Pioneer Square is in Full Bloom this May
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This Month in Pioneer Square |
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- Shop all things vegan at Pioneer Square's newest vegan grocery store!
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Shave dollars off with Veo bikeshare on First Thursday Artwalk
- Apply for the Pioneer Square Façade Improvement Fund
- Enjoy Free parking every Saturday and during First Thursday Artwalk in Pioneer Square
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New Businesses to Visit
in Pioneer Square in May
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Vegan Grocery Isle of Plants
Now Open in Pioneer Square
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Isle of Plants, a vegan grocery store located at 216 Alaskan Way S, in Pioneer Square is now open for online orders and curbside pickup.
The store offers a 100% vegan shopping experience, from clothes, groceries, to food and drinks. Visit their website here.
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Open Books: A Poem Emporium
Moves into the Good Arts Building
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Open Books, a poetry-only bookstore & community space, recently reopened its store in the Good Arts Building.
The store features an assortment of new, rare, and out-of-print poetry books, chapbooks, journals, and more. Shop online here or visit the store at 108 Cherry Street in Pioneer Square.
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Pottery Northwest's New Studio
to Open This Month
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The new Pottery Northwest studio, housed in the bottom level of the Foster/White Gallery in Pioneer Square, will officially open later this month.
Founded by a group of local artists, Pottery Northwest celebrates innovation and access to education in ceramics, with a mission of fostering an inclusive community around clay. Learn more about Pottery Northwest's ceramic art studio, classes, residence program and gallery here.
Pottery Northwest is currently seeking passionate volunteers, who are excited about championing it's mission and strategic priorities, to join it's Board of Directors. Visit here to learn more.
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Seattle Restored Program Launces Pop-up Shops
and Art Installations in Pioneer Square
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The Taswira pop-up shop, located in Pioneer Square. Photo Courtesy of OED |
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These projects are aimed at benefiting 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 artists — particularly Black, Indigenous, and other entrepreneurs and artists of color.
Check out this map for locations throughout Pioneer Square and Downtown or view listings here to find out more about the pop-ups and art installations!
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Looking for Thing To Do? Browse our calendar of events for more entertainment and events in the neighborhood in May.
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For Neighborhood Businesses
With the Sounders FC, OL Reign, and Mariners returning to the field, May will see plenty of foot traffic coming and going from the south end of the district.
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Secret Chamber Music in Pioneer Square:
Price, Haydn, and Beethoven with Contemporary Sculpture
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The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra will present it's next chamber music series event at a secret location in Pioneer Square on Friday, May 6 at 7:30p.
The event will feature intimate music, hosted drinks, contemporary sculpture and other visual art. Tickets and information can be found here.
Reserve your spot and the location of the event will be sent to you via email. Please note, masks and proof of vaccination are required for entry.
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4Culture Gallery Reopens
With New Show by Nate Clark
4Culture's gallery, located at 101 Prefontaine Pl S, is set to reopen this month with Squinch from Nate Clark. The gallery is also celebrating 50 years of gallery exhibitions with the publication of Remark, and will have free copies on hand.
Squinch opens on Thursday, May 5th from 5 to 8pm and runs until May 27th. Visit 4 Culture's website to learn more about the show.
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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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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!
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Announcing the 2022 Pioneer Square BIA Inspiration Fund Award Recipients |
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The Pioneer Square BIA is excited to announce the recipients of the 2022 Inspiration Fund!
Project goals for this year included celebrating neighborhood diversity, enhancing public spaces and neighborhood storytelling. The Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area (BIA) has granted a total of $10,000 in matches to support two projects that align with these goals and are making a positive impact in the Pioneer Square neighborhood in 2022.
The first is a community performance art piece by neighborhood artist Tariqa Waters of Martyr Sauce Pop Art Museum and Gallery, that encourages the public to engage with Pioneer Square’s vibrant community and supports local artists, creatives and small businesses. The aim is to playfully showcase the warm, welcoming and diverse elements that make our neighborhood so wonderful.
In celebration of Pioneer Square the project, a “musical styled” dance video choreographed by dancer Kisha Vaughn filmed in various small business, shops and parks throughout Pioneer Square, will highlight an array of artists, creatives, small businesses and community leaders throughout the neighborhood. The video will be streamed online and is set to premiere at an event slated for this August in Pioneer Square.
Visit here for a sneak peek and the latest updates.
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The second is a cabaret-style musical revue by Rose Cano and David Nyberg of Creative Hiatus Productions that brings awareness, understanding, acceptance and laughter to those who visit Pioneer Square. The performance titled "People In the Square" will run in August 2022 and support local and diverse performers, musicians and production crew.
People In the Square will be produced in the basement of the Good Arts Building, converting Beneath the Streets Seattle Underground History Tours headquarters into a cabaret-type theatrical venue. Visit here to learn more about People in the Square.
