Spring has Sprung in Pioneer Square |
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This Month in Pioneer Square |
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- Catch a cabaret show or grab a drink during Seattle Cocktail Week
- How about dinner and a show at Cafe Nordo?
- Join us for Sunday Fundraise at Flatstick Pub
- Enjoy Free parking every Saturday and during First Thursday Artwalk in Pioneer Square
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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.
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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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Springtime in Pioneer Square |
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Plan a trip to Pioneer Square this month and enjoy a number of events and programming happening throughout the neighborhood.
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Looking For More To Do? Browse our calendar of events for more entertainment and events in the neighborhood in March.
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Flatstick Pub Sunday Fundraise
Flatstick Pub strongly believes in helping others and building a stronger community inside and out.
Join us every Sunday this month at the Pioneer Square location for Flatstick's Sunday Fundraise where $2 of every beer and $2 of every round of golf will be donated to the Alliance for Pioneer Square in support of our programs. Alliance staff members will also be available to share more details about our work in the neighborhood.
Have fun and help make a difference each Sunday by simply playing mini-golf or buying a beer! Learn more about Flatstick Pub's Sunday Fundraise program here.
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Save the Date: Artist Trust 2022 Benefit Art Auction |
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The Artist Trust Board of Trustees and staff invites you to connect, celebrate, and support Washington State artists! Join them for a hybrid of online and in-person art auction and three signature events at AXIS Pioneer Square from April 7-24.
Proceeds benefit Artist Trust's funding, training, and resources for individual artists of all disciplines across Washington State. If you are interested in donating art, please contact [email protected] with details and images of your piece. Tickets will be available soon at www.artisttrustauction.org.
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2022 BIA Inspiration Fund
Now Open
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The Pioneer Square BIA is excited to open the application period for the 2022 Inspiration Fund. In 2021, the Purpose Dignity Action were selected as fund recipients to support their storytelling project regarding CO-LEAD program participants. The 50 page color book will be designed and printed by Chatwin Publishing. Copies of the book will be free to pick up at Arundel Books once available.
This year, the BIA is matching volunteer hours and/or funding up to $10,000 for community members to implement projects and programs making a positive impact in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. Project goals include celebrating neighborhood diversity, enhancing public spaces, and neighborhood storytelling. The BIA encourages applicants to propose their best and most creative ideas. Potential projects might include work around murals, art, workforce development, alleys, public area improvements, cleanup, experiences, or events.
Applications are now open and applicants must submit a completed Application Form with required documentation (if applicable) by email to [email protected], no later than May 22, 2022 at midnight. Visit our website for grant application, details and eligibility.
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Drop By Our
COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan
Feedback Open House
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It is important for the Alliance to know your vision for Pioneer Square, so we want to hear from you. In 2020, owing to drastic changes in our neighborhood landscape as a result of the pandemic and to guide our work over the next 18 months, we created the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan. The Alliance for Pioneer Square’s COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan tells the story of what we have done, what we are doing, and what we planned to do in the period immediately following the immediate COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
Two years into the pandemic, we again want to engage community members on our recovery efforts to date and, to learn and gather feedback as we move forward into recovery. You’re invited to attend an online and in person open house to share feedback on the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan, provide inspiration for additional neighborhood improvements, and connect with neighbors.
The Alliance will host two in person open house sessions on March 10, 2022 from 9-10:30a and 3-4:30p at Cherry Street Coffee House to hear from community members.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan Feedback Open House
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2022
Times: 9-10:30a and 3-4:30p
(No registration is required for the in-person open house- just drop in.)
Please note, face masks will be required at all times during the event.
The Alliance is seeking feedback online beginning March 1st through March 31st. Share your ideas here. Feel free to submit multiple ideas! This process is supported in part by Historic South Downtown.
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Monthly Staff Feature: Thembela Mavuso, Alliance for Pioneer Square Marketing Manager |
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Thembela serves as the Alliance’s Marketing Manager, applying creative marketing strategies to achieve its communication goals.
