University District Station Area Action Package

The University District is a vibrant community incorporating a growing business district, residential areas and the University of Washington. The vision for the community is established by the University Community Urban Center Plan (Aug., 1998). The UW is guided by its Campus Master Plan (currently being updated). The community plans envisions strong investment in mixed use development along The Ave and strong surrounding residential neighborhoods. The Brooklyn and University Gardens area are also seen as growing residential areas. The community and University look forward to a softening of the physical boundary between the two; particularly along the east side of 15^th Ave. NE. The NE 45^th Station would be designed to enhance access to The Ave, to strengthen connections between The Ave and UW campus, and to complement UW development. The Pacific Station would be designed to coordinate with UW development plans and to facilitate connections to the Campus, Burke Gilman Trail, UW medical facilities and the Huskey Stadium.

Description of Station Locations

The University District will be served by two Sound Transit stations; one at NE Pacific St. and 15^thAve. NE, and one at NE 45^th St. and 15^th Ave. NE. The stations will be deep mined stations, served by banks of high-speed elevators. The Pacific Station will have entrances to the south of Gould Hall, close to 15^th Ave. NE., and in the triangle of land south of NE Pacific St. between University Way NE and 15^th Ave. NE. The NE 45^th Station will have entrances on the east side of 15^th Ave NE near NE 45^th St., and NE 43^rd St. Sound Transit, the University of Washington, and community members are working together to ensure that the stations design and locations fit with the University's and community's plans and projects. All stations are being designed with the assistance of artists and will incoporate public art.

History of Planning

The University District "community" is comprised of numerous neighborhood and business groups, as well as UW administration, faculty and students. None of these groups speaks for the "community" and as a result, planning has largely been undertaken by coalitions of interests. One such coalition, the University Community Urban Center Association completed its neighborhood plan August 1998, with Council adopting a corresponding City workplan to address recommendations in November 1998. This plan reflected four years of community outreach, work and ideas. It's recommendations are the basis for station area planning recommendations. During neighborhood planning, members of the University District BIA sponsored "The Ave Group" planning committee comprised of BIA members and other community members. The group produced a conceptual plan for improvements to The Ave between NE 50^th St. and NE Campus Parkway.

Station Area Planning began in University District with a kick-off meeting in March 1999 and establishment of a Station Area Advisory Committee. The committee included representatives from community organizations, property and business owners, University of Washington representatives and residents. The membership was open to encourage people to participate as they had time and interest. In addition to these meeting, the City and Sound Transit held several workshops throughout 1999 and 2000. Those relevant to the development of the Station Area Planning recommendations included:

Design and Development Work Session - This combined interviews with area stakeholders and intensive work sessions with designers and staff from agencies and City departments to refine and build on neighborhood plan recommendation
Station Design Workshop - The Sound Transit led workshop gave the community an opportunity to provide general direction to the station design concepts.

Community involvement will continue with the establishment of a joint City and Sound Transit Advisory Committee. The need for such a group was established during partnering session held between the UW, Sound Transit, City and members of the community. This group of key neighborhood stakeholders will work with Sound Transit and the City on station and street design projects, to address construction impacts and to insure the continued vitality of the community. The committee will also likely be involved with further implementation of station area planning recommendations such as the design of the streetscape improvements along NE 43^rd Street.

Development Potential

The University District supports a variety of residential, retail, office and institutional development. The area in the vicinity of NE 45^th St. has strong real estate markets in housing, retail and office. Residential activities are less than 2%, and permit activity stuggests a strong interest in development. Overall, however, the strength of the development market is moderate. This is largely because the area is substantially built-out. The strongest opportunities for development exist in the area between Roosevelt Way and 11^th Ave NE where there are properties with very little development. Opportunities also exist along The Ave, however, existing development and small ownership patterns have dampened redevelopment. The Ave Project and station construction are expected to increase the incentive to redevelop. Development near the Pacific Station will almost exclusively be a result of UW growth.

Key Actions

[MAP: University District: NE 45^th Station Area]

[MAP: University District: Pacific Station Area]

Major Street Improvements

The Ave Project: Implement The Ave Project. Ensure Sound Transit related improvements fit with The Ave design.
15^th Ave. NE - NE 50^th St to NE Pacific St.: Complete street and sidewalk improvements to provide an optimal balance of pedestrian, bus and car usage.
NE 43^rd Street: Complete street and sidewalk improvements between Roosevelt Ave. NE and station to enhance pedestrian connections to the station. Elements include: pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, street trees, lighting and other pedestrian facilities.
Brooklyn Green Street: Work with the neighborhood to develop a "Green Street" concept for Brooklyn Ave. NE.

Transit Service: Work with Metro and the community to develop transit service to stations. Work with Metro and UW to evaluate and implement options for developing off-street bus layover facilities to meet expected demand. Work with Metro to identify long term options for off street layover facility.

