More Bright Sunshiny Days Ahead.
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This Month in Pioneer Square |
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- See the results of our Rain Garden planting event.
- Enjoy Free parking every Saturday and during First Thursday Artwalk in Pioneer Square
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Pioneer Square's
First Thursday Art Walk
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Join Seattle’s Original First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square. The art walk is FREE & self-guided, every First Thursday of the month and parking is free from 5pm to 10pm! Check out www.FirstThursdaySeattle.com to learn more about the event and how to obtain free parking during Art Walk.
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Go Down The Rabbit Hole with
Cafe Nordo in April
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Follow the white rabbit to the karaoke cabaret! Alice and friends return to The Knife Room at Nordo this spring with the audience favorite Down the Rabbit Hole.
This nonsensical cabaret features immersive pop-up art installations for you to wander through taking pictures, like “The Infinity Garden of Living Flowers” by Kate Jessup, “The Mad Hatter’s Tearoom” by Lusio Lights and the “Wonderland Menagerie” by Mandy Greer. You’ll dine on a locally crafted tasting menu of Eat Me’s, themed cocktails, with your favorite Lewis Carroll characters greeting you at your table. Reserve your seats today!
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Enjoy Seattle Restaurant Week at
Pioneer Square locations from April 3rd - 16th
Seattle Restaurant Week returns this in April to support the Seattle-area restaurant community.
Seattle Restaurant Week is a bi-annual prix fixe dining promotion that gives diners a unique chance to support the greater Seattle area’s culinary community, highlighting its craft, diversity, resilience, and great food. Visit the Seattle restaurant week website for participating Pioneer Square restaurants and boor your reservation today!
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Seattle's Original Wedding Rummage Sale Returns to AXIS Pioneer Square
HopeChest is Seattle’s Original Wedding Rummage Sale where couples can purchase discounted wedding decor, enjoy food & beverages from local vendors, and bid on awesome raffle items.
Join Hopechest on April 10th at AXIS Pioneer Square for a day of merriment, raising money and shopping. 100% of the proceeds go to Mary's Place, and tickets are available here.
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Looking For More To Do? Browse our calendar of events for more entertainment and events in the neighborhood in April.
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For Neighborhood Businesses
With the Sounders FC, OL Reign, and Mariners returning to the field, April will see plenty of foot traffic coming and going from the south end of the district.
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Uncovering The History Of Seattle's Central Waterfront
The central Seattle waterfront has layers of stories, many of them hidden from view like the beach that once welcomed Coast Salish canoes. Join HistoryLink historian Jennifer Ott on a one-mile walking tour across time to explore the piers and people, ships and railroads, and ever-evolving landscape of the waterfront.
This walking tour starts at Occidental Park, makes its way along the waterfront, and finishes at Pier 62. Register here to reserve free tickets. See our Visit Pier 62 page for tips on getting to the waterfront and frequently asked questions.
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Thank You Flatstick Pub!
Thank you to everyone who joined us last month for Sunday Fundraise at Flatstick Pub!
A big thank you to Flatstick Pub for hosting us as their Sunday Fundraise program recipient for the month of March to support the Alliance for Pioneer Square.
Learn more about Flatstick Pub's Sunday Fundraise program here.
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Save with Veo BikeShare
Save $5 with code PIONEERSQ on First Thursday Artwalk with Veo, one of Seattle's new bikeshare providers.
Learn more about their class II e-bikes in Seattle here.
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Rain Garden Planting Day:
Thank You Volunteers!
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Thank you to all the volunteers who joined the Alliance for Pioneer Square and Stewardship Partners Rain Garden Planting Volunteer last month. We hope that you enjoyed the event, learned something new, and connected with fellow volunteers!
The day was a huge success, and we deeply appreciate the time and effort you put into this area of the neighborhood. This ecologically beneficial beatification project is only a reality because of you and your dedication. Thank you for making Pioneer Square a better place for businesses, residents, workers, and visitors! See more from the day here. Please visit our website to learn more about the overall Green Space Improvement Project for this area.
Thank you to those of you who expressed interest in helping maintain the beds over the summer. We will reach out to you to coordinate support in a few months. In the meantime, please check out this maintenance guide put together by Stewardship Partners. Funding for this project was made possible by Historic South Downtown.
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Save The Date:
Annual Pioneer Square Spring Clean
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The Annual Pioneer Square Spring Clean is back!
Join us and a host of neighborhood volunteers on the morning of Saturday, May 21st to help give the neighborhood a little extra TLC. Team up with your fellow coworkers and neighbors for this community effort. All ages and abilities welcome!
Annual Pioneer Square Spring Clean
Date: Saturday, May 21st, 2022
Times: 9am-12p
The Spring Clean is a great way to make a positive difference in the community and make Pioneer Square an even more beautiful and welcoming neighborhood.
