November News + Updates
Business News and Updates
A warm welcome to our newest businesses and attractions in the neighborhood!

  • Locus Wines: 307 Occidental Ave S.–this award-winning wine producer serves wines "from varietals that best showcase their native climate and soil" in a funky space.

  • Mr Saigon: 161 S. Washington St.– this Vietnamese eatery features affordable banh mi sandwiches made with fresh house-made baguettes and homemade ingredients, along with bowls of phở, in a bright, modern space.
Pioneer Square BIA Inspiration Fund Award
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2019 Pioneer Square BIA Inspiration Fund! 
 
The 2019 Pioneer Square BIA I nspiration Fund winners are the Pioneer Square Residents Council for their continuation of the Art Outside the Box project and the Pastry Project pilot program, in partnership with The London Plane, which will provide free mentorship and training to people with barriers to education and/or employment in the baking and pastry industry. Congratulations!
Pioneer Square, In Lists!
Historic Gems and Timeless Jewels

We make life easier by compiling easily digestible lists which highlight neighborhood essentials. This month, we run down the historic gems and timeless jewels in Pioneer Square. Last month, we featured the top spots for tunes. We also have you covered for your hair care in the Square needs, local lunches for the office, and grab and go lunches + dinners near Occidental Square .

Find all the spots in our 2019 Neighborhood Map and Guide .
Looking For Something to Do in Pioneer Square?

Fall has finally arrived and there is plenty of entertainment in the neighborhood- like fun performances, concerts, art exhibits, sporting events, and more! Whether you are looking for must-see art galleries, reading and talks, or the next Seahawks game, there is plenty to see and do in Pioneer Square all month long. Browse our calendar of November events in the neighborhood to plan your next adventure in the heart of Seattle.
Shop Small on Small Business Saturday
This Nov 30 is the 10th Small Business Saturday , which means it’s almost time to celebrate with your favorite small businesses in Pioneer Square. Save the date to Shop Small with us because when you do, you make a big difference for our businesses and our community. Join us in making this Small Business Saturday one to remember! You can find a full list of Pioneer Square businesses in the Pioneer Square Neighborhood Map and Guide. As always, thank you for your continued support — we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Save the Dates: Holiday Events in the Square
The holidays are quickly approaching and we getting ready to celebrate in Pioneer Square with three events- the Seventh Annual Pioneer Square Howlidays, Warm Up in Occidental Mall, and Holiday Hooky Hour.

On December 5th from 5-7p , y ou are invited to bring your prized pooch down to Nord Alley for the Seventh Annual Pioneer Square Howlidays ! We’ll have a early evening of free entertainment, activities and treats—for dogs and people.

On December 12th from 10a-12p , we will host Warm Up in Occidental Square , where folks in the neighborhood will gather in Occidental Mall to enjoy warm beverages from neighborhood coffee shops and other beverage retailers.

All day on December 13th , we encourage the Pioneer Square community to take a moment to wrap up their holiday shopping by patronizing the many unique businesses in the neighborhood as part of the Hooky Hour .
Mark Your Calendars: First Thursday Art Walk
November 7, 5-10 PM

Every First Thursday of the month, Pioneer Square welcomes you to join us in the venerated tradition of Art Walk with exceptional artists, innovative works, and creative kinship.

During Art Walk, parking is FREE from 5-10 PM! Make sure to grab your voucher from a participating gallery or studio to park for free at one of three neighborhood garages.

( Janna Watson , "Night Loops", mixed media on panel, 48 X 36 in. Foster/White Gallery.)
January 2020 First Thursday Art Walk Date

The January 2020 First Thursday Art Walk will be held on Thursday, January 9th from 5-10P instead of on January 2nd.
Artist Feature:
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Summer Youth Interns
Currently on exhibition in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park 's Kerr Room is "A Place at the Park" - an exhibition designed to challenge the perceptions of national parks from the Klondike's 14 summer youth (age 13-18) interns. They used LEGO, canvas painting, black and white photography, and visual storytelling to capture and share their unique ideas. The exhibit will be on display through Thanksgiving so be sure to stop by to discover what the next generation of stewards dream their national parks could be.
Heads Up: Transportation Changes
SR 99 Tolling Starts This Month

Drivers using the State Route 99 tunnel will begin paying tolls on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. Expect delays in and around the SR 99 tunnel as drivers seek toll diversions. State law requires that toll revenues from the SR 99 tunnel be used to pay back construction bonds as well as pay to operate and maintain the nation’s largest double-decked road tunnel. The two-mile-long SR 99 tunnel runs underneath downtown Seattle and opened in February 2019. Learn more about the time-of-day toll rates and how to get a free Good to Go! sticker pass .
Seattle Scooter Share Pilot Program

Scooter share emerged in late 2017 as a new way to get around cities.  Like bike share, people will rent the nearest scooter using a smartphone app, ride to their destination, and leave the scooter in the closest appropriate location. 

