The Region : Council OKs Quake Building Measure

Despite opposition from a group of building owners, the Los Angeles City Council has given initial approval to a measure that would speed the process of fortifying 8,000 brick buildings to withstand a major earthquake. The motion amends a 1981 ordinance by requiring that the inspection and repair of all unreinforced brick buildings take place by 1996. In approving the amendment, the council also set aside $181,000 for the Department of Building and Safety to pay for the cost of inspecting the buildings and sending out notices to owners over the next year.