January News + Updates
This Month in Pioneer Square
Press
Highlights




  • Another successful holiday coat and supply drive

  • Tips to support Pioneer Square Businesses

  • And More!
Best Shots of the Square
Want to be featured? Tag us (@pioneersquare) on your photos of the neighborhood and your picture could be chosen as the best shot of the month.
Pioneer Square's
First Thursday Art Walk
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.
Pioneer Square
Openings and Re-openings
Señor Carbón Peruvian Cuisine and Yellow Butterfly Coffee now open in Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is now home to a brand new Peruvian restaurant and Puerto Rican coffee shop.

Senor Carbon brings traditional Peruvian cuisine with a fusion of Peruvian ingredients and Chinese recipes. The wide-ranging menu includes soups and stews like chupe de langostino, and pork adobo, sushi options and, dishes like salmon in ponzu sauce with roasted sesame. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and intends to add a breakfast menu and rotisserie chicken options later.

Yellow Butterfly Coffee is a Puerto Rican coffee brand that made Seattle their headquarters in 2021. Their coffee comes from the region’s of Tres Picachos and is cultivated by Jose "Macho” Martinez. Yellow Butterfly Coffee is open Monday to Saturday 6:30a-7p.
Klondike Gold Rush 
National Park Store Now Open

Seattle's National Park Store has reopened inside the Klondike Gold Rush National Park.

The store is open at the same hours as the park, Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by and pay them a visit. They have lots of great items, including a variety of park passes!

Proceeds from sales are returned to the park and other public lands to support visitor services, youth programs, special events.
Collaborate with your team at Expansive Workspace

Take advantage of new seasonal pricing to get out of the house and collaborate with your team at Expansive Pioneer Square, the beautiful 1892 building at 600 1st Ave.

Expansive offers workspace from offices and meeting rooms to full plug & play suites. Take a tour and stay for a free day pass to see how we help people and companies thrive! Click here: https://expansive.com/pioneer
Events on the Waterfront
Enjoy fun events & programs at Pier 62.

From free yoga sessions, local food trucks and music, free fitness and workout programs and more, there is something for the whole family.
Free Parking Saturdays

Parking is free at the Butler Garage (114 James St) from 11a-8p each Saturday with proof of purchase from a neighborhood business. You can also check out the mobile-friendly DowntownSeattleParking.com website for more parking locations throughout the neighborhood.
Looking For More To Do? Browse our calendar of events for more entertainment and events in the neighborhood in November.
Holiday Coat Drive a Success
Donation Pick-up of $1400 worth of goods from American Life Insurance company.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated to the Alliance for Pioneer Square and Pioneer Square Residents’ Council coat and supply drive in support of the Purpose Dignity Action’s JustCare program.

Thanks to your generous donations, a collection of coats, gloves, scarves, blankets, hygiene supplies and more will be distributed directly to individuals formerly living in Pioneer Park who received temporary housing and services last year.

A special shoutout goes out to the following:

  • Cheers to American Life Insurance (known to us as "Hawk Tower") for their generous donation/shopping spree of needed items totaling $1400.
  • To Shawn O'Donnell's at the Smith Tower, Cone & Steiner, and Cafe Umbria for hosting neighborhood drop off boxes.
  • To our resident homes: The Florentine, The Gridiron, The Nolo, The Wave, The Terry Denny, and The Corona for hosting boxes and encouraging residents to donate goods.

This will further the JustCare program’s mission to engage in outreach, service provision, and temporary housing to the unhoused individuals in Pioneer Square.
Four Ways to Support Pioneer Square Businesses
Supporting Pioneer Square businesses is easy. Encourage your colleagues to explore these tips for keeping Pioneer Square a vibrant, lively neighborhood.

  • Get a local lunch delivered! Pioneer Square is home to a diverse mix of restaurants, cafes and bars offering tasty catering options for all types of needs. Whether you need lunch delivered for a team meeting or for the whole office, consider using a Pioneer Square business first. We’ve compiled many options for your convenience.

