Site Report 2
Looking south along the sidewalk of 15th ave NE. University District, Seattle. Taken on February 1, 2017. Caroline Lorentzen
Tree filled median. Overlooking the Commodore Duchess apartment buildings and the College Inn, the Space Needle visible in the background. University District, Seattle. Taken on February 1, 2017. Caroline Lorentzen
Survey Map from 1856. University District, Seattle. Puget Sound River History Project, University of Washington.
Topagraphic map of Seattle. 1899. Treasury Department US Coast and Geodetric Survey.
The environmental landscape of the block and those around it prior to development was forested and sloped. The area was and still is situated between Green Lake to the northwest, Lake Washington to the east and Lake Union to the south. There was a stream from Green Lake to Lake Washington. This stream appears to become the path of Ravenna Boulevard and could be rerouted under. The Montlake cut was not present as there was land between Lake Union and Lake Washington. Union Bay was much larger. What is now University Village would have been right at the shoreline or likely marshy area. The shrinking of Union Bay could be because there was a dump that got filled in where the UW parking lot is, the water level falling from the Ballard Locks, global warming or a combination.
Travel in the area was different around the 1850s. One map from 1856 labels an “Indian trail.” This is somewhat corresponding to the modern-day Burk Gilman Trail. This also demonstrated that Native Americans occupied the area, strategically near the water but sheltered from the sound. There also used to be a railway just south of the block. Nearby to the west would later be the gas works. This caused high levels of pollution to the area which could be present in the soil. There was no way for a boat from the ocean to get to the University District because Salmon and Union Bay were not connected. This was a resistance to development in the area.
The block now is highly developed but there are signs of the natural landscape of the past. The slope is still there. Trees have been planted and there is some shrubbery. Drainage is underground. The construction area gravel lot has some weeds growing where there is no traffic. The block is majority covered by building or cement, blocking any plants from growing.