Change was everywhere in the University District today. Large apartment houses have gone up and I saw Proposed Land Use Action signs for three more 25-story apartments buildings.

I started my walk near the southeast corner of University Village and had to pass under the 45th Street viaduct to find the entrance to the pedestrian walkway up 45th Street. At the top of the viaduct, I spotted Fraternity and Sorority houses, Prince of Peace Catholic Newman Center, and utility poles used as bulletin boards. They sported posters for a Chess Club, a Geeky Open Mic, a Medical Horrors presentation and a Funk Odyssey.

Continuing  west on 45th, I came to Memorial Way and an entrance onto the campus.

Soon I could see the new Burke Museum, the new Law School building and University Congregational United Church of Christ.

Reaching "The Ave", I noted that three of the four corners of 45th and University Way have vacant storefronts. Bartell Drugs has closed, this bank building is for lease and the American Apparel store has closed. Continuing west on 45th, I passed the Neptune Theater and spied a newly vacant lot across the street. Before heading south on 13th, I noted that the Meany Hotel is now named the Graduate, and the UW is in the old Safeco building.

I was heading to the UW Arts Ticket Office but, getting there before it opened, I continued on to Artist and Craftsman on 8th just south of 45th. Walking west on Campus Parkway, I came to this underpass which took me under Eastlake and ...

over to Peace Park with its Sadako and the Thousand Cranes sculpture.

Heading north on 9th, I passed the newly renovated Christie Park with its impressive public art.

Before reaching Artist and Craftsman, I saw an large mural that that been graffitied, the Blue Moon Tavern and a collection of Apodments. After purchasing some art supplies, I walked east on 45th, observing a tiny house village before turning south on 12th.

After visiting the Art Ticket Office, I walked north on "The Ave" noting that a few old stalwarts remain despite the dramatic changes that have taken place over the years. Bull Dog News is still there but now devotes as much space to a coffee and ice cream as it does to newspapers and magazines. It even has sidewalk seating (as do quite a few of the nearby pubs and restaurants).

Cafe Allegro is still in the alley around back of Bull Dog News. Magus Used Books is still around the corner. Gargoyles Statuary is still up the street. But there are many changes. Radio Shack is now an H Mart; the old Nordstrom Place Two which became a Big 5 store is now vacant as is the old Tower Records. The Varsity Theater is still there but Buffalo Exchange is now an Urban Outfitter and there is a Target store (I think in the old Pagliacci Pizza location). My biggest shock was entering the University Book Store and seeing a drastic reduction in inventory. I guess that text books are mostly digital now.

I spotted the new Light Rail station, a City of Seattle Customer Service Center (it is closed on Mondays) and lots of Asian restaurants.

I discovered a Henry mural at the Inner Visions Framing shop before turning east and passing University Presbyterian Church ...

... and tree-lined streets of Fraternity and Sorority houses.

Walking back down the 45th Street viaduct and spotting University Village completed my 5 mile walk. The Apple Store that was once on "The Ave" is now in the Village as, I suspect, are many others stores that would have chosen an Ave location had the Village not expanded.