Site Report #4
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7AYdv3qP7v7bEQ0Z2ZiWDZwVW8/view
The empty lot Christie Park is set to expand into, U-District, taken March 1st, 2017 by Taylor Jeffery
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B7AYdv3qP7v7anpnRGEwQ01uRkk
A house that is over a hundred years old that may be torn down in the future, U-District, taken by Taylor Jeffery sometime in February.
The block between 42nd and 43rd and 8th and 9th has historically been a residential area. Today it stands as a block covered in apartment buildings, most of which no older than thirty years, but some houses still remain from its lower density living past. While many apartment buildings present today were constructed in the eighties, four houses still exist to this day that are over one hundred years old. The defining characteristic of this block is its high-density apartment buildings sprinkled with a handful of homes from another era entirely.
With the rezoning of the University District, the future of this block is uncertain. The maximum build height was previously forty feet and had been such since its inception essentially. Now however, the maximum build height will be fifty-five feet. This may mean that the block will have another period of great development, much like what happened in the eighties. It also remains unclear what will become of the four remaining houses dating back to the early 1900’s. These are indeed historically significant buildings, and may very well be torn down and replaced by even larger apartment complexes than are already present. One house is already set to be removed in place of a twenty unit apartment building, though the house is in some level of poor quality at the present.
Another thing that remains to be seen is what exactly will happen to everyone who lives on this block currently if another period of construction is on its way. Tearing down an apartment will certainly displace the many people who live in them while removing one of the houses would take away some of the few that still exist from the earliest days of the block. No matter which occurs, or even both, it is quite likely that the neighborhood will experience great change in the coming years.
One last thing of note is the fact that Christie Park will be expanding as well. The little park, as of now, is no bigger than the lot of a medium sized house. But, as of 2014, it is set to expand into a neighboring lot to its side. The development of the park itself provides an interesting contrast with its surroundings. It is very much like a microcosm of the modern city. Along with the continued change and development of Seattle’s districts, parks and recreation have coevolved along with.
Bibliography:
Book Publishing Company, “Section 23E zoning [1973 Municipal Code zoning map updated through ordinance 102076],” University District Stories, accessed March 16, 2017, http://courses.washington.edu/hstaa208/items/show/690.
Book Publishing Company, “: Section 23E zoning [1958 Seattle Zoning Code - zoning map sections including changes made by Ordinances up to and including Ord 90314 (9/15/1961) ],” University District Stories, accessed March 16, 2017, http://courses.washington.edu/hstaa208/items/show/688.
City Planning Commission, “Plate 23 / Zoning maps of City of Seattle as of August 1, 1947,” University District Stories, accessed March 16, 2017, http://courses.washington.edu/hstaa208/items/show/689.
City Zoning Commission, “Plate 2 / height and area map [1923 zoning],” University District Stories, accessed March 16, 2017, http://courses.washington.edu/hstaa208/items/show/687.
Pacific Aerial Surveys, Inc., “Aerial view of the University of Washington campus, Portage Bay, the University Bridge, a portion of Lake Union, January 30, 1937,” University District Stories, accessed March 16, 2017, http://courses.washington.edu/hstaa208/items/show/382.
Thomas S. Phelps, “Plan of Seattle, 1855-6,” University District Stories, accessed March 16, 2017, http://courses.washington.edu/hstaa208/items/show/379.
Veyera, Joe. "Christie Park set to expand with Seattle Park District passage." The Daily of the University of Washington. The Daily of the University of Washington, 24 Sept. 2014. Web. 16 Feb. 2017.
"Christie Park." Christie Park - Parks. Seattle Parks and Recreation, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2017.
"Researching Historic Land Use and Zoning." Researching Historic Land Use and Zoning - CityArchives. Seattle Municipal Archives, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2017.
Unknown, “Seattle map, 1904 (real one),” University District Stories, accessed March 16, 2017, http://courses.washington.edu/hstaa208/items/show/380.
"U District Urban Design." U District Urban Design - What & Why - Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development. OFFICE OF PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2017.