Site Report 3

The block between 7^th Ave. NE and 8^th Ave. NE, and NE 40^th St. and NE Northlake Way has experienced significant refining during the past three centuries.  In its earliest times the block was used for homesteading where a man named Christian Brownfield gave the block its purpose of creating homes.  On the other side of the block, which is now the Burke-Gilman trail, was previously owned by the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern railway founded by ten men headed by Thomas Burke and Daniel Gilman.  Hence the name Burke-Gilman trail.  Not too long after, the block was bought by the University of Washington in 1895 due to the relocation of the University to Northeast Seattle.  In the early twentieth century, the University built itself a Publications Services Building which gave home to everything from recycling to webpage design and acts as a central core and data system for the University’s widespread electronic printing.  As the removal of railroads occured in the twentieth century the Burke-Gilman trail grew.  The railroads will eventually pave the way of the trail as seen today in its most completed form.  Furthermore, despite the University owning the block a local businessman and entrepreneur found the area perfect for his investment firm.  He owns office buildings centralized for stock investors whose primary focus is in northwest companies and his very own restaurant which has operated on Lake Union for forty-three years now.  The block has become very stable in recent years with not much activity resulting in any more changes.  The Burke-Gilman trail is in constant use every day as well as the University of Washington’s Publications Services Building which I am sure will remain just the same for many years coming.