MAY 18 & 19, 2024

U District Streetfair

At the 2024 U District Streetfair we once again showcased a number of U District projects proposed or in progress, seeking votes by ping pong ball from visitors. We also introduced our latest project, proposing a bold initiative for a Car-Free Ave

In spite of the rainy Saturday, this year we collected an amazing 3,283 votes for our six proposed initiatives. That's 4 votes per minute on average!!

U District Streetfair

The U District Street Fair returned for its 53rd year during the weekend of May 18-19, kicking-off Seattle’s summer event season with a 10 block-long arts and crafts fair that takes over The Ave. The two-day event also features free live music and performances, and more food trucks and booths than ever! 

This Seattle tradition regularly attracts over 50,000 visitors and now is accessible by link light rail which will transport visitors to the middle of the event.

At this year's U District Streetfair, we presented our progressive initiatives below:

Public Toilet
There remains an urgent need for public toilet access closer to  The Ave and the light rail station. Just last year, 792 human waste incidents were cleaned up from within the U District boundaries.

A top priority for our local U District Community Council, we seek the central placement of staffed bathrooms.
Car-Free Ave
The Ave is a place for people - yet it isn't designed as one.  Currently, it prioritizes the flow of traffic over the flow of people.  

The 2017 upzone and the opening of the light rail station brought increased density in the U District, so the need and support for  open space has only increased. Now is a critical time to reimagine our public right-of-way to fit our future needs. 
The Ave Historic District
 80% of the buildings on The Ave between NE 41st and 50th streets were built before 1930. 

This year we applied for landmark recognition of The Ave Historic District from the National Register of Historic Places and the Washington State Heritage Register, which would unlock tax incentives to property owners to retrofit their buildings, for preservation and earthquake resilience.
Summer Green Street
With your 1,686 votes last year, we developed a design plan to  transform NE 42nd Street into a 'Green Street', providing a vision for a future, permanent change to this vital connection between  The Ave and campus.

As a form of 'tactical urbanism' (quick, cheap, and temporary modifications), all of this activity will culminate with the U District Food Walk, when The Ave is again prioritized for people on Saturday, September 28.  
Union Bay Nature Trail
An abundance of nature lies just beside the U District along the shores of Union Bay, ideal for bird watching, forest hiking, and waterfront activities. But just one small section of this five-mile trail is missing. 

Once completed, the recreational pedestrian trail would stretch from Laurelhurst in North Seattle, all the way to Madison Park to the South as one continuous nature walk, free from vehicular traffic.  
Outdoor Concerts
During the pandemic, when the safest place to be was outdoors, our neighborhood hosted musical concerts in the middle of the street. Each year since, we booked dozens of bands to perform for free on The Ave when it becomes an open space for people.

Join us for this year's line-up on Saturday, May 18 at 7pm (on The Ave at 42nd)
  Reposado 
  Midpak 

Get in touch

udistrict.org
info@udistrict.org
Seattle, Washington USA
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