Pioneer Square Small Business Support Program
Award
Announcement
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The Alliance for Pioneer Square is pleased to announce the award of funding to 23 projects totaling $120,000 through the Pioneer Square Small Business Support program.
The Pioneer Square Small Business Support program, made possible by $100,000 in funding from
Historic South Downtown
and an additional $20,000 from the
Sounders SC Rave Foundation
,
will support businesses in creating, sustaining, or enhancing an active online presence. A total of 86 applications were
received by the Alliance
in this award cycle.
The Alliance for Pioneer Square is pleased to support the resilience of Pioneer Square businesses and nonprofits. This opportunity will allow 23 businesses to continue operations and also set them up for success during the current reopening period. Businesses will be more prepared to adapt to future situations that require a more robust online presence.
"The Pioneer Square Small Business Support Program is an important part of the Alliance’s initiative to address critical needs to help stabilize our neighborhood’s small businesses so that they are able to remain in operation, maintain employment levels, and sustain workplace opportunities during the current COVID-19 pandemic", said Lisa Howard, Executive Director at the Alliance for Pioneer Square.
A Community Review Panel, with assistance from the Alliance staff, reviewed each of the 86 applications received and voted on a final 23 projects to receive funding. For more information about Pioneer Square's Small Business Support Program guidelines, decision making process and protocols visit the
program website.
100% of funds from the Small Business Support Program has been awarded to the following businesses in Pioneer Square:
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- J. Rinehart Gallery
- Arcana Metalwork
- Tat's East Coast Delicatessen
- Cafe Nordo
- Cone & Steiner General
- Two Doors Down Beer and Burgers
- Swift Industries
- Kinesia Pilates
- Flora and Henri
- Juan Alonso Studio
- H. Bailey Boutique
- The London Plane
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- M&M Jewelry Studio
- Luigis Italian Eatery
- Commissary Korean Kitchen
- Back Alley Bike Repair
- Planet Java Inc
- Lady Yum
- Bodytonic Pilates
- Koplin Del Rio
- Intrigue Chocolate Co.
- Salumi Salumi
- Hole In The Wall BBQ
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Read about each individual business and project
here.
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Support Pioneer Square Market Place
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The Alliance for Pioneer Square, in collaboration with DEI Creative, launched an online marketplace as a tool for member businesses to generate revenue through online sales during the Coronavirus pandemic.
On the
Pioneer Square Marketplace
site, shoppers can view curated selections of products and purchase directly from Pioneer Square boutique retailers, restaurants, bars, art galleries, salons and more. Businesses can also feature gift cards for purchase. The site includes a restaurant directory takeout/delivery function that links customers directly to Pioneer Square restaurants for easy ordering of takeout or delivery. The takeout section is a convenient way to help customers order food and support their favorite local restaurants through one online location.
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Pioneer Square's COVID-19 Journey to Recovery
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Meet Karen
Karen True is the Economic Development Director for the Alliance for Pioneer Square. As the city moves into the recovery phase and more and more businesses reopen in the neighborhood, Karen talks about the Pioneer Square business community and its inspiring journey through the statewide emergency order to recovery.
Neighborhood Recovery
Over the last few months, the people and businesses who make up Pioneer Square neighborhood have once again showcased creativity and compassion in the face of adversity. “The many actions by various individuals in our district will be the stuff of stories for a really long time,” Karen says. “We’ve witnessed businesses pivot to raise money, donate food and find impressive ways to support their employees’, customers and the community,” she continues.
Karen says while these past months have been a test of patience and resolve in lots of ways for businesses that had no choice but to close their doors and wait, many have shown a commitment and willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed in the neighborhood. “The businesses in Pioneer Square showcase amazing, quality products but their character and that of the neighborhood extends beyond the items you see on the shelves or display cases,” she states. Residents have also pitched in to help businesses and neighborhood efforts, acting as eyes on the street, customers and true friends. “Everyone who cares about the future of Pioneer Square has been working really hard, sometimes behind the scenes in ways most of us will never know, to support the broader neighborhood,” she expresses.
While a lot of good has come from undreamed of challenges, Karen says there is no getting around the heartache and the loss felt around businesses who won’t be returning, stating “they will always be a part of what makes Pioneer Square Pioneer Square. They will always be part of the story.”
As businesses are slowly reopening, and activity is slowly returning to Pioneer Square, the Alliance continues its work to find real ways to improve the neighborhood moving forward. “The challenges will be many, none of us have been here before and we are figuring it out together.”
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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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July First Thursday Art Walk Impacts
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Pioneer Square art galleries are now able to resume operations under Phase 2 of Washington State's Safe Start plan.
Many of Pioneer Square's galleries are open to the public and/or offering by-appointment visits.
Despite approval from Washington State for Phase 2 operations, July First Thursday will be promoted as a virtual-only event to ensure the safety of art gallery staff and art patrons. Please note, the First Thursday Free Parking program will not be in effect on Thursday, July 2nd.
We encourage Seattle's art community to check with individual galleries on their offerings on First Thursday and other days.
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Christl Marcontell, Owner of Kinesia Pilates.
The Alliance for Pioneer Square would like to thank the Pioneer Square art community, business owners and artists who have collaborated on Pioneer
Square's storefront mural project. Funding for this project is made possible by the generous contributions of the Pioneer Square BIA in partnership with the Pioneer Square Resident's Council, individual business owners and community donations.
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L-R:
Scott Torrey, CEO of Payscale; Sam Largent, Owner of Flatstick Pub.
Visit our
website
to see more artwork and take a virtual tour of all the murals in Pioneer Square through our
interactive map.
