Policy & Advocacy

Since 2022, UDP has been leading a conversation to study the possibility of building a lid over I-5 between NE 45th and NE 50th Streets. In 2023, UDP led a community visioning workshop for the lid. 2024 activities include community advocacy and outreach to public officials and education and engagement at local events.

The UDP-led Arts and Culture Initiative focuses on creating long-term partnership and vision to support the diverse arts and culture organizations in the U District. Through a series of large stakeholder group meetings and small working group meetings, the initiative has created a vision and strategic short and long term directions for a collaborative effort. In 2023, UDP secured $87,000 in funding from the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture to support 13 U District arts organizations’ events and programming. Priorities for 2024 include an inventory of U District arts and culture assets and spaces, and application to the State’s Creative District’s program.

UDP served as a major advocate and liaison to the City of Seattle through the design and finalization of the draft Seattle Transportation Plan and Levy. In these planning efforts, the UDP advocates for safe and cohesive mobility for cyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and drivers to and through the U District. UDP also helped secure funding for projects that will enhance the U District’s multimodal infrastructure, including the Burke Gilman Trail, Lid I-5 North, and the NE 42nd Street Green Street. Learn more about the Seattle Transportation Plan and proposed 2024 Levy. 

Through 2025, the City of Seattle will draft and adopt the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan and U District sub-area plan to plan for the next decade of growth in the region and neighborhood. UDP serves as an advocate and liaison for these planning efforts, prioritizing growth and prosperity of our business community and the unique and growing built environment of our buildings and major commercial corridors. 

The City of Seattle and U District neighborhood suffer from a dearth of public restrooms.The lack of public restrooms creates undue burden not only on those in need of an easily accessible restroom, but also on the business and property owners who are left responsible for providing the service. UDP provides ongoing advocacy and policy solutions to locate and fund an accessible, staff, and maintained public restroom in the U District.