Project Team

As the Executive Director of the U District Partnership (UDP), Don Blakeney brings with him fifteen years of local economic development and non-profit experience. Prior to the UDP, Don led advocacy and economic development for the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) and was also the Executive Director of the business improvement area in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Prior to returning to Seattle, Don worked for the Times Square Alliance—a business improvement district in Manhattan’s theatre district. Don earned masters degrees in both Public Administration and Urban Planning from Columbia University and has been actively involved in the Seattle community over the past decade. He co-founded Seattle’s first storefront arts program–Storefronts Seattle–and has served on a variety of boards including Historic South Downtown, Cornish College of the Arts, the Cal Anderson Park Alliance, Friends of the Benson Trolleys. Today, Don lives on Capitol Hill with his wife Erin.

Pete Chautavipat and his family are the owners of Little Thai Restaurant located on NE 42nd. They have been serving the community since 1991. Growing up and having worked on The Ave all his life, Pete is excited to offer local insight to the committee dedicated to bettering 42nd.

For over a decade, Cory has advocated for making the U District the best neighborhood in Seattle. He has served as the President of U District Advocates from its inception and has successfully managed and launched several projects: U District Parklet, U District Parks Plan Update, U District Small Business Vulnerability Study, U District Station Area Mobility Plan, among others. He is currently serving as President of the U District Community Council and is a part-owner of Bulldog News Café. Cory has a MArch from the University of Washington and is a LEED AP, having co-authored the LEED Reference Guide and Toolkit for version 2.0.

Seasoned pastor and leader with 27 years of experience in Vineyard churches, serving in steadily increasing roles from worship leader to executive pastor. Committed to helping people discover their identity and purpose in Jesus Christ, develop their relationship with the Father, and experience the fullness of life available to all through the power of the Holy Spirit. Skilled written and verbal communicator, worship leader, organizer, and planner who loves empowering and encouraging others in their God-given abilities. Skilled musician and worship leader passionate about empowering and training the next generation of worship leaders.

Pastor and owner of the Seattle Vineyard Church.

Jeffrey Hou, Ph.D., is Professor of Landscape Architecture and director of the Urban Commons Lab at the University of Washington, Seattle. His work addresses public space, democracy, community design, and design activism with a focus on the agency and engagement of marginalized social groups. Jeff has served as the technical advisor to the Waterfront Seattle Design Oversight Committee. He currently serves as the co-chair of Friends of Hing Hay Park in Seattle’s Chinatown International District.

Beth Mountsier was employed for nearly 30 years as planner, legislative analyst and government relations liaison with King County, Redmond, and Bellevue. The focus of her work ranged from affordable housing and human services policy and programs to monitoring and reporting on the work of county agencies delivering transportation, solid waste and wastewater treatment services. Prior to that she worked as a project manager and designer for architecture firms in Seattle and St. Louis. She holds a M. Architecture degree from the University of Washington. She is currently a partner/manager of Bulldog News and manager of SEVEN Market & Café and a board member at University Heights for 10 years.

Leah has been a property manager within the Green Steet area for over 25 years. As a third generation UW alumni and long term U. District resident, Leah has been a dedicated advocate for the neighborhood. Having been active in many neighborhood committees, projects, events, and public art installations over the years, she has developed a unique perspective. She is excited to lend her experience, enthusiasm for design, and long term neighborhood knowledge to this project.

As the U District Partnership's Urban Vitality Manager, Katy is responsible for leading engagement with community and public agencies on the infrastructure, policy, and planning projects that are shaping the U District. Katy also leads the UDP's major beautification efforts in the U District, including public lighting, mural and public art projects, street and sidewalk placemaking, and park planning and activation. Katy has extensive experience in the intersection of environmental and urban policy and equitable community development. Previously, she was a program manager with the national non-profit EcoDistricts, where she managed capacity building and training programs to help communities and municipalities implement sustainable and equitable neighborhood projects. Katy has a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance and a Bachelor of the Arts from The Ohio State University.