Bicycle Storage Facilities: Provide adequate bicycle parking and associated facilities at NE 45th Station and Pacific Station, with a possible bike station at the Pacific Station.

University District Transportation Study: Address transportation issues in the University District through a coordinated effort. The effort should integrate, and supplement where needed, existing transportation studies to provide an overall picture of transportation issues, and should provide unified direction to transportation improvements.

UW Master Planning: Work with UW during their master planning process to implement neighborhood plan recommendations

Parking: Work with University District Parking Association to explore options for redeveloping existing surface parking lots into mixed use buildings with a public parking component. Implement recommendations resulting from City of Seattle Parking Study.

Burke Museum: Work with UW to promote coordination of museum design with station design if the Burke expands at existing location.

Church Round Table: Facilitate round table discussions with churches in the University District to increase coordination of development.

NOTE: This package contains two maps (NE 45^th Station & Pacific Station) for each chart of recommendations.

University District: NE 45^th & Pacific Station Areas
Transportation and Access Actions

[MAP: University District: NE 45^th Station Area Transportation and Access]

[MAP: University District: Pacific Station Area Transportation and Access]

Year	'00	'01	'02	'03	'04	'05	'06	Neighborhood Plan Reference
KEY ACTIONS
A. The Ave Project
Implement The Ave Project. Ensure Sound Transit related improvements fit with The Ave design.								B5
B. 15^th Ave. NE - from NE 50^th St. to NE Pacific St.
Complete street and sidewalk improvements to provide an optimal balance of pedestrian, bus and car usage. Project should include: Wider sidewalks and installation of associated amenities. At-grade crossing of 15^th Ave NE at NE 45^th St. NE 43^rd St. and near north and south entrances of Pacific Station. Street reconstruction and associated utility work. Bus stop and layover configuration. Remove the retaining wall and replace with a "softer" transition between the sidewalk and UW Campus. Accommodate bike access to station along 15^th Ave in between 43^rd and 47^th Streets								B1, B16, D5
C. NE 43^rd St.
Complete street and sidewalk improvements between Roosevelt Way NE and station to enhance pedestrian connections to the station. Elements include: pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, street trees, lighting and other pedestrian facilities.								B6, B9, D8
D. NE 45^th Street
Define street and sidewalk improvements between Roosevelt Way NE and 20^th Ave NE to enhance pedestrian connections to the station that would be completed as development occurs. Consider increased setbacks between the Ave and 15^th Ave. NE to allow for wider sidewalks. Coordinate design with The Ave project. Improve access across I-5 by providing bicycle and pedestrian refuges, curb cuts, railings, and other improvements that would reduce conflicts
E. NE 47^th Street
Seek funding to complete street and sidewalk improvements between Roosevelt Way NE and 15^th Ave. NE to enhance bicycle and pedestrian connections to the station.								B8, B11
F. Brooklyn Ave. NE - Green Street
Seek funding for and complete designs for green street improvements on Brooklyn Ave NE								D26
G. ADA Improvement
Conduct inventory and improve sidewalks and curb ramps as necessary to meet ADA requirements within 1/4 mile of station entrances. (Not mapped)
H. Gateways
Design and install gateways to the University District at 15^th Ave NE and NE 45^th St.								D15
I. Alley Lighting
Work with the business community to develop a lighting plan including lighting in alleys.								G5
J. Bus Service
Work with Metro and community to develop bus service to stations.								B1 B16, B18
K. Bus Layover Facilities
Work with Metro and UW to evaluate and implement options for developing off-street bus layover facilities to meet expected demand								B17, D24
L. Bicycle Storage Facilities
Provide bicycle parking and associated facilities at: NE 45^th St. - Provide 115 spaces in 2006 and 228 by 2020. NE Pacific St. - Provide 137 spaces in 2006 and 273 by 2020. Develop a bike station at the north entrance of the Pacific Station. The bike station could provide valet parking, service and sales to bike commuters.
M. Bike Routes
Provide signed bike route at key intersections along the following streets: NE 47^th St from 8^th Ave. NE to 22^nd Ave. NE. Brooklyn Ave. NE from Ravenna Blvd. to the water. Design and build bike access to Pacfic Station from Burke Gilman Trail								D26, B11
POLICY ACTIONS
N. University District Transportation Study
Address transportation issues in the University District through a coordinated effort. The City is currently considering options to respond to the community's request for a neighborhood-focused transportation plan. Such an effort could integrate and supplement, where needed, existing transportation studies to provide an overall picture of transportation issues, and a unified direction for transportation improvements.								B24
RELATED CITY INVESTMENTS
O. NE 50^th Street Improvements
Work with community to design and implement improvements to NE 50^th Street and signalization within the University District. Coordinate with The Ave Project.

