U District Alley
A Project to Build a Network of Public Open Space
Introducing our newest public open space for all to enjoy!
U District Alley Launch Party
Thursday, July 6th at 5pm at the alley by Café Allegro
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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The 'Agency of Materials' architecture studio who built the alley project.
Cutting the ribbon on the new public open space - The U District Alley
The ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Project
Collaborating with the Alley Community Council, we are proposing a project to implement the community-driven strategies from the recently adopted U District Alley Activation Plan (a large file at 12.6 Mb), which was developed by SvR Design, and in cooperation with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD).
Our project proposes to implement select strategies from the plan as a prototype and laboratory to test the activation concepts. All of these strategies reflect the popular approach for interventions that are 'light, quick, and cheap' as well as attainable with wide community participation. We have applied for a Neighborhood Street Fund grant from the City of Seattle. Learn about our project from a presentation (3.5 Mb) we prepared.
This project will focus on the following strategies:
1. Surface Treatment: To designate the alley as a pedestrian-priority space, a consistent pattern of paint will be applied to the existing alley pavement within the project boundary area. A painted surface treatment will provide traffic calming benefits for pedestrians and bikes as well as provide a highlighted space for public use and events.
2. Overhead Lighting: To improve nighttime safety, overhead tivoli lights will be strung across the projected boundary area above 26'. Tivoli lights will also distinguish the space as an inviting evening destination space for the community to enjoy.
3. Bicycle Parking: Reflecting the frequent shortage of adequate bicycle parking, the project will install vertical bike parking frames to maximize access to parking as efficiently as possible. The vertical bike racks would add an additional 8-10 bike parking spots for an already crowded parking location. These bike racks will be located out of vehicle right of way, on adjacent private property.
4. Garbage Containment: Taking advantage of the existing agreement between multiple entities on the alley to share trash, recycling & compost dumpsters, the project will prototype the centralization of these receptacles within an attractive and secure enclosure. This will reduce the visual clutter and errant litter in the alley while coordinating the shared use of a common resource.
5. Seating: Additional seating will be added in the form of counter height tables and stools (removable overnight). They will be located out of the right of way and out of vehicle traffic. The additional seating will provide a privately-managed, public space for the community to gather and aid in hosting community events.
The proposed solutions have wide community support from alley stakeholders including property owners Alfred Shiga, Unico Properties, Cafe Allegro, and has received letters of endorsement from The University District Partnership, The University District Community Council, The University Temple Board of Trustees, ROOTS Shelter, U District Square, The People's Hard Reduction Alliance, and Bulldog News.
Update - June 26, 2017
Team members installing the custom bike racks.
Team member installing the new hand-wrought bike racks.
Update - May 30, 2017
Fresh installation of untreated alley benches, built around existing planters.
Update - April 22, 2017
Along with volunteers from the University Temple Children's School, we replanted the plantings in the planter boxes that will support the new benches of the alley project.
Planting the Alley Planters
Update - March 29, 2017
The 'Agency of Materials' Studio of the UW School of Architecture, led by Senior Lecturer Jim Nicholls, began their academic quarter with a focus on the Alley Activation project. During the quarter, the graduate students will design, prototype, and build the alley installation.
The Agency of Materials Studio
Update - October 14, 2016
Success! Our project was awarded $7,000 for making our alley activation goals come true. The funds from the Neighborhood Matching Grant will be used to create additional bike parking, additional outdoor seating. We hope to leverage this funding with other sources to complete the entire project's goals: overhead lighting, pavement painting, and garbage containment.
Come help us activate OUR public alley!
Update - May 7, 2016
Just a quick announcement with the results from the voting at the NEDC meeting this past Thursday on the Neighborhood Street Fund grant applications.
We were successful in being selected to proceed!
Model of Proposal
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Alley Activation Model |
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Alley Lights For Parents Weekend |
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Alley Lights For Parents Weekend |
Letters of Endorsement for the Project
Endorsement by U District Community Council (73 kb)
Endorsement by U District Partnership (711 kb)
Endorsement by Alley Community Council (2,576 kb)
Endorsement by U District Square (79 kb)
Endorsement by University Temple United Methodist Church (2,940 kb)
Endorsement by University Temple Thrift Store (2,940 kb)
Endorsement by Emerald City Metro Church (2,940 kb)
Endorsement by Alfred Shiga (2,102 kb)
