthquake and not restored for 20-30 days thereafter. With funds from Water Bonds approved in 1997 they are now, among other things, replacing brittle underground water pipes susceptible to rupture. They are also rehabilitating City reservoirs, many of which are 60-100 years old and built to less rigorous standards. To increase storage capacity and supply, they also plan to create a new reservoir for the eastern side of the City and downtown. Where does the Mission fit into their plans? "The senior levels of our planning group are still in the process of prioritizing the work that gets done," said Hennesy.		According to Beverly Hennesy of the SF Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), San Francisco has recently undertaken a massive capital infrastructure upgrade, which could total $3.5 billion over the next 15 years. As part of a comprehensive Facilities Reliability Study by the SFPUC, they simulated a seismic event (a 7.9 quake on the San Andreas Fault somewhere along the Peninsula) and found that our regional water supply would be unavailable within hours of the earthquake and not restored for 20-30 days thereafter. With funds from Water Bonds approved in 1997 they are now, among other things, replacing brittle underground water pipes susceptible to rupture. They are also rehabilitating City reservoirs, many of which are 60-100 years old and built to less rigorous standards. To increase storage capacity and supply, they also plan to create a new reservoir for the eastern side of the City and downtown. Where does the Mission fit into their plans? "The senior levels of our planning group are still in the process of prioritizing the work that gets done," said Hennesy.

	'''Broken Water Mains '''		<font size=4>'''Broken Water Mains '''</font size>

	In the area of the broken water mains along Mission Creek indicated on the map, there have been only a few new buildings constructed and many more have been substantially reconditioned. The general area from 17th and 18th Streets and Mission to Harrison would appear particularly vulnerable from this map, and should be subject to careful planning for future land use and improvements.		In the area of the broken water mains along Mission Creek indicated on the map, there have been only a few new buildings constructed and many more have been substantially reconditioned. The general area from 17th and 18th Streets and Mission to Harrison would appear particularly vulnerable from this map, and should be subject to careful planning for future land use and improvements.
Line 39:		Line 41:
	The Building Inspection Department for San Francisco maintains that new buildings are safer than ever. "We have learned a lot in the last few years from recent earthquakes in other cities, and it is important to upgrade and/or replace the older buildings in these liquefaction zones where they are often unsafe." Catherine Bauman, a senior planner in the Long-Range Planning Group of the Planning Department, also maintains that "encouraging development in the soft soil areas of the City serves to improve the seismic safety of the areas. To restrict development and discourage improvements to the deteriorated buildings, be they smaller and less dense, does not enhance or preserve seismic safety."		The Building Inspection Department for San Francisco maintains that new buildings are safer than ever. "We have learned a lot in the last few years from recent earthquakes in other cities, and it is important to upgrade and/or replace the older buildings in these liquefaction zones where they are often unsafe." Catherine Bauman, a senior planner in the Long-Range Planning Group of the Planning Department, also maintains that "encouraging development in the soft soil areas of the City serves to improve the seismic safety of the areas. To restrict development and discourage improvements to the deteriorated buildings, be they smaller and less dense, does not enhance or preserve seismic safety."

	'''Transportation '''		<font size=4>'''Transportation '''</font size>

	Accelerated growth and development without adequate transportation improvements can lead to serious environmental problems-like the traffic congestion and air pollution we are all familiar with. And in an emergency situation, it could also be very debilitating if people were to become stranded far away from home for an extended period of time. The rapid real estate development currently underway in this immediate area is not accompanied by adequate transportation improvements to accommodate the increased population, especially as residential development sprawls further and further from the job centers. "Damaged streets will be difficult to move fire trucks through, yet they keep increasing the construction in these land-fill areas," says Brechin.		Accelerated growth and development without adequate transportation improvements can lead to serious environmental problems-like the traffic congestion and air pollution we are all familiar with. And in an emergency situation, it could also be very debilitating if people were to become stranded far away from home for an extended period of time. The rapid real estate development currently underway in this immediate area is not accompanied by adequate transportation improvements to accommodate the increased population, especially as residential development sprawls further and further from the job centers. "Damaged streets will be difficult to move fire trucks through, yet they keep increasing the construction in these land-fill areas," says Brechin.

Lisaruth at 04:53, 23 October 2013

2013-10-23T04:53:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:53, 22 October 2013
Line 10:		Line 10:


	'''In this community newspaper article, the author highlights one of the greatest safety concerns for the economically prosperous city of San Francisco of the early 21st century: the massive expansion of construction in locations that are known to provide major earthquake hazards. Increased development around the turn of the century in low-lying areas where building have been constructed on soft mud foundations with poor infrastructure, present major concerns of preparedness for the next big San Francisco earthquake. The city has many obstacles around ~~water~~ fragile water mains and adequate transportation it must tackle in order to insure certain areas of new growth are prepared for future quakes.'''		'''In this community newspaper article, the author highlights one of the greatest safety concerns for the economically prosperous city of San Francisco of the early 21st century: the massive expansion of construction in locations that are known to provide major earthquake hazards. Increased development around the turn of the century in low-lying areas where building have been constructed on soft mud foundations with poor infrastructure, present major concerns of preparedness for the next big San Francisco earthquake. The city has many obstacles around fragile water mains and adequate transportation it must tackle in order to insure certain areas of new growth are prepared for future quakes.'''

