Site Report #4: The Past And Future
Throughout the quarter, I have deeply analyzed and discussed the history of my exhibit: Block 45. Throughout my research, it has become evident that the block between Roosevelt and 11th St and 45th and 47th St NE currently serves as residential housing and is host to a Mazda dealership. The area also provides open space, available for potential expansion of residential and family housing. My exhibit is surrounded by businesses ranging from grocery stores like Safeway and Trader Joe’s to a wide variety of restaurants and gas stations.
Upon reading the provided documents, I came across a few that not only incorporated the surrounding area, but also highlighted my specific block. “U DISTRICT URBAN DESIGN: Final recommendations: zoning, development standards, affordable housing requirements, and amenities” refers to the area around my block as “The Core” and is the space with the most proposed changes. Improvements on “The Core” focus mainly around rezoning the area to SM-U Zoning, otherwise known as Seattle Mixed Zoning. Mixing residential and non-residential businesses will allow for developments such as General Offices, Parking Structures, Arts and Culture facilities, amongst the few proposed future services. These benefits will also be easily accessible by residents and non residents due to a soon-to-be 8 minute train ride from downtown, making “The Core” convenient and reachable as well as approachable by all.
The “History and Existing Conditions” document continues to provide evidence for the popular current use of housing in Block 45, as well as the future expansion of retail shops that will attract locals. “Besides the Ave, retail businesses are scattered along NE 45th St., as well as along Roosevelt Way NE. Auto- dealerships, and their large surface storage lots, are clustered long Roosevelt Way NE north of NE 45th St., creating a different character along this stretch of the street.” The Mazda Dealership provides a perfect example of a booming business that attracts not only locals, but also people throughout the area. Its business will only continue to bloom with the future establishment of the Light Rail that will be located on Brooklyn in 2021. The Document also states “Newer housing developments in mixed-use buildings are located along Roosevelt Way NE, 11th and 12th Avenues NE between NE 45th and NE 52nd Streets. The largest proportion of multi-family housing is made up of apartments, with a significant amount in duplex, triplex, and 4-plex structures.” Bridges @ 11th is the perfect example of a “mixed-in use building” that currently provides retail space as well as housing for residents. As businesses continue to boom and the U District’s population continues to grow, mixed-use buildings will become vital and common throughout the area.
Seeing as the exhibit once consisted of dirt and uninhibited land, the improvements being made and the proposals for the land are quite different compared to when Emerson first purchased it. Streets that once were paved with wood are now leveled and provide access to automobiles. The land had no access to the rail road upon the time of its purchase, in fact, goods had to be brought over by trolleys as time went on. Now, the block has access to businesses and will have access to a train that will be located on Brooklyn, providing easy transportation for visitors and residents.
As stated previously, block 45 has been a home to many residents, including family housing for graduates before Buildings @ 11th was established. Adding businesses and rezoning the land will invite potential residents to the exhibit and will increase the amount of inhabitants on the block. Since the University has owned the block for quite some time, it is the perfect location for students to reside in as they complete their studies. The proposals for new businesses and retail shops around the area will also make the location convenient for those who don’t attend the University. The Urban Design states, “Demand for housing in the core will be even higher in the future than it is today” further proving how essential Block 45 will be in providing housing for future residents. The exhibit is already well on its way to being an ideal student-centered U District. The area, or “Core” provides easy transportation, businesses, retail shops, restaurants AND housing, essentials for any students living in the U-district.