Outdoor dining in the University District. Photo Credit: University District Partnership. Back in December, we talked about our work on NE 43rd St near the UW. Construction began in August 2020 after about two years of planning and design. Here, we’re improving access to the U-District Link Light Rail station for people walking, rolling, biking, and taking transit. This long-awaited station and our multimodal design will transform how people get around the neighborhood.
We’ve completed most of our work on NE 43rd St including new sidewalks, roadway panel, curb ramps, and installation of the natural drainage system, new street lights, and painted the roadway.
New sidewalks on NE 43rd St in front of Kai’s Bistro, Samir’s and Sweet Alchemy. 
Current view of NE 43rd St facing east from University Way NE towards 15th Ave NE featuring new sidewalks, roadway, street lamps, and natural drainage system.
The sidewalks are now open for use, and the street between 15th Ave to University Way is open for people driving and biking westbound. NE 43rd St from University Way to the new Light Rail Station will remain closed until the U District Link light rail station opens in October, then will be open for Metro buses to travel westbound. This summer, we will install the new signal cabinet, poles, and new street trees.
On NE 43rd St, we’ve implemented curbless streets – shared streets where people walking, rolling, and biking are the priority. Various features like street trees and markings calm traffic, and direct and slow people driving, while offering flexibility in the way the street is used in the future.
We also intend for the improvements to benefit nearby businesses. As it becomes easier to walk, roll, and bike through the area, we envision more people traveling throughout the University District for exercise, dining, window-shopping, and real-shopping, too.
Without further ado – cue the University District Partnership (UDP)’s new outdoor dining plaza on NE 43rd Street!
“We are thrilled to launch this new outdoor dining plaza in the heart of the U District. With a concentration of over 100 delicious take-out options, the U District is the perfect destination for friends looking to safely dine outdoors in Seattle–simply grab take-out from your favorite restaurant and meet up in the NE 43rd Street Plaza to eat together.”
Don Blakeney, UDP Executive Director
As part of their Summer Streets program in the U District, UDP invites you to enjoy the new outdoor dining plaza on the recently renovated NE 43rd Street.
This outdoor plaza will last for the foreseeable future. You can expect more outdoor dining in the U District this summer thanks to future planned partnerships in the neighborhood. Learn more and see a map of all outdoor dining in the neighborhood here: udistrictseattle.com/summerstreets
These nearby businesses are a part of the outdoor dining activation.
- Sweet Alchemy
- Ugly Mug Cafe
- Samir’s Mediterranean
- Kai’s Bistro
- Mark Thai Food Box / Wann Yen Seattle
- Cedars of Lebanon
- Flower’s Bar & Restaurant
- Crossroads Trading
Today, May 7, you can also get a COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination pop-up location between NE 43rd St and University Way (The Ave) in front of Kai’s Thai Street Food and Bar.
The City of Seattle Office of Economic Development and Seattle Fire Department are working with the U District Partnership to host the vaccination pop-up. No appointments are needed, and walk-ups are welcome. This vaccination site will provide the Johnson and Johnson and Moderna vaccines.
Then, enjoy a beverage or bite to eat! If you’re vaccinated at this clinic:
- Big Time Brewery & Alehouse is offering 10% off
- Sweet Alchemy: is offering $1 off their ice cream
- Wann Yen / Mark Thai Food Box is offering $1 off their ice tea