Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future: Seismic Retrofits and Historic Buildings in Seattle

In case you missed it, Historic Seattle is proud to have completed Phase 1 of a voluntary seismic retrofit of one of Wallingford’s most treasured landmarks—the Good Shepherd Center. This milestone represents not just a commitment to historic preservation, but also a dedication to public safety and community resilience.

But our work is just one part of a much larger conversation happening across Seattle: how can we ensure the safety and longevity of our city’s historic buildings in the face of seismic risk?

To explore this important question, we invite you to a special evening of learning and dialogue at the very place where our retrofit work took place—the Chapel Space at the Good Shepherd Center. On Tuesday, June 24, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, join us for a panel discussion with leading experts in seismic retrofitting and historic preservation.

Together, we’ll discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in upgrading older buildings to meet modern safety standards while honoring their architectural and cultural significance. You’ll hear directly from the people working on the front lines of this issue—from city leaders shaping policy to architects designing innovative solutions.

This is a free and open to the public program. However, we ask that you register by clicking here.

Whether you’re a building owner, preservation advocate, design professional, or curious community member, this event is a chance to learn more about how Seattle is working to safeguard its historic built environment for generations to come.

Meet the Panelists:

• Curry Mayer, Director of Emergency Management for the City of Seattle
  With decades of experience in emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction, Curry brings critical insight into how seismic readiness is being prioritized at the municipal level.

• Amanda Hertzfeld, Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Program Manager, City of Seattle
  Amanda leads the City’s URM Retrofit Program, which supports efforts to strengthen some of Seattle’s most vulnerable structures. Her work bridges technical strategy, policy development, and public engagement.

• Kate Weiland, Partner and Design Principal, BuildingWork
  Kate is a preservation architect with deep expertise in designing seismic retrofits that are sensitive to historic character. Her firm, BuildingWork, is known for its thoughtful approach to adaptive reuse and rehabilitation.