Site Report 4
A graphic created for the Univeresity of Washington Seattle Campus Master Plan, it shows some of the main additions planned for west campus. University District (Seattle, WA). Created circa 2016. University of Washington.
This graphic from the Master Plan shows planned projects which would increase the ammount of open green space in the area. University District (Seattle, WA). Created circa 2016. University of Washington.
A map which shows existing pedestrian paths, as well as proposed additions which would make student life more convenient. University District (Seattle, WA). Created circa 2016. University of Washington.
Block 27 is actually not included in any of the plans for the development of the University District in the near future. All of the dormitories in west campus are not included in the rezoning of the U District along with the Cedar Apartments, which is also considered a part of student housing. Elm Hall is a dormitory, surrounded by other dormitories and in close distance to lots of food and entertainment options. This proximity to the University and large student population means that the neighborhood is based on student life and interests.
The U District Urban Design report was compiled by the city of Seattle Director of Planning and Community Development, Samuel Assefa. Assefa uses his international experiences to influence plans for Seattle in the future. In his brief, Assefa lays out four main aspects of city planning legislation he feels should be integrated: zoning changes, new design, Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) requirements, and new requirements and incentives for amenities (Assefa 2). According to the report, the recommendations made do not apply to buildings in west campus, but the University is doing its own re-planning which will be influenced by the U Districts rezoning (Assefa 7). Assefa references a past investment by the city to install more bike lanes on NE Campus Parkway as a good example of project partnership to create a better infrastructure (Assefa 43). Historically this block has been an area with a high population of students and University personnel, so adding more bike lanes and other access to non-car transportation makes sense, however, I am doubtful that Assefa knows the full history of the block itself.
The University District Parks Plan 2015 Update was prepared by Seattle Parks and Recreation and Department of Planning and Development for the University District Partnership. The goal of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department is to develop communities centered around healthy lifestyles and a healthy environment.The committee interviewed community members about developments they would like to see happen in the area, so presumably, based on the population of the area a lot of students impacted these plans (“University District Parks Plan 2015 Update” 4). One of the park's plans, enhancing pedestrian walkways 11th & 12th Avenues between 40th & Campus Parkway, has already been completed, probably at the same time that west campus was being redone. However, block 27 is also a part of a plan to create better pedestrian connections going east to west from 41st to 45th, and upkeep is planned on maintaining NE Campus Parkway (University District Parks Plan 2015 Update” 15). These plans are literal continuations of the construction of west campus, as they are an ongoing process of making student life more convenient. It is evident the planners know this history, as occurred very recently in the past, although I am unsure if they know the full story of its past.
The block has been, for quite some time, and remains to be an area largely populated by University students and personnel. Future development of the area will surely still involve incorporating student desires into the plans. As recent plans and reports have indicated, creating more convenient and safer methods of transportation is a high priority for the future of the U District. A potential area of interest planners may want to think about in order to create a more student-centered U District would be to include more outdoor areas for recreation within west campus, although Elm Hall does already have a nice pavilion on the southeast side of the block.