In 2019, Mayor Durkan promised to “bring scooters to Seattle with a thoughtful, well-planned pilot.” Since then, SDOT has been engaging the public to help design a community-driven scooter share pilot for early spring 2020. Please provide SDOT with your feedback through their online survey before November 15!
Terminal 46 Opportunty
Cruise Connections 2019

The Port of Seattle invites local businesses, tourism partners, and community leaders to learn all about how to make connections to Seattle’s thriving cruise commerce and services environment. Join the Port of Seattle at Embassy Suites by Hilton to see how you can benefit from a cruise connection on Wednesday, November 6 from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. RSVP here.
From the Public Realm
Occidental Square Park Projects Update

Two projects are underway or planned for Occidental Square Park- a play area and a pavilion, respectively. The play area project construction began in early September and is now complete, following a ribbon cutting ceremony in late October.The pavilion project will take place during the upcoming winter months, when park use is lowest, and is expected to take about four months. Park programming and operations will continue during construction, with temporary fencing around the site to keep it secure and keep visitors safe. Learn more about the projects.
Q4 Clean Walk Announced

You are invited to tour Pioneer Square with representatives from Seattle Public Utilities and the Metropolitan Improvement District. The tour is intended to create a stronger connection between the community and those working to keep the neighborhood clean every day. This opportunity will give you a chance to learn more about the roles of the MID, SPU, and the Alliance. It will also give each of these entities a chance to learn from you which areas in Pioneer Square could use more attention.

For Quarter 4, we will be traveling up and down S King St. Please meet at the Alliance office (105 S Main St. Ste. 201) at 9:00 am. The walk is expected to last about an hour. RSVP here.
Waterfront Seattle Construction Begins on New Alaskan Way

Waterfront Seattle will be building a new Alaskan Way in the footprint of the former viaduct. Starting as soon as the week of November 4, their initial work zones will span from S King to Marion streets. Activities include establishing work zones, mobilizing equipment, breaking pavement and excavation for utility installation. Head to Waterfront Seattle's website for more information and to sign up for email updates! 
Neighborhood Construction Updates
Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program

WSDOT has removed the majority of the Alaskan Way Viaduct from Seattle's waterfront to make way for the City of Seattle's   Waterfront Seattle Program .

WSDOT recently created a video which captures the meticulous work of demolishing an urban highway and transforming an iconic waterfront.

Click here  to see real time demolition progress and  join the email list to receive weekly updates.

Questions? Visit the website, email to viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov, or call 1-888-AWV-LINE (298-5463).
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.

Throughout 2019-2020, SDOT will install a monitoring system and conduct a complete assessment of the areaways to determine a long-term plan of action to repair necessary areas. In the meantime, our goal is to provide adjacent businesses and residents with accurate and timely information as we move forward to improve safety.

Visit the project page for more information.
Columbia Street Corridor

With the viaduct ramp now gone, Waterfront Seattle construction began on Columbia Street in early August and continues on. Columbia Street will be transformed into a two-way corridor with transit lanes and improved sidewalks. Other activities include installation of new underground utilities. Don’t miss out on watching the future waterfront take shape, head to Waterfront Seattle's website to sign up for email updates!  
Seattle City Council Elections This Week
The city of Seattle, Washington, is holding elections for seven City Council Districts on November 5, 2019. Pioneer Square falls within both Council District 2 and 7. If you are unsure which district you are in, you can find it by entering your address into this search tool.

T he City of Seattle's Ethics and Elections has produced a Seattle Voters' Guide to the upcoming election for votes, which contain background information on the elections and statements from the candidates and ballot issue campaigns.

Various Seattle media outlets and civic organizations have covered the Council Council elections and candidates, including the Seattle Channel and the Seattle CityClub.
Office of Labor Standards Announces Seattle's 2020 Minimum Wage
The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) has announced an increase to the Seattle minimum wage effective January 1, 2020. The increase is required by the Minimum Wage Ordinance. The minimum wage applies to all employees working in Seattle regardless of the workers’ immigration status. Learn more about the coming changes here .
Press Highlights
What Are We Up To?
Read about Sara's excitement for the play area and pavilion in Occidental Square Park.
Monthly Resource
Keeping everyone safe and secure is something Sound Transit and the Alliance for Pioneer Square take very seriously. You can help by staying aware and by looking out for each other. SoundTransit has several resources for the community to maintain safety and security in their facilities. If you feel unsafe or would like to report a concern to SoundTransit, we recommend calling or texting the SoundTransit Security at 206-398-5268.
Stay Engaged!
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.
Alliance For Pioneer Square | 206.667.0687