Site Report 4: The Past and Future U District
This is a depiction of the "Green Spine" that is planned to run through the University District. As you can see, the 'spine' intersects and overlaps with the Burke Gilman trail, which is an influential aspect of Block 32. This picture is taken from the 2015 University District Park Plan.
This is an image of a sign relating to the Green plan for the University District
The past of this block has transformed from “wilderness to a city within the city, influenced by the largest university in the region” (43, University Districts Park Plan). With the population exponentially expanding, development and commercial use has increased, and created Block 32 to be the acre that it is today. The land between 8th Ave. NE and University Bridge, and NE 40th St. and NE Northlake Way is part of the industrial district, not much pedestrian traffic takes place on the streets themselves, but the Burke Gilman Trail on the north end of the lot is a popular destination for joggers and bikers galore. The vegetation in this area is unkempt, the pavement cracked, sidewalks are absent. Although this is a section of the University District on the outskirts of the boundaries, it still has future plans to progress the value of the site.
There will be standard pavement, sidewalk and curb construction implemented to create a pedestrian friendly environment, while increasing and specifically selecting various vegetation in order to enhance the visual aspects of this land. There will be a “North-South Green Spine” according to the University District Parks Plan of 2015, or in other words, an area running through the middle of the U District supporting sustainability through décor and functionality of the roads and parks. The Burke Gilman trail is included in this ‘Spine’, and runs through Block 32. The Parks Plan draft is written by the U District in coalition with the Seattle Parks and Recreation program, thus may be influenced heavily on factors that will benefit the Parks and Rec program. All of these green aspects are being implemented and hint at what I believe the future of the city will be like. Due to the current warming of the earth, large cities are going to be forced to take matters into their own hands in order to lower the carbon impact. Sustainability is on the rise, and will continue to guide the future of civilization, and I believe eventually Seattle and the University District will be a fully sustainable city off of green energy.
Although a fully sustainable city is currently out of reach, we can look at the past development through the Seattle area and confidently know that this city will continue to grow and develop. The economy, our current president, or financial conditions may prevent positive development, yet if the past repeats itself, progress is inevidable. The buildings and culture that exists through each street have changed through each century. When people first moved to the city, living downtown was the popular option due to the proximity to everything. As transportation became easily accessable, suburbs and communities out of the hustle and bustle popped up. Just as housing preferences change, the intermixing of people will continue and new generations bring forth new mindsets. I am hopeful for the future of Seattle, and the progress of the University District as a whole.
Works Cited:
Bretzke, Daniel. "City of Seattle Department of Finance and Administrative Services." N.p., 2 Apr. 2002. Web.
Mirai Transportation Planning and Engineering. "University Area Transportation Action Strategies Performance Measures and Thresholds." N.p., Apr. 2007. Web. Feb. 2017.
Pdorpat. "INTRODUCTION TO THE GIFT 1912 BAIST MAP." DorpatSherrardLomont. N.p., 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2017.
Q13 News Staff. "Fire rages at vacant Seattle building, smoke seen for miles." Q13 FOX News. N.p., 28 Aug. 2016. Web. 17 Feb. 2017.
"Building Services Department." Building Services Department | Facilities Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Mar. 2017.
"History & Culture." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2017.
"University District Parks Plan 2015 Update STRATEGIES FOR PROVIDING OPEN SPACE." Seattle Parks and Recreation and Department of Planning and Development, 7 Aug. 2015. Web.
"Seattle Department of Transportation: Bike Program." Seattle Department of Transportation: Bike Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.
"Seattle Municipal Archives Map Index." Seattle Municipal Archives Map Index. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2017.
"Seattle. Districts. Broadmoor." Northwest Subject Index. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2017.
"University District Parks Plan 2015 Update STRATEGIES FOR PROVIDING OPEN SPACE." Seattle Parks and Recreation and Department of Planning and Development, 7 Aug. 2015. Web.