Fremont Neighborhood Profile

The Fremont district, self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe” is, without a doubt, the most eclectic and unique neighborhood in the Seattle area and possibly in the United States. Although minutes from downtown Seattle, perched on the north side of the ship canal by the Fremont Bridge, Fremont doesn’t attract a lot of tourists. It does attract a lot of Seattle residents who flock to this area to enjoy lunch in the various restaurants and browse through the offbeat, quaint and peculiar shops or explore one of the many events Fremont hosts during the summer months.

You will find art galleries galore, vintage clothing and “junk” stores along with scores of tattoo parlors doing a land office business. Fremont was the home of the original Red Hook Brewery (now based in Woodinville) as well as several other microbreweries and pubs. The nightlife finds the pubs bursting with crowds of locals listening to the various bands, trios and singers that local pubs host.

Fremont is located between North 46th Street/North Market Street on the north side; east is Stone Way North; west is 8th Avenue NW and south is Lake Washington Ship Canal and the Fremont Bridge.

Most people in the Fremont area either bike or walk to go to work, to play in the area or hang out with their friends. There are several bus lines available too. The following King County Metro Transit routes serve Fremont:

Weekdays and Weekends: 5, 26, 28, 31, 46, 74, 82

Fremont is primarily residential although recently a lot of commercial growth has occurred. Despite this construction, the neighborhood has maintained its delicate balance of bohemian culture and middle-class comfort. It is a very close-knit community popular among low and middle-income families and is still affordable for first-time homeowners. There are pockets of lovely 1920s Craftsman-style bungalows east of Fremont Avenue North along with small cottages and some larger Seattle box-type homes now converted to duplexes.

Rentals: The best way to find a rental in Fremont is to walk or bike through the area and look for signs. Rentals are usually snapped up before they hit any of the media outlets although Seattle's Craigslist can be an excellent source. Fremont is near the University District so rentals are at a premium.

Fremont abounds with restaurants of all types from vegan to Ethiopian to Greek to pub fare. The Blue C Sushi is a popular hangout but the number one spots to go to are Hale's Ales or Costas Greek restaurant.

During the summer, Fremont is the host of the Sunday Market which makes goods from local artists and artisans. The popular Puget Consumers Co-op on North 34th offers local grown fruits and vegetables. One weekend in June Fremont devotes to the summers solstice and they have a famous Solstice Parade and Fremont Fair. It attracts thousands of people, but if you go be aware that the parade features mostly nude people with body paint in various designs.

On Saturday evenings a parking lot at N. 35th and Phinney Ave. becomes the site for the Fremont Outdoor Cinema. Admission is $5 and you provide your own seating.

There are several schools in Fremont from primary through high school to training schools, academies and more. I Love Fremont offers a comprehensive list.

• Fremont Neighborhood Council: 3518 Fremont Ave. N. #111; 206-781-6624
• Fremont Neighborhood Service Center: 908 N. 34th St.; 206-684-4054
• Fremont Public Association Community Resource Center: 1501 N. 45th St.; 206-694-6700
• Fremont Public Library: 731 N. 35th Street; 206-684-4084

One Fremont landmark which does attract tourists by the busload is the Fremont Troll. This salient structure is perched under the Aurora Bridge just off 36th Street. The Troll glowers at you with his one eye made out of a VW hubcap while kids of all ages try climbing up the Troll. Under his left hand is a full-size actual VW bug. In 1989 the Fremont Arts Council set up a national competition in order to do something under the Aurora Bridge rather than let it become a habitat for the homeless or a tire dump. Sculptor Steve Badanes was voted the favorite by an overwhelming majority and the Fremont Troll came into being. This is truly a curious and bizarre landmark but fits quite comfortably in Fremont.

As you wander the streets of Fremont you will see many other landmarks that are notable. Near the Fremont Bridge is a sculpture "Waiting for the Interurban," which shows six figures, including a small dog, cast in aluminum waiting at the bus stop. Richard Beyer is a noted Washington sculptor and was on the Fremont Arts Council committee when a sculptor was chosen for the work (since no one applied, he chose himself). Committee member (and honorary mayor) Armen Stepanian disagreed and the two squabbled. Beyer ultimately got his revenge by making the dog's face resemble Stepanian. The statues are frequently decorated with ties or hats and on special holidays they are decked out in appropriate attire. This is one of Seattle's most beloved pieces of sculpture and not to be missed.

Continuing on, you will discover a Rocket sticking out of one of the shops and suddenly you will be confronted with a 30-ton bronze sculpture of Lenin by Emil Venkov, a noted European artist. The statue was originally erected in communist Slovakia, but once communism was abolished the statue was also a sad reminder of times the people wanted to forget. An American bought the statue, mostly for the value of the bronze itself and shipped it to the United States. The original American passed away before he was able to do anything with the statue and since it is difficult to sell a house with a 30-ton bronze statue of Lenin in the driveway, they offered it to the Seattle area to get it off their hands. The Fremont Chamber of Commerce is now in the process of trying to raise the money to purchase the statue, but have not succeeded in this goal yet. This controversial statue is frequently decorated with lights or sometimes a red clown nose. In funky Fremont this is just the way things are.