This month we catch up with her to talk all things marketing and discuss what folks can look forward in the near future
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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.
Fill out the Google Form to get started with the process or email our Marketing Manager, Thembela Mavuso at [email protected] i f you have any questions.
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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 [email protected] to begin the scheduling process.
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Port of Seattle Announces 2022 Cruise Schedule |
The Port of Seattle has unveiled its preliminary cruise schedule for 2022, with 296 scheduled sailings bringing an estimated 1.26 million passengers through its two cruise ship terminals. The first ship is scheduled to arrive on April 11th.
The seven major brands homeporting in Seattle will be sailing 15 vessels, up from 11 from past seasons. It is anticipated that the number of passengers per ship will vary by sailing and will increase as the season progresses.
The Port of Seattle continues to work with local public health officials to ensure the health and safety of passengers, crews, and the community. As in 2021, the Port and cruise lines will adopt detailed agreements documenting COVID prevention and response plans on vaccinations, testing and quarantine procedures. Cruise lines are also detailing how they will participate in the United States Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Program for Cruise Ships.
Cruise lines operating out of Seattle this year are also expected to stop in Canada and must also meet Canadian vaccination and testing requirements. Later this spring, the Port, cruise lines, and tourism partners will host a pre-season webinar to answer community questions about the upcoming cruise season. Registration links will be communicated once details are confirmed. For more information on this year’s cruise season, please visit the Port of Seattle’s cruise website.
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City Renter Protections Extend Beyond Eviction Moratoria
The city of Seattle's eviction moratoria expired on February 28th 2022. The eviction moratoria has been in place for much of the COVID-19 pandemic and renters living in Seattle will continue to have other protections that will be in effect at the start of March 2022.
Under City law, renters can defend themselves in an eviction proceeding by declaring their failure to pay rent is due to a financial hardship. This eviction defense is in place for 6 months after the eviction mortarium ends or as long as the City’s COVID emergency proclamation is in place. Renters also have ongoing protection against eviction for unpaid rent if they show it was caused by a financial hardship and that it occurred during the civil emergency. The City requires landlords to offer payment plans for back-rent up to six months after the civil emergency ends.
Renters facing eviction are entitled to free legal assistance, funded by the City of Seattle, through the King County Bar Association’s Housing Justice Project. For detailed information, visit city's Eviction Assistance website website. The City of Seattle’s Renting in Seattle helpline is also available during most business hours at 206-684-5700.
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New Bus Stops opened on Alaskan Way S, serving southwest Seattle and King County neighborhoods |
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These stops serve bus routes 55, 56, 57, 113, 120, 121, 125, and the RapidRide C Line. Each of these routes serve neighborhoods in West Seattle and nearby Duwamish Valley communities. 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.
These new bus stops will improve transit between southwest King County and downtown Seattle, and provide better connections for everyday travel, major sports events, and more. To Learn more email or call the Waterfront Seattle team at (206) 499-8040.
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Seattle Restaurant Week
Spring 2022 from April 3 - 16
Registration is now open for Seattle Restaurant Week which runs from April 3rd to the 16th. Seattle Restaurant Week returns this spring 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. Participation is free and the deadline to register is March 18th.
Visit the Seattle restaurant week website for more details and to signup.
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Neighborhood Construction Updates |
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Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administrative
Release the West Seattle and Ballard Link
Extension Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project is now seeking public review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Explore the online open house to learn more about the project, read the Draft EIS document and take a tour of potential station alternatives across the entire project corridor, for both the West Seattle and the Ballard Link Extensions.
Comments must be received by April 28th. Your feedback will be shared with the Sound Transit Board of Directors before they confirm or modify the preferred alternative. The Board will select the project to be built after the Final EIS is published, which is expected in 2023.
In addition to learning about and commenting on the Draft EIS through the online open house, there will be multiple opportunities to connect with project staff, ask questions, and share your input. Click here for online public meetings, in-person drop-in events and more opportunities to get involved.
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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 new southbound lanes on the west side of Alaskan Way, including a southbound transit lane.
Last month, 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.
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 2022.
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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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