Site Report #3 Audio Tour Script

Land scape of Seattle in the 1870s (before development)

residences on Roosevelt Way NE in the early 20th century ( after the relocation of UW )

View of 45th Street and Roosevelt Way NE in 1928 (including Block44 on the right)

 The University Center in 2001 (after reformation)

Welcome to block 44 in the University district, next to the intersection of NE 45th Street and Roosevelt way. This space is located several blocks west from University way known as “the Ave”. In less than 200 years, block 44 has dramatically transformed from a deep forest inhabited by Duwamish tribes, into an urbanized residential and commercial area filled with houses and buildings.

Although the section of land where this block stands, was sold to Euro-American settlers in the 1850s, and owned by buyers including Tomas Emerson (1882) and McGuire (1891), the development was relatively slow(Nielsen,2). This was because it was far out from Seattle and was mainly used for farming. However, in 1895, after all the trees were cut down, University of Washington was relocated from downtown to this area, which has triggered a remarkable growth of U district. The entire area was platted by 1908, and as students' enrollment increased in the 1920s, more and more university related population moved into the neighborhood and created a residential community(Tobin and Sodt,14).

In the 1930s, due to the expansion of automobile uses, many car dealerships and retail shops prospered along 45th Street including this block. The bicycle shop with a large one-story structure building that has a wide curved facade, which is called University center now, placed on the Southwest corner of the block, used to be an American automobile retailer owned by “University Chevrolet Company” since 1936(Seattle Historical Sites). Such progress in transportation provided better access to this area, which led to a rapid growth of business and commercial buildings. Interestingly, this building itself was built in 1926 and has been a significant local landmark for a long time. Compared to the old photograph, you will notice that this Mediterranean style architecture and some of the exterior design has remained unchanged for 80 years(Degital Public Library of America).

As the historical maps show, although it consisted of homes and small businesses in the 1920s, the whole block turned into a commercial area by 1960(Seattle Municipal Archives), as U District was re-zoned to a higher multi-family zone during the “second building boom”(University District). This lead block 44 to greatly increase in density with variety of buildings, and experience further business and commercial expansion.

Moving into the 1980s-90s, many existing structures were rehabilitated to meet the needs of the increasing single-families that started settling in U district at this period(University District). According to research, the University Center was renovated by the Blume Company in 1985 to conduct a mixed-use project that added a theater, restaurant, retail and a office space. In 1998, Trader Joe’s bought a property on the EastNorth portion of Block 44, which added a new advantage to this block. By the 21st Century, a bicycle shop, toll service center, yoga studio, and UW research center was also introduced(Blume Co).

Reformation to this day are still being conducted, enabling this block to become a place where all kinds of activities are possible including shopping, work, and entertainment, not only for people living in the neighborhood but also office workers that come to U district.