The Alliance will keep the community updated regrading these projects as they progress. Congratulations to the 2022 award recipients!
Be sure to keep an eye out for the 2023 Inspiration Fund application period next year.
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Applications Now Open:
Pioneer Square Façade Improvement Fund
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The Alliance for Pioneer Square is excited to announce open applications for the Façade Improvement Fund, a financial support program for businesses and properties in the district.
The Façade Improvement Fund is intended to provide financial support to Pioneer Square business and property owners who embark on projects to improve the overall appearance of their building facades and storefronts. Funds may be used to reimburse costs of materials and labor including, but not limited to, the following types of projects:
- Fresh coat of paint
- Lighting Improvements
- Cafe Seating
- Planters
- Façade repairs & upgrades
- Broken door lock replacement
- Broken window replacement
- Professional cleaning
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Only properties and businesses within the Pioneer Square District boundaries will be eligible to apply. Funding awards will be capped at $5,000 and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Funds will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. The deadline to apply for funding is August 31, 2022.
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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
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.
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On May 3rd and 4th, the Alliance for Pioneer Square is partnering with GiveBIG and 501 Commons to ask for your help as we continue to support the neighborhood through recovery.
The Alliance for Pioneer Square is on the forefront of vital conversations impacting our district, serving as a full-time advocate, resource, and champion for Pioneer Square. Your generous support is critical to our success and allows us to continue our work, making Pioneer Square the best neighborhood in Seattle.
During the GiveBIG statewide fundraising campaign, individuals and organizations come together across Washington to invest in their communities. Mark your calendar for May 3rd and 4th 2022 and bookmark this giving link to make a donation during this 48-hour giving event. You may also donate anytime through the Alliance website.
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Monthly Staff Feature: Jessa Timmer, Alliance for Pioneer Square Deputy Director |
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Deputy Director, Jessa navigates the many public and private investments in Pioneer Square’s public realm.
Her extensive background in community engagement and organizational leadership is instrumental in building and maintaining relationships with a varied population of stakeholders.
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Welcome Alissa Bolla to
the Alliance for Pioneer Square!
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Our newest team member, Alissa Bolla, joined the Alliance for Pioneer Square in March 2022.
In her role as Office Manager, she provides support to the programs and projects taking place in Pioneer Square. She supports the Alliance team in their endeavors and goals in keeping Pioneer Square a dynamic community.
As a former resident of Pioneer Square, she is also a resource for various business partners in the neighborhood and the Alliance is excited to have her on board. A warm welcome to Alissa!
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Pioneer Square Social Media
Takeover Program
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Neighborhood Discounts and Specials |
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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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With several larger employers bringing back their workforce to Pioneer Square after nearly two years of remote work, we want to give your staff a warm welcome!
The Alliance has created a web page and a one page document for the returning upper floor office staff to make the transition back to the office as seamless as possible. In addition to providing returning workers with information on how to engage with the neighborhood and shop local, we are also rounding up neighborhood retailers’ discounts or specials for upper floor folks.
If your staff need additional resources to support their return to work, please contact us at info@pioneersquare.org.
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City of Seattle Redistricting Process
This year, Seattle will be adjusting the boundary lines of the seven Seattle City Council Districts to ensure that each district represents a similar population.
Pioneer Square is currently divided into Council District 2, represented by Tammy Morales (Southeast Seattle, including portions of Chinatown-ID, Rainier Valley, and SODO) and Council District 7, represented by Andrew Lewis (Downtown, Queen Anne, Magnolia). The Seattle Redistricting Commission has begun the process of examining how to redraw the boundaries of Seattle's seven City Council Districts. To date, the Commission has proposed four draft maps as starting points for discussion. These maps can be viewed here.
Last month, the Alliance hosted an information session led by the Seattle Redistricting Commission to inform community members on how to engage in the redistricting process. The full recording of the information session can be found here.
Looking forward, the Seattle Redistricting Commission will host public forums for each City of Seattle Council District this spring/summer. The public forums will provide an opportunity for communities to provide feedback to the Commission regarding redistricting preferences. The District 2 public forum will be held on Thursday, May 19th from 5:30-7:30PM. The District 7 public forum will be held on Thursday, July 21 from 5:30-7:30PM. Community members can register for the District 2 and District 7 public forums here.
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Neighborhood Construction Updates |
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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 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.
Crews began demolition on the project in late April and the estimated timeframe for renovations is 18 months. 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, rooftop community event space, conference meeting space, community kitchen and office space for nonprofit organizations. Visit here for more information.
Currently Satterberg is looking for a nonprofit art organization to hold classes, sell art and utilize the ground floor space. The foundation is also looking for nonprofit BIPOC organizations to rent office space on the 2nd and 3rd floor. Please reach out to Kendra for more information at metropolebuilding@satterberg.org.
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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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