Site Report #4

The University District is full of students and businesses, both mom and pop stores and well established restaurants and stores (The Department of Planning and Development 21). Today, on University Way, there are homeless people that scatter the street among various locations. My block is sandwiched between University Way and Brooklyn Ave. and there are plenty of food establishments as well as a Safeway. Many students and local residents travel along the block to pick up groceries or hang out on the Ave. The Seattle Department of Planning and Development put out a street improvement plan in 2015. This plan breaks down the allotment of space for things like parking, landscaping, and bicycles.

Since there are many people who pass by on Brooklyn and University Way, having proper space on the road is essential for pedestrian crossing and traffic flow. Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development wants people to understand that there can be balance in terms of assembling the different parts of a street. This concept plan aims to have open space areas where there can be social, commercial, and community events (UD Green Streets 2). Bringing the community together is one of the big goals of the Green Streets concept plan. These plans contrast from the historical usage of the block because University Way used to have a trolley line running through it. Also, businesses have changed the types of goods and services they offer. Smaller stores used to offer items and services targeted toward families and workers but now the products and services are geared toward students.

History suggests that Brooklyn Ave. and University Way might continue to evolve to match students’ needs. More well-established stores will continue to serve University of Washington students and it would not be a surprise to see more apartments being built due to the approval of upzoning. University District should try to maintain a mixture of families and students but unfortunately the businesses tend to cater to the needs of students. A student-centered University District would offer exceptional amenities and encourage people to live close to campus. Commuters would be attracted to living closer to campus at a reasonable cost.

The University of Washington is authorizing these plans and wants to expand housing and continue bringing in revenue. As establishments like the University of Washington and other companies like Amazon continue growing, University District is losing almost all of its identity. These well-known establishments continue to make their own communities out of urban areas. The University District continues to evolve and move towards the influence of technology.

Works Cited

Seattle Department of Planning and Development, "UD Green Streets Concept Plan 2015," Seattle Department of Transportation

Sherrard JR, "Seattle Now & Then: A Brooklyn Home Taken For The Cleaners," Seattle Now And Then

The Department of Planning and Development, "University District Urban Design Framework," UD History and Existing Conditions