Our Urban Center is Growing

Public restroom facilities were not incorporated into the U District light rail station but there remains an urgent need for public access to restroom facilities, so our community has advocated for the placement of a 'Portland Loo' within two blocks of the station or in the building above.

Consistently the most popular community priority, desired for decades, is the transformation of The Ave into a pedestrian-priority shopping and entertainment destination to rival those of Europe. Addressing the 5-acre deficit of public open space for our dense urban center, this people street will attract visitors and neighbors alike.

We can welcome growth while preserving our cultural heritage for future generations. Conspicuously missing from Seattle's five designated historic commercial districts of Ballard Avenue, Columbia City, Pioneer Square, the International District, and Pike Place Market, is the  The Ave in the University District. 

Green Streets emphasize pedestrian amenities, landscaping, historic character elements, traffic calming, and other unique features that make it an attractive environment for all. With the light rail station opening, NE 43rd Street was redeveloped as a Green Street. 

There are no viable alternatives for walking and biking this bridge, so the goal is to make crossing Interstate 5 on NE 45th Street safe for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially as the last mile to/from the new U District light rail station, which was promised to voters in the 2015 Move Seattle Levy.

During the pandemic, the safest place to eat and congregate was outdoors, so we temporarily closed one lane to traffic to make room for people to walk, dine, & enjoy the warm weather together. We're bringing it back this year but only on select Saturdays in the summer.