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**Los Angeles County Withholds Seismic Report on Newly Purchased Gas Co. Tower**

Los Angeles, California – Questions are mounting over the seismic safety of the Gas Co. Tower, one of downtown L.A.’s tallest skyscrapers, recently purchased by Los Angeles County for $200 million. Despite agreeing to study the building’s vulnerability to earthquakes, county officials are now refusing to release a preliminary seismic report.

The report is referenced in a November document which recommended that county purchase the building. The report could offer insight into the larger safety of other “steel-moment-frame buildings.” County officials cited exemptions under the California Public Records Act, claiming the report is a confidential “attorney work product” and a “preliminary draft” being updated.

This lack of transparency leaves the public, including building occupants, in the dark. While Public Works Director Mark Pestrella has stated the building would survive a major earthquake, concerns remain about potential undiscovered damage from the 1994 Northridge quake and the overall safety of “steel-moment-frame” buildings. Structural engineers, like David Cocke, warn that a major earthquake could render the tower unusable without a costly retrofit.

The controversy comes as some county supervisors express reluctance to approve a seismic retrofit, estimated to cost over $230 million, more than the purchase price. The Board of Supervisors recently suspended work related to seismically retrofitting the skyscraper, citing the county’s current financial constraints and a belief that the building already exceeds safety standards.

Critics argue that withholding the seismic report prevents informed decision-making and could jeopardize public safety. The city of Los Angeles does not have earthquake regulations for steel-moment-frame buildings. Neighboring cities like Torrance, Santa Monica and West Hollywood require these buildings to be inspected and retrofitted if necessary.

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