The 1989 Loma Prieta quake flattened a similar structure and dozens died horrific deaths. Seattle was content to stare at theirs for nearly 20 years, even after a 2001 earthquake damaged it and the adjoining retaining sea wall.<p>There was no perfect solution and that got in the way of the good. Most people had the luxury of avoiding using it. I&#x27;d summarize the overarching opinion as &quot;suburbanites who thought it would get fixed cheaper and faster once it finally collapsed.&quot;