Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Building Policy Committee
Information about the City of Portland committee looking at seismic policy issues involving unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings.
The URM Policy Committee has been meeting monthly to prepare a seismic retrofit policy for Portland City Council to consider in 2017.
An unreinforced masonry (URM) building is a structure with at least one load-bearing wall made of brick or blocks joined by mortar with no steel reinforcing bars.
URM buildings were constructed in Portland between about 1870 and 1960. Many have aged handsomely. They include historic churches, schools, and theaters, breweries, dance halls, and other landmarks that Portlanders know and love. URM buildings define the character of many Portland neighborhoods and business districts. More than 7,000 Portland households reside in multi-family URM buildings.