Registration begins at 8:30 AM in Occidental Square Park. Cleanup activities will launch at 9:00 am and go until 12:00 noon. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided during registration. A boxed lunch will also be provided to volunteers in the afternoon (vegan/vegetarian/gluten free options available). All volunteers will be entered into a raffle drawing for a special Pioneer Square prize, and everyone will receive free Pioneer Square swag for participating.
This year's, Annual Spring Clean Event will be held in coordination with the City's first One Seattle Day of Service. One Seattle Day of Service is a volunteer day bringing together a diverse group of public, private, and non-profit partners and organizations for a wide array of service opportunities ranging from cleaning up parks and streets, packing at food banks, donating blood, and more. All participants who attend our Spring Clean Event, will receive a free One Seattle Day of Service T-shirt.
Stay tuned for more information on the day's cleanup activities in upcoming communications.
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Pioneer Square Neighborhood Return to Office Survey Results |
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Recap:
COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan
Feedback Open House
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In early March, major employers began to signal their return to the office plans for their workforce, including Amazon and Expedia. In our neighborhood, Weyerhaeuser announced that their workers will return to their Pioneer Square office starting the week of April 18.
Following Weyerhaeuser's announcement, the Alliance reached out to several large upper floor employers to gain insight into their return to office needs and future plans. Some respondents noted their staff have been operating within the neighborhood under a full time or hybrid model for the past several months. The others strongly signaled their intent to partially bring their staff back to the office in April 2022 with more staff planned to be present by early June. We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces strolling along the streets of our one-of-a-kind district.
The Alliance continues to inspire returning office staff to engage with their neighborhood. To support a warm welcome to office staff, we’re asking neighborhood retailers to share with us specials or deals that’s like us to promote to returning faces. Retailers are encouraged to email specials and deals to us at info@pioneersquare.org to be featured on our Neighborhood Knowledge webpage.
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Throughout the month of March, we asked the Pioneer Square community to provide feedback on our COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan, which was released in March of 2020. In the month, We heard from business owners, property managers, residents, neighborhood employees, and visitors in person and online. We extend a big thank you to those who participated in the feedback process.
A summary of what we heard during the feedback process is now available on the Alliance Website for review.
We look forward to incorporating the feedback provided by the community into our ongoing and future programming as guided by our 2025 strategic plan.
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Monthly Staff Feature: Nikki Somers, Alliance for Pioneer Square Office Manager |
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Our Office Manager Nikki Somers brings organization and order to our team. Nikki manages our data, information, and financial systems.
April is a month of changes for both Nikki and for the Alliance for Pioneer Square. Nikki has accepted an opportunity in Mountlake Terrace and will be leaving at the end of this April.
The Alliance for Pioneer Square team is elated for Nikki and her opportunity to develop her professional career. We and our entire community will certainly miss her presence in the neighborhood.
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Pioneer Square Social Media
Takeover Program
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2022 De-escalation Trainings with the MID and Seattle Police Department |
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Each Friday, we give neighborhood businesses and organizations the opportunity to share a series of photo and video content to the Alliance for Pioneer Square’s social media channels via stories, feed posts and live video updates, for the entire day.
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Throughout 2022, the Alliance for Pioneer Square, in partnership with the Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) and Seattle Police Department, will offer 1.5 hour de-escalation and personal safety trainings to any interested business in Pioneer Square. The trainings will be held virtually, with the opportunity for participants to engage with the trainers.
The MID/SPD de-escalation training is an in-depth training program that teaches participants how to recognize, reduce and manage aggressive behavior. Over the course of the presentation, the MID will provide effective and compassionate methods of handling anxious or aggressive people, as well as increase confidence and introduce skills that can be used during threatening situations. Members of SPD will also present on personal safety techniques and field individualized questions from attendees.
If your business is interest in holding a de-escalation training, please reach out to chris@pioneersquare.org to begin the scheduling process.
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City Invests $8 Million in Economic Recovery Funding to Connect Small Businesses to Operating Capital
The City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) has announced an $8M investment to launch the Capital Access Program, a new partnership with local community development financial institutions (CDFI) that will connect small businesses to flexible working capital loans.
The new Capital Access Program will leverage city funding to lower the cost of Washington State Small Business Flex Fund loans for eligible small businesses by paying down 25% of the loan principal.
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Safe Start Permit Program Extended Through January 2023
The Seattle City Council has passed legislation that extends free café street and outdoor dining permits through January 31, 2023. The program enables restaurants and other retail storefronts to utilize streets outside of their businesses for outdoor dining or displays. Safe Start permits are currently set to expire on May 31, 2022.
Prior to that date all free, active, Safe Start temporary outdoor café, merchandise display, and vending permits for sidewalk and curb space use will be automatically extended. Free street closure permits will be reviewed individually for extensions.
The extension allows the Seattle Department of Transportation more time to complete proposals for the 2023 transition from temporary recovery program to long-term permitting options. The draft proposal will be made available to the public for review and comments later this spring. Visit the Safe Start permits web page for the latest information, and SDOT Blog for future updates on the program.