University District: NE 45^th & Pacific Station Areas
Land Use and Zoning Actions

[MAP: University District: NE 45^th Station Area Land Use and Zoning]

[MAP: University District: Pacific Station Area Land Use and Zoning]

Year	'00	'01	'02	'03	'04	'05	'06	Neighborhood Plan Reference
KEY ACTIONS
A. UW Master Plan Update
Work with UW to implement neighborhood plan and Station Area Planning recommendations relating to UW. Recommendations include: Determining options for off-campus leases; Enhancing shuttle transit service; Improving 15^th Ave. NE and the edge of campus along 15^th Ave. NE. Improving Campus Parkway to provide more usable open space. Encouraging coordinated development in the West Campus area to improve street environment, provide small open spaces; and Locating and scheduling cultural facilities and activities to create a greater interaction with the community.
B. Parking Management Strategies
Implement parking management strategies resulting from SPO Parking Study including: Parking ratios appropriate to the neighborhood; Identifying locations shared parking; District wide parking management, transportation demand management and marketing strategies; and Revised bicycle parking ratios.
C. P1 Designation on NE 43^rd St. between Brooklyn and 15^th Ave. NE
In order to assure an appropriate pedestrian connection between the community, business district and station, conduct analysis with community and landowners to determine if a pedestrian overlay (P1 designation) is appropriate along NE 43^rd St. between Brooklyn Ave. NE and 15_th Ave. NE.
CITY-WIDE ACTIONS
D. Station Area Overlay
Implement Station Area Overlay to replace Interim Station Area Overlay.

University District: NE 45^th & Pacific Station Areas
Open Space and Capital Facilities

[MAP: University District: NE 45^th Station Area Open Space and Capital Facilities]

[MAP: University District: Pacific Station Area Open Space and Capital Facilities]

Year	'00	'01	'02	'03	'04	'05	'06	Neighborhood Plan Reference
KEY ACTIONS
A. Brooklyn Ave. NE - Green Street
Design green street improvements for Brooklyn Ave NE (also listed in Transportation & Access)								D26
B. NE 43^rd St.
Complete street and sidewalk improvements between Roosevelt Way NE and station to enhance pedestrian connections to the station. Elements include: pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, street trees, lighting and other pedestrian facilities. (also listed in Transportation & Access)								B6, B9, D8
C. Gateways
Create Gateways to the University District at 15^th Ave NE and NE 45^th St.								D15
D. Bike Station
Work with Sound Transit and UW to develop a bike station at the north entrance of the Pacific Station.
RELATED CITY INVESTMENTS
E. University Heights
Work with University Heights Board and community to explore options for acquiring the University Heights School for community use.

University District: NE 45^th & Pacific Station Areas
Development Opportunities

[MAP: University District: NE 45^th Station Area Development Opportunities]

[MAP: University District: Pacific Station Area Development Opportunities]

Development opportunities are divided into three categories:

Impacted Properties These are properties that will be directly impacted by the Sound Transit project for construction staging or station entrances.
Properties in Public Ownership These are properties owned by a public entity, other than Sound Transit that have near term redevelopment potential.
Properties in Private Ownership These are properties owned by a private entity, that have near term redevelopment potential.

Sound Transit is currently discussing opportunites to integrate with or ensure compatibility with development on UW property. Most development opportunities, however, will be on private sites near the stations.

Year	'00	'01	'02	'03	'04	'05	'06	Neighborhood Plan Reference
A. IMPACTED PROPERTIES
A1. Bike Station
Work with Sound Transit and UW to develop a bike station at the north entrance of the Pacific Street Station. The bike station could provide valet parking, service and sales to bike commuters.
B. PROPERTIES IN PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
B1. Burke Museum
Work with UW to promote coordination of museum design with station design if the Burke expands at existing location.
B2. University Heights
Work with University Heights Board and community to explore options for acquiring the University Heights School for community use.								D1
C. PROPERTIES IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
C1. Metro/University District Parking Assoc. (UDPA) Bus Layover and TOD
Work with Metro to evaluate and implement options for on and off-street bus layover. Work to identify long term options for off-street layover facility.								B17, D24
C2. Church Round Table
Facilitate round table discussions with churches in the University District to increase coordination of their development projects.
C3. UDPA Parking Lot Redevelopment
Work with UDPA to explore options for redeveloping existing surface parking lots into mixed use buildings with a public parking component.								B21
C4. University Bookstore Parking Lot Redevelopment
Work with University Bookstore to ensure potential redevelopment of parking lot supports station area objectives.
D. PROJECTS ALREADY IN DEVELOPMENT
D1. UW Law School
D2. Parking lot redevelopment

DRAFT 25 Feb 2000