Lisaruth at 00:42, 26 April 2013

2013-04-26T00:42:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:42, 25 April 2013
Line 10:		Line 10:


	'''In this community newspaper article, the author highlights one of the greatest safety concerns for the economically prosperous city of San Francisco of the early 21st century: the massive expansion of construction in locations that are known to provide major earthquake hazards. Increased development around the turn of the century in low-lying areas ~~such as the historic waterways of Mission Creek, the underground Hayes Valley Creek, and old tidal pools,~~ where building have been constructed on soft mud foundations with poor infrastructure, present major concerns of preparedness for the next big San Francisco earthquake. The city has many obstacles around water fragile water mains and adequate transportation it must tackle in order to insure certain areas of new growth are prepared for future quakes.'''		'''In this community newspaper article, the author highlights one of the greatest safety concerns for the economically prosperous city of San Francisco of the early 21st century: the massive expansion of construction in locations that are known to provide major earthquake hazards. Increased development around the turn of the century in low-lying areas where building have been constructed on soft mud foundations with poor infrastructure, present major concerns of preparedness for the next big San Francisco earthquake. The city has many obstacles around water fragile water mains and adequate transportation it must tackle in order to insure certain areas of new growth are prepared for future quakes.'''

Lisaruth: added abstract

2013-04-26T00:30:15Z

added abstract

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:30, 25 April 2013
Line 7:		Line 7:
	'''Map created after the 1906 earthquake showing the locations of broken water mains South of Market and in the Northeast Mission. Heavily damaged areas are concentrated in the low-lying areas along the old Mission Creek (18th Street) and Hayes Valley Creek where it drained into Mission Bay south of Market and just east of the old City Hall. '''		'''Map created after the 1906 earthquake showing the locations of broken water mains South of Market and in the Northeast Mission. Heavily damaged areas are concentrated in the low-lying areas along the old Mission Creek (18th Street) and Hayes Valley Creek where it drained into Mission Bay south of Market and just east of the old City Hall. '''

	''by Hermann Schussler, Chief Engineer of Spring Valley Water Co. 7-23-06'' Courtesy of Gray Brechin		''Map: by Hermann Schussler, Chief Engineer of Spring Valley Water Co. 7-23-06. Courtesy of Gray Brechin''


			'''In this community newspaper article, the author highlights one of the greatest safety concerns for the economically prosperous city of San Francisco of the early 21st century: the massive expansion of construction in locations that are known to provide major earthquake hazards. Increased development around the turn of the century in low-lying areas such as the historic waterways of Mission Creek, the underground Hayes Valley Creek, and old tidal pools, where building have been constructed on soft mud foundations with poor infrastructure, present major concerns of preparedness for the next big San Francisco earthquake. The city has many obstacles around water fragile water mains and adequate transportation it must tackle in order to insure certain areas of new growth are prepared for future quakes.'''


	One topic often omitted in the debates over real estate development in the industrial lands of South of Market and the Northeast Mission, is that most of the new building construction is occurring in locations where San Francisco's soils are the least stable and the most vulnerable to earthquake damage. Our industrially zoned districts are primarily located in the low-lying areas around Mission Bay. These areas were originally tidal marshes filled in fast and furiously with sand and mud during the Gold Rush days and shortly thereafter. The more stable lands on the hillsides were built with housing, since only commercial concerns could afford the high costs of landfill.		One topic often omitted in the debates over real estate development in the industrial lands of South of Market and the Northeast Mission, is that most of the new building construction is occurring in locations where San Francisco's soils are the least stable and the most vulnerable to earthquake damage. Our industrially zoned districts are primarily located in the low-lying areas around Mission Bay. These areas were originally tidal marshes filled in fast and furiously with sand and mud during the Gold Rush days and shortly thereafter. The more stable lands on the hillsides were built with housing, since only commercial concerns could afford the high costs of landfill.

Lisaruth at 23:52, 26 March 2013

2013-03-26T23:52:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:52, 26 March 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
	'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Historical Essay</font></font> </font>'''		'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Historical Essay</font></font> </font>'''

	''by Judy West''		''by Judy West, from ''New Mission News,'' January 2001''

	[[Image:mission$1906-damage-map.jpg]]		[[Image:mission$1906-damage-map.jpg]]
Line 42:		Line 42:

	Is the Mission getting our fair share of infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the increased density and congestion in our neighborhood? Where will the big investments in our fundamental infrastructures be made? We know a huge percentage is going into Mission Bay where the big cats have their money invested with Catellus, just as Brechin's thesis would predict.		Is the Mission getting our fair share of infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the increased density and congestion in our neighborhood? Where will the big investments in our fundamental infrastructures be made? We know a huge percentage is going into Mission Bay where the big cats have their money invested with Catellus, just as Brechin's thesis would predict.

