How Planning Turned City Around After Earthquake

Fifteen years after Loma Prieta, the Chronicle describes how a devastating earthquake forced squabbling Santa Cruz factions to come together to save downtown.

1 minute read

October 16, 2004, 11:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

This politically liberal beach city was jolted into action in more ways than one when the 1989 earthquake brought down several downtown buildings and much of its infrastructure. Jumping in and saving people and later a bookstore's inventory from the rubble, the community had to suspended its factional politics to save a downtown already in decline. Over three years the community united around a vision for downtown that is now a retail success story.

Thanks to Chris Morgan

FULL STORY: 15 years later: Shaken -- and then stirred

Saturday, October 16, 2004 in The San Francisco Chronicle

Community / Economic Development California

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