Why Save the Ave?The Ave is the heart of our unique U District neighborhood and the eclectic small businesses along its spine serve as 'third places' where true community happens. In the face of massive development on the adjacent streets, it is essential to protect this one avenue as our human-scaled, pedestrian-oriented, shopping and entertainment destination.
The U District Rezone was approved in February 2017 and high-rise buildings up to 240-320' (20-30 stories) are planned or under construction in the core area surrounding the Ave. Our community successfully negotiated a delay of the upzone along the Ave to study its impacts. From our extensive door-to-door survey of small businesses, it is clear that maintaining the current building height limit of 65' will foster the human-scaled environment for a vibrant shopping and entertainment district. No other urban center in Seattle has welcomed more new density as the U District did with our recent rezone. In exchange, we ask to preserve our one main street to keep our neighborhood vibrant, livable, and recognizable. The unique, small businesses and nonprofits, including many long-time favorites and legacy businesses, are on board to Save the Ave, but they need the rest of the community’s help. |
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RECENT PRESS
Shaun Scott and Alex Pedersen Agree: Don't Upzone The Ave
By Lester Black, The Stranger, September 10, 2019
Seattle City Council candidates Shaun Scott and Alex Pedersen don’t agree on much. But when it comes to The Ave, the two District 4 city council candidates are in complete alignment. "We agree on a very important policy matter affecting our district: the current city council should indefinitely suspend its plan to upzone 'The Ave,’” Scott and Pedersen wrote in a co-signed letter to City Hall on Friday.
Seattle City Council candidates Shaun Scott and Alex Pedersen don’t agree on much. But when it comes to The Ave, the two District 4 city council candidates are in complete alignment. "We agree on a very important policy matter affecting our district: the current city council should indefinitely suspend its plan to upzone 'The Ave,’” Scott and Pedersen wrote in a co-signed letter to City Hall on Friday.
Small business owners and nonprofits oppose upzoning at Rally to Save the Ave
By Natalie Rand, The UW Daily, August 13, 2019
On Aug. 10, organizers for Rally to Save the Ave gathered at Big Time Brewery to fundraise and gain community feedback in efforts to stop the City of Seattle from going through with upzoning effective April 2019. Upzoning, or the change of the zoning of a land area to higher-density usage, is part of Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) legislation. Its goal is to create at least 6,000 units of affordable, income-restricted, rent-restricted housing by 2025.
On Aug. 10, organizers for Rally to Save the Ave gathered at Big Time Brewery to fundraise and gain community feedback in efforts to stop the City of Seattle from going through with upzoning effective April 2019. Upzoning, or the change of the zoning of a land area to higher-density usage, is part of Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) legislation. Its goal is to create at least 6,000 units of affordable, income-restricted, rent-restricted housing by 2025.
Advocates Look To Save The Ave From Rezoning, Redevelopment
By Shawna De La Rosa, Bisnow Seattle, July 24, 2019
In 2017, Seattle’s University District was one of the city’s first neighborhoods to be upzoned in an effort to increase density and housing affordability. Since then, the district has been flooded by real estate transactions led by developers looking to capitalize on the new opportunity. But in a corner of this district lies a slice of history that is still untouched by the upzoning regulations, and its future is hanging in the balance.
In 2017, Seattle’s University District was one of the city’s first neighborhoods to be upzoned in an effort to increase density and housing affordability. Since then, the district has been flooded by real estate transactions led by developers looking to capitalize on the new opportunity. But in a corner of this district lies a slice of history that is still untouched by the upzoning regulations, and its future is hanging in the balance.
Keep the U District Unique (video) |
Our Eclectic Small Businesses |
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#ThisPlaceMattersEveryone has places that are important to them. Places they care about. Places that matter. Participate in the national campaign that encourages people to celebrate the places that are meaningful to them and to their communities, like the the Ave in the U District. Use the #ThisPlaceMatters hashtag to share photos and stories of the Ave.
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