	~~''--by Judy West ''~~

	~~from'' New Mission News,'' January 2001~~

Ccarlsson: Protected "Building Boom on Known Quake Hazards": finished essay [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

2009-01-02T09:08:38Z

Protected "Building Boom on Known Quake Hazards": finished essay [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

← Older revision	Revision as of 02:08, 2 January 2009
(No difference)

Ccarlsson: PC and protected

2009-01-02T09:08:29Z

PC and protected

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:08, 2 January 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
			'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Historical Essay</font></font> </font>'''

			''by Judy West''

	[[Image:mission$1906-damage-map.jpg]]		[[Image:mission$1906-damage-map.jpg]]

	'''Map created after the 1906 earthquake showing the locations of broken water mains South of Market and in the Northeast Mission. Heavily damaged areas are concentrated in the low-lying areas along the old Mission Creek (18th Street) and Hayes Valley Creek where it drained into Mission Bay south of Market and just east of the old City Hall. '''		'''Map created after the 1906 earthquake showing the locations of broken water mains South of Market and in the Northeast Mission. Heavily damaged areas are concentrated in the low-lying areas along the old Mission Creek (18th Street) and Hayes Valley Creek where it drained into Mission Bay south of Market and just east of the old City Hall. '''

	by Hermann Schussler, Chief Engineer of Spring Valley Water Co. 7-23-06 Courtesy of Gray Brechin		''by Hermann Schussler, Chief Engineer of Spring Valley Water Co. 7-23-06'' Courtesy of Gray Brechin

	One topic often omitted in the debates over real estate development in the industrial lands of South of Market and the Northeast Mission, is that most of the new building construction is occurring in locations where San Francisco's soils are the least stable and the most vulnerable to earthquake damage. Our industrially zoned districts are primarily located in the low-lying areas around Mission Bay. These areas were originally tidal marshes filled in fast and furiously with sand and mud during the Gold Rush days and shortly thereafter. The more stable lands on the hillsides were built with housing, since only commercial concerns could afford the high costs of landfill.		One topic often omitted in the debates over real estate development in the industrial lands of South of Market and the Northeast Mission, is that most of the new building construction is occurring in locations where San Francisco's soils are the least stable and the most vulnerable to earthquake damage. Our industrially zoned districts are primarily located in the low-lying areas around Mission Bay. These areas were originally tidal marshes filled in fast and furiously with sand and mud during the Gold Rush days and shortly thereafter. The more stable lands on the hillsides were built with housing, since only commercial concerns could afford the high costs of landfill.

Ccarlsson at 07:21, 29 September 2008

2008-09-29T07:21:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:21, 29 September 2008
Line 46:		Line 46:
	[[Dot.com Meltdown Real Estate Frenzy Subsides at end of 2000 \|Prev. Document]] [[A Brief History of the Dearborn Garden \|Next Document]]		[[Dot.com Meltdown Real Estate Frenzy Subsides at end of 2000 \|Prev. Document]] [[A Brief History of the Dearborn Garden \|Next Document]]

	[[category:Mission]] [[category:SOMA]] [[category:~~earthquake~~]] [[category:real estate]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:2000s]]		[[category:Mission]] [[category:SOMA]] [[category:earthquakes]] [[category:real estate]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:2000s]]

Ccarlsson: categories

2008-07-29T07:17:36Z

Ccarlsson at 06:04, 16 November 2007

2007-11-16T06:04:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:04, 15 November 2007
Line 43:		Line 43:
	from'' New Mission News,'' January 2001		from'' New Mission News,'' January 2001

	~~Contributors to this page include:~~

	~~''New Mission News - Publisher or Photographer ''~~		[[Dot.com Meltdown Real Estate Frenzy Subsides at end of 2000 \|Prev. Document]] [[A Brief History of the Dearborn Garden \|Next Document]]

	~~New Mission News - Publisher or Photographer~~

	~~West,Judy - Writer~~

	[[Dot.com Meltdown Real Estate Frenzy Subsides at end of 2000 \|Prev. Document]] [[A Brief History of the Dearborn Garden \|Next Document]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:17, 29 July 2008
Line 45:		Line 45:

	[[Dot.com Meltdown Real Estate Frenzy Subsides at end of 2000 \|Prev. Document]] [[A Brief History of the Dearborn Garden \|Next Document]]		[[Dot.com Meltdown Real Estate Frenzy Subsides at end of 2000 \|Prev. Document]] [[A Brief History of the Dearborn Garden \|Next Document]]

			[[category:Mission]] [[category:SOMA]] [[category:earthquake]] [[category:real estate]] [[category:1900s]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:2000s]]