Site Report 4: The Past and the Future

Construction workers, working on site at a new apartment complex currently being built on the corner of Roosevelt Way NE and 50th St. NE in the University District. Photo taken on January 22nd, 2017 by Nicholas Kaley.

A 2013 map from the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, showing potential sites of development in the University District. Block 54 is colored Orange indicating high potential for rebuilding, and black showing the current reconstruction of Unversity Audi at the time. (Courtesy of Seattle DPD, 2013). Map. 

The University District finds itself in a peculiar spot right now, with debates in Seattle city council going on about the development of high-rise living spaces in the area in the next few years. However, the U-District is an area that is predominantly filled with student housing and apartments, with the population being 75% of residents aged 18-29[1] (U-District Existing Conditions, Pg. 14), and the same report noted that 82% of occupied housing units were renter-occupied – demonstrating a more temporary and youthful Seattle neighborhood[2] (U-Dist. Existing Conditions, Pg. 16). There has been a great deal of outcry from residents about the potential socio-economic effects that the expansion would have on the area, such as drastic housing and rent increases forcing many to leave the area to find accommodations.

Several blocks have remained relatively unchanged for years in the University District, but my block between Roosevelt Way NE and 11^th Ave NE, and from 47^th St. NE to 50^th St. NE, is one that has experienced recent development similar to the kind that many expect to come to the area soon. According to a 2013 City of Seattle Department of Development and planning map, it lists the area that encompasses the Audi dealership as “actively under development”. Fast forward 3 years later and now there is a brand new built facility for the University Audi shop[3] (DPD Support Analysis, Pg. 9). Across the street on 11^th are relatively new apartment complexes that were built sometime on this side of the century mark. This area is one that is a mixture of both residential and commercial buildings, with a history of auto dealerships on Roosevelt Way and 11^th Ave. between 45^th and 52^nd avenue. Freeway Properties LLC. is one of the major property owners in the University District. They own both the Volkswagen and Audi dealerships on my block, and considering their intentions were to build a higher quality facility for their Audi shop, they still have a high likelihood of redeveloping the Volkswagen shop[4] (DPD Support Analysis, Pg. 9). With the current apartment construction taking place on the corner of Roosevelt Way NE and 50^th St. NE, it appears that the property owners on the block, as well as the Seattle DPD, have already initiated and implemented their plans for rebuilding and improving the value of their properties. These constructions are nothing drastically different from the past usage of the block, apart from the apartment complex that is being built on the northwest corner of the block on Roosevelt and 50^th St. NE, which in the past was a property holding a retail store for many years.

One of the big projects the city of Seattle has been in the process of constructing over the past few years in the U District, is the building of the Link Rail station on Brooklyn and 43^rd St. NE. This project will have an immense impact on the U-District as a whole, but in particular my block will be within half a mile’s walking distance of the Link Rail station which may improve the parking situation on Roosevelt as people can commute much easier once the station is complete[5] (U-District Existing Conditions, Pg. 68). The new Link Rail station will also bring a lot more people from across the city into the area. City planners who estimated the potential high-rise demand in the U District have evaluated that this area is among the more affordable housing in the entire city[6] (U-District Support Analysis Memo, Pg. 6). With the development of more housing and properties in the U-District, the affordable housing will likely increase in price. This reminds me of what we talked about in Professor O’Mara’s lectures about the global urban transformation trends that have been happening all over the world in recent years and even in Seattle in an area such as South Lake Union. With the advertising of a metropolis for young business individuals who are wealthy to work and start businesses. I feel as though Seattle is attempting to promote the U-District as a place for wealthy individuals who can integrate and reside to improve the monetary flow in the area. Gentrification has been occurring all over Seattle in recent years and it wouldn’t come as a shock to see it happen in the U-District either. Hopefully, the housing for students will remain affordable, and small businesses that have long stood in this area can remain and contribute to this very unique region that is currently very student-centered.

Works Cited