Oregon University Confidently Building $50M Center in Tsunami Zone
Oregon State University is moving ahead with plans to build a $50 million expansion to house its marine science initiative in a tsunami inundation zone in Newport despite warnings from a state geologist that the site could make it vulnerable to a major earthquake and put it in the path of a subsequent tsunami.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that President Ed Ray, the dean of Oregon public university presidents, believes the 100,000 square foot expansion at the mouth of the Yaquina Bay will be a “national and global showcase” for seismic design standards.
The school needs final approval from the City of Newport to start construction, which could begin next year.