  • Host an event in an iconic space! Pioneer Square boasts amazing, personality-filled venues to suit a variety of events. Whether you are setting up a corporate meeting, luncheon, holiday party or wedding, you’ll be sure to have an affair to remember. Find a full list of restaurants and event venues in our 2021-2022 online neighborhood business listings map .

  • Leave a review and encourage others too! Love a neighborhood business? Did you know 97% of people read reviews of local businesses and that 90% of buyers use reviews to help make decisions about a purchase? Learn how to leave the perfect online review with a short video tutorial from retail consultant, Merchant Method.

  • Stay up-to-date on the latest neighborhood news! Pioneer Square businesses, the Alliance for Pioneer Square, and the Downtown Seattle Association have many exciting events and activations planned throughout 2021. Stay up-to-date on the latest neighborhood happenings by following our neighborhood social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Also don't forget to check out our neighborhood event calendar. And, be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter for neighborhood news, stories, and all things Pioneer Square.
 
We think Pioneer Square is a special place. A place that is creative, forward thinking, and diverse. We hope you will join us in keeping Pioneer Square one of the greatest neighborhood in Seattle. 
Pioneer Square Social Media
Takeover Program
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. Fill out the Google Form to get started with the process or email our Marketing Manager, Thembela Mavuso at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Partner Efforts
City extends ORCA Recovery Card Program through the end of 2022

Last month, Mayor Durkan announced that the ORCA Recovery Card Program, which provides free ORCA cards to essential workers in Chinatown-International District and Pioneer Square, will extend through December 31, 2022. 

The program supports small business recovery by assisting employees in traveling or returning to work, helps people save money on transportation and encourages them to take transit more which helps the city meet sustainability goals.

Those who received the card during the summer can continue using the same card free of charge for another year to help get them to where they need to go affordably and efficiently. The city recognized the benefits of the ORCA Recovery Card with 91 percent of people using transit more frequently than they did before receiving their ORCA card, according to a survey conducted by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

Eligible individuals and businesses that did not receive an ORCA card can visit the Recovery Card Program website or email [email protected] to request one.
Seattle Office of Economic Development Launches Seattle Restored, Matching Local Small Businesses and Artists with Vacant Downtown Storefront

The Seattle Office of Economic Development is partnering with Seattle Good Business Network and Shunpike to match 25 vacant downtown Seattle storefronts with pop-up shops and art installations. 

These projects will benefit neighborhoods, small businesses, artists and property owners by creating vibrant and engaging streetscapes that encourage the public to visit downtown Seattle, support local businesses and support local artists—particularly Black, Indigenous, and other entrepreneurs and artists of color. This program is funded by the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFR) established under the American Rescue Plan.  

Seattle Restored storefronts will be open from December 2021 through April 2022, providing flexible short-term activations that run for two to four months. There is no cost to participate, and the program will provide $2,500 in working capital to each participating small business and artist.  

Applications for Seattle Restored are open on a rolling basis until storefronts are filled. Visit Seattle Restored for more information, eligibility, requirements, and to apply.
Neighborhood Construction Updates
Waterfront Seattle Construction Ongoing on New Alaskan Way

Waterfront Seattle continues building the new Alaskan Way. In November, Alaskan Way underwent a flurry of work and traffic shifts in preparation for opening new improvements on the waterfront. The new improvements include new sidewalks, pedestrian space, and bike facilities on the west side of the street as well as a new southbound transit lane.

Improvements continue along Alaskan Way S including curbs at S Main St, telecommunications upgrades for compatibility with 4G and 5G technology, and construction of medians and bus stop shelters. To keep things moving during construction, temporary lane closures and pedestrian detours are expected to continue. 

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.
Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program’s
New Connection on Railroad Way Underway

Work is now underway on the final project of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program, which will build a new Railroad Way and make other significant improvements near the south end of the State Route 99 Tunnel. Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation expect to complete construction in late 2022.
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. 

For more information, please visit the SDOT Areaways webpage or contact the SDOT Areaways team at [email protected] or 206-684-3760.  
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, please visit
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.
Business News and Updates
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.






Stay Engaged!
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.
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.
Alliance For Pioneer Square | 206.667.0687