Santa Paula Receives Grant for Seismic Improvements
The city of Santa Paula received a $4.2-million federal grant to bring some of the city’s buildings up to date with earthquake codes.
“We have a lot of old un-reinforced buildings in town, and this grant will allow us to start working with the owners of the property to make them earthquake safe,” Mayor Jim Garfield said.
The funds for the seismic improvement grant are from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The city has been working to obtain the grant since the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
The City Council will have to officially accept the $4,236,351 seismic improvement grant at its Aug. 16 meeting.
About 105 buildings in the city are eligible to receive about 75% of the costs for seismic rehabilitation. Remaining costs will be the owners’ responsibility.
The city might start with a pilot program of 10 buildings, Garfield said.
The improvements would include reinforcing side walls and tying them into beams and the ceiling to make the buildings stronger.
The project will take about four years to complete.
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