Can one of L.A.'s tallest towers survive a huge quake? L.A. County won't tell the public what its report found

"Ever since the county of Los Angeles purchased one of downtown L.A.'s tallest skyscrapers, questions have mounted over whether the building could be vulnerable to major damage in the event of a massive earthquake. County officials agreed to study the matter. But officials are now refusing to disclose a preliminary report that could shed light on the seismic safety question of whether the county should embark on costly retrofits to make it more reliable after a big earthquake."

"The County Counsel on Sept. 5 denied The Times' request for a seismic report on the Gas Co. Tower, citing exemptions listed under the California Public Records Act. The seismic report was referenced in a Nov. 6 document recommending the county purchase the building, in which officials said they agreed with the report's findings and recommendations, but didn't elaborate on what they were."

County officials refused to release a preliminary seismic report on the county-owned Gas Co. Tower, citing exemptions under the California Public Records Act. The report was cited in a November 6 recommendation to purchase the building and officials indicated agreement with its findings and recommendations without disclosing details. County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella publicly stated that the tower would survive a most powerful earthquake and that supervisors believe it exceeds safety requirements. Critics question whether the building sustained undiscovered damage during the 1994 Northridge quake and whether another major earthquake could render the tower unusable. Estimated retrofit costs were roughly $230 million.

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