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Sign Up for Commute Seattle's
ORCA Business Program
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With the ORCA Business Passport program, employers buy all-inclusive, annual ORCA passes for all benefit-eligible employees at affordable rates, now with an extra 50% off through the ORCA Business Incentive.
Offering ORCA can also help businesses take advantage of pre-tax savings and comply with Seattle’s Commuter Benefits Ordinance. Employees can use their ORCA passes across the region on buses, light rail, ferries, streetcar, and more.
Enrollment is easy. Start saving today by reaching out to Commute Seattle to find the right ORCA Business program for you, and to learn if your business qualifies for a 50% discount.
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Neighborhood Construction Updates |
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West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions:
Public Comment Period for Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Closes This Month
The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) project will provide fast, reliable light rail connections to dense residential and job centers throughout the region. In addition, a new downtown Seattle light rail tunnel will provide capacity for the entire regional system to operate efficiently. These two separate Link extensions are part of the regional transit system expansion approved by voters in November 2016.
As a business, property owner or resident near a potential WSBLE route or station alternative, it is important to note the effects to residences and businesses and provide feedback to the Sound Transit Board to inform possible mitigation measures. Lean more about how West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) will impact Pioneer Square, what to expect as a project neighbor and how to provide input to the Sound Transit Board Board here.
Please note, sections of this project categorized under the Chinatown-International District (CID) segment include both Pioneer Square and the CID, with most WSBLE alternatives falling within the Pioneer Square Historic District. The new station will serve the south end of the district. WSBLE alternative and design options will affect accessibility and passenger transfer options.
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Waterfront Seattle Construction Ongoing on New Alaskan Way
Waterfront Seattle continues building the new Alaskan Way.
Earlier this year, Waterfront Seattle completed installing new roadway markings on the east side of Alaskan Way, allowing King County Metro buses to begin using the new northbound transit lane. King County Metro has opened two new bus stops, one northbound and one southbound, on Alaskan Way S near S Jackson St. New bus shelters will be added to the new bus stops this summer.
The Waterfront Seattle Program construction has contributed to building the foundations (including concrete and electrical infrastructure) needed for these new bus stops and transit lanes on Alaskan Way S, between S King and Columbia streets. Head to Waterfront Seattle's website for more information and to sign up for email updates. Text "WFSCN" to 474747 to receive text updates. You may also contact Waterfront Seattle via email or by phone at (206) 499-8040.
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Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program’s
New Connection on Railroad Way Underway
The work zone on First Avenue South has shifted toward the east curb lane. Crews placed gravel and temporary asphalt in the middle of First Avenue South, between South Royal Brougham Way and South Dearborn Street. The northbound travel lanes will be shifted west, atop this temporary asphalt, so crews can begin work on the eastern edge of the street.
Crews will eventually remove this asphalt and pour concrete in its place, but this temporary condition will keep traffic moving on First Avenue South while crews advance work on the east side of the street. This new work will take place south of the First Avenue South / Railroad Way South intersection, which will remain in its current configuration for the time being.
Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation expect to complete construction in late 2023.
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Pioneer Square
Areaways Program
SDOT recently completed safety inspections of the Pioneer Square areaways. Curb lane restrictions will remain in place while SDOT continues to monitor, evaluate, and strengthen the areaway street walls throughout Pioneer Square.
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Metropole Building Construction Updates
In 2019, Satterberg Foundation, a Seattle-based family foundation, purchased the historic Metropole Building, located at 423 2nd Ave Extension S. The primary motivation of this purchase was to provide centrally located, long-term office space for non-profit organizations committed to serving communities of color in response to social and environmental needs and challenges.
The re-design and renovation of the building has been curated with the careful consideration of the current and future needs of the community and will adhere to the highest sustainability standards including LEED Platinum Certification and compliance with the Seattle 2030 District Goals. The building will feature a childcare center, community event space, conference meeting space and private offices.
Construction plans to start in early 2022. Visit here for more information.
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Visit The Alliance for Pioneer Square’s website for an interactive project map and up to date information on of current and future public realm projects.
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Business News and Updates |
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COVID-19 Resources for Pioneer Square Small Business
The Alliance for Pioneer Square recognizes the public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 virus on Seattle’s small business community. We have compiled a series of resources intended to assist small business owners, managers, and employees minimize the public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 virus on themselves and their community. We will revise this and all associated pages with more information as it becomes available- please check back for updates.
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Find us on Facebook
Are you a resident or business owner in the neighborhood? The Alliance for Pioneer Square Facebook page communicates resident and business owner specific news/information to compliment our more general Pioneer Square Facebook page.
Pioneer Square Business Owners and Managers Facebook page: The Pioneer Square Business Owners & Managers Facebook group is a private platform providing business owners and managers in the neighborhood the opportunity to connect, ask questions and share support among one another while collectively navigating the current health crisis and resulting economic challenges. Request to join the group here.
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Please consider a gift to the Alliance for Pioneer Square, and help us to ensure Pioneer Square remains a strong, vibrant neighborhood. We cannot do it without you.
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Alliance For Pioneer Square | 206.667.0687
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