Site Report 1

Block 35 is bordered by University Way NE to the West, NE Campus Parkway to the North, 15^th Ave NE to the East and NE 40^th Street to the South. It is situated in the University District of Seattle, Washington and is located directly next to the University of Washington’s west border. Hundreds of students walk on this block every day. This is a multipurpose block containing a large apartment building, historical hotel, coffee shops, a pub, convenience store and a construction parking area. The Commodore Duchess Apartment towers cover the eastern half of the block, likely housing students at this convenient location next to the University. This is a very tall building with antique charm and would have some great views. The southwest corner is the College Inn, which also contains Bean and Bagel, Easy Shoppe, and College Inn Pub and Banana Leaf Cafe. Here, tourists visiting the University District or parents visiting their students can stay and enjoy the 1909 built history. The northwest corner is currently a gravel parking lot, fenced and with construction vehicles and construction trailers.

This is an interesting block of the neighborhood which inspires some questions. The College Inn displays the date it was built; 1909, but when was the other older looking building, the Commodore Duchess apartment, built? Was the gravel parking lot ever developed before and what is its use now? What did the land look like before any development? What is underground? Would the buildings survive an earthquake? What is the cost to live in the apartments or stay in the hotel? It is fitting to have an apartment building on this block given the proximity to the University. The Inn is also practical for visitors and as a historical building. The undeveloped construction area is harder to understand. There no construction projects directly surrounding the block, but there could be ones farther away. It is interesting there are trees on the north and east side but none on the south or west. There is also an assessable entrance to the apartments which would be interesting to see when it was built. There are many bike racks and wide sidewalks for pedestrians, convenient for students on their way to class.