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Sound Transit and King County Metro Fare and Service Updates
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Sound Transit Impacts
On July 1st fare will resume on ST Express. Temporary
Recovery Fares began on Link light rail and Sounder trains on June 1. At the end of service on June 30, temporary recovery fares expire and fares return to regular full fares published for
Link light rail
and
Sounder
service.
More information about the resumption of fares can be found
here
.
Fare collection is dependent on the completion of safety measure being installed at the front of our buses, so some routes may continue to be fare-free until these measures are complete. At this time, Sound Transit continues to operate with a reduced service level due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More information can be found on the
Reduced Service
page.
King County Metro Impacts
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Upcoming Volunteer Opportunity
Would you like to get outside and give a few hours of your time to the neighborhood this summer? Have you heard of The Pioneer Square Residents' Council's (PSRC) public art project, "
Art Outside the Box
?"
The Pioneer Square Residents Council is getting ready to install art wraps on a second round of traffic signal boxes and needs your help! Each box needs to be thoroughly cleaned in preparation for the incredible, new works of art. Households are encouraged to sign up to volunteer together (to allow for as much social distancing between households as possible).
**Please note that face masks will be required for participation**
All supplies will be provided, so all you have to do is come out! The date and time of this opportunity is To-Be-Determined so stay tuned for more information. Please email the
residents council
if interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity.
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Seattle Historic Waterfront Grant:
Application Now Available
This one-time grant program will help fund the seismic retrofit planning or facade improvements of eligible properties that are identified historic resources, located within the
Area of Potential Effects (APE)
.
The Seattle Historic Waterfront Grant program is funded by mitigation money set aside as a result of the need to replace the historic Alaskan Way Seawall built in 1934. Properties that are historically designated will receive priority consideration.
Grant applications are
due on October 21, 2020
.
Applicants may request up to $25,000 in grant funds and must match at least 50% of the grant amount requested by contributing cash and/or donated labor or materials to the project.
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Occidental Square Park Pavilion Construction
Begins in July
Construction of a central performance pavilion, covered gathering area, and visitor kiosk is scheduled to begin the first week of July 2020 in Occidental Square, located at 117 S Washington St.
The project, led by general contractor Schuchart, is made possible through funding provided by donors to Seattle Parks Foundation in partnership with the Alliance for Pioneer Square.
A new wood and glass pavilion, which was designed by Olson Kundig Architects, will be built to replace the existing kiosk at the south end of the square, with a larger information and concierge center for enhanced park activation. The activation of the park is the result of five years of investment in staffing, programming, maintenance, and security. This new pavilion will serve as an outdoor classroom, a stage, a dining area and most importantly a covered space for use by the public. Completion of the project is expected in the Fall.
General footprint and access to the south end of the park will remain closed during construction. Restricted access from the current information kiosk to the alley adjacent to the Grand Central building is also expected throughout the duration of the project.
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SDOT Temporary Outdoor Cafe, Merchandise Display, and Vending Permits
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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will immediately begin accepting street use permit applications, which allow restaurants, retail stores, vending trucks and carts to operate in the sidewalk or curb space in front of their business.
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Pioneer Square COVID-19 Information and Updates Webinar
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The Alliance for Pioneer Square is hosting a series of virtual information sessions to present the most up-to-date information on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on Pioneer Square, relief and resources available from the City, State, and Federal government to all those impacted by the crisis, and the Alliance’s response to support our neighborhood.
Visit our
website
t
o sign-up for the next Pioneer Square COVID-19 Information and Updates session on
Friday, July 17th
from 1:30-2:30p and to
access recordings and presentation slides from previous webinars.
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Neighborhood Construction Updates
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Pioneer Square
Areaways Program
SDOT recently implemented a strict vehicle weight limitation, increased commercial vehicle enforcement, and modified commercial vehicle load zone locations beyond the 1st Ave corridor.
Curb lane restrictions on S Jackson St are currently in place that effectively close the street to heavy vehicles between 1st Ave S and 2nd Ave S. South Main St is open to local access for deliveries (unless otherwise restricted by posted signs) following the removal of the decommissioned trolley platform near Occidental Square.
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Waterfront Seattle Construction Ongoing on New Alaskan Way
Waterfront Seattle has begun building a new Alaskan Way.
Waterfront Seattle's initial work zones will span from S King to Marion streets. Activities include establishing work zones, mobilizing equipment, potholing work, breaking pavement and excavation for utility installation. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM with occasional overnight and weekend work.
Here's how you can stay up to date on Waterfront Seattle construction:
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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Construction Roundup
(Note: Most construction has resumed after being paused due to COVID-19.)
Best Western Annex
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BloodWorks Northwest Pop-Up Drive
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For the entire month of July,
Bloodworks Northwest
is hosting a blood drive at CenturyLink Field's Verizon Lounge.
In order to maintain social distancing guidelines, the drive is by appointment only which can be be scheduled
here
.
Alternatively, you can contact Bloodworks Northwest scheduling department at 1-800-398-7888 Ext 1 or e-mail
schedule@bloodworksnw.org
to book your appointment. Masks and face coverings are required for each visit.
Free donor parking is available at the CenturyLink Field Garage. (Garage entry on Royal Brougham Way between 1st and 4th Ave. Garage staff will direct guests to 5th floor.)
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Highlights:
(Seattle Refined)
Restaurant & Retail News:
(Seattle Eater)
Arts & Culture News:
(The Stranger)
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Find us on Facebook
Are you a resident or business owner in the neighborhood?
The Alliance for Pioneer Square recently created a
Facebook page.
This page will communicate resident and business owner specific news/information that to compliment our more general
Pioneer Square Facebook page.
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Alliance For Pioneer Square | 206.667.0687
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