October News + Updates
This Month in Pioneer Square
Press
Highlights
  • Popular Seattle Korean pop-up to open deli and cafe in Pioneer Square

  • Try the Pastry Projects latest line of bake-at-home cookie dough, Take and Bakery

  • Browse our calendar of events for entertainment and events in October.

  • Enjoy during First Thursday Artwalk in Pioneer Square

  • And More!
OHSUN Banchan
Deli & Cafe To Open
in Pioneer Square
The Pastry Project Launches
Take & Bakery
OHSUN Banchan's Gluten-Free Korean Deli opens soon in Pioneer Square at 221 1st Ave S. The deli will serve noodles, soups, stewed meats and a variety of banchan.

Guests will be treated to casual lunch and takeout during the day and can enjoy soju, beer, wine and cider at the bar with Korean snacks and dinner at night.

Visit here to learn more about the upcoming opening and sign up for OHSUN Banchan's newsletter to keep up to date with the new restaurant. We cannot wait to officially welcome OHSUN Banchan to the neighborhood!
Last month, The Pastry Project introduced Take-and-Bakery, an online shop with a line of bake-at-home cookie dough.

The line of frozen take & bake doughis available at thetakeandbakery.co and ships nationally. Vist the website to view all the flavors and place your order online.
Seattle Restaurant Week
Returns this Month

Taste of Seattle Made 2022

Seattle Restaurant Week returns this fall, on October 23rd to November 5th to support our Seattle-area restaurant community. The heart and soul of our city is on the table!

This bi-annual dining promotion gives diners a unique chance to celebrate and support our culinary community, highlighting its craft, diversity, resilience, and great food. Enjoy curated menus for $20, $35, $50, and $65 at restaurants, food trucks, pop-ups, and more across greater Seattle.

Visit https://srweek.org/ for a list of participating businesses in Pioneer Square.
Taste of Seattle Made is back, after a two-year pandemic hiatus. Get your local cold-brew coffee and chai, plant-based chicken nuggets, tasty local ciders, warm biscuits, and more on October 9th at AXIS Pioneer Square. Tasting sessions are from 12-2p or 3-5p.

The tasting event will highlight 25 local producers, celebrating food and beverages all produced right here in Seattle! Visit here to purchase tickets.
October in the Square
There is still plenty of fun to be had in Pioneer Square this month. Take a guided tour of some of Seattle's most haunted locations with Spooked in Seattle tours this Halloween, shop local artisans at 210 Studio's First Thursday Night Market or get into the autumn spirit with Fall Fun days in Occidental Square on Wednesdays and Fridays courtesy of the Downtown Seattle Association. From trivia nights at Flatstick Pub to trunk shows at Flora and Henri we have it all this October!
Looking for more to do? Browse our calendar of events for more entertainment and events in the neighborhood in October.
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.
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.
For Neighborhood Businesses

With the Sounders FC, OL Reign and Mariners seasons underway and the upcoming Seahawks preseason, August will see plenty of foot traffic coming and going from the south end of the district. 

To better inform business operations on game and event days, follow this link to the Lumen Field and Event CenterWAMU Theater and T-Mobile Park event calendar for October.
Monthly Staff Feature:
Chris Woodward, Alliance Community Development Director
This month we catch up with Chris Woodward, Community Development Director for the Alliance for Pioneer Square. Chris leads the Alliance’s marketing, communications, and advocacy strategy. Chris utilizes a diversity and equity lens to support the Pioneer Square community’s needs.

Chris honors the authenticity that Pioneer Square exudes by finding innovative approaches to amplify the neighborhood’s ethos.
You're Invited:
Alliance for Pioneer Square Office Open House

Save The Date: Pioneer Square BIA Annual Meeting 2022
Stop by and lets celebrate the neighborhood together! We're hosting an in-person Open House this October and invite the community to pop into the Alliance's office located right at the heart of Pioneer Square. Join us to catch-up on what we've been up to and are currently working on, meet the entire Alliance staff (both old and new) and checkout our workspace. You're guaranteed to have a great time and meet other business owners, residents, and employees in our community.

Alliance For Pioneer Square 2022 Open House
Date: Thursday, October 27th
Time: 3:30p – 5:30p
Place: Alliance for Pioneer Square Office
(Enter Globe building through double doors on the right and follow signs for Open house)

Drop in anytime during the Open House and let us know here if you plan to stop by. Refreshments will be served. Questions? Contact us. We cannot wait to reconnect with all of you.
Please join us for the Pioneer Square BIA Annual Meeting to celebrate the successes of this past year. All Ratepayers in good standing are invited to meet the BIA Stakeholder Board, the Alliance board members, and Alliance staff as well as learn about the new initiatives for 2023. You will also have a chance to meet and connect with both your first floor and upper level neighbors!

Date: Wednesday, November 16th
Time: 4:00p – 5:30 p
Place: THE 101
West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Engagement Opportunities
Background

The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions will provide fast, reliable light rail connections to dense residential and job centers throughout the region. In addition, a new downtown Seattle light rail tunnel will provide capacity for the entire regional system to operate efficiently. These two separate Link extensions are part of the regional transit system expansion approved by voters in November 2016.

Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration published the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extension Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public comment on Jan. 28, 2022, which was followed by a 90-day public comment period. After reviewing the Draft EIS and the comments from Tribes, the public and agency partners, the Sound Transit Board identified the preferred alternative for the West Seattle Link Extension and requested further study for the Ballard Link Extension. 

In the Final EIS, expected to be published in late 2023, Sound Transit will respond to comments received during the Draft EIS comment period. Following the publication of the Final EIS, the Board will select the project to be built.

What to Expect

Sound Transit's first step is to engage community early to shape the project scope and to inform the process for iterative, inclusive and meaningful engagement throughout the study period. Community feedback will shape the scope and direction of Sound Transit's study efforts and the engagement process for the next several months.

Please save the date for the first Chinatown International District station kick-off open house where you can find out the latest information and provide ideas that will shape our engagement approach and the scope of their studies over the next several months. The open house will be held on Thursday, October 13th from 4:30-7:30p at Union Station (401 S. Jackson Street)

Ways to Engage

The Alliance seeks a group of passionate and dedicated neighborhood stakeholders to participate with us in Sound Transit and City of Seattle-hosted meetings/workshops to make a better light rail project for the neighborhood, and for the region. We need you to represent Pioneer Square neighborhood interests from your point of view to Sound Transit and City of Seattle. By participating in the workshops with us, you can help Sound Transit prioritize which impacts are most harmful and need to be minimized, and help the agency understand the trade-offs related to the project design and operation. If you are interested in participating in this process, contact [email protected]
UPDATE: Northeast Pioneer Square
Framework Plan
The final Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan is now available. The framework plan synthesizes the needs of residents, businesses, and service providers by consolidating years of policy direction and planning with new community-driven initiatives. This work also considers the near-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that continue to affect the daily lives of those within this area, along with mid- and long-term objectives that will help the district evolve over time.

Current project work is focused on continuing to build relationships among stakeholders in this space and moving forward with the retail study conducted by ECONorthwest. The study team has been busy compiling and analyzing data, including planning for upcoming stakeholder interviews. This will provide valuable data points that will help in detailing opportunities, challenges, and informing potential development. The data from this study will be used to help guide future retail recruitment efforts, as well as providing more information on existing consumer demand.

Over the course of the next couple of months, the NEPSQ working group will be creating a short term implementation plan to move forward with improvements to the area in the immediate future as larger systematic processes move forward.
2022 All-Chamber After Hours
The Alliance for Pioneer Square is partnering with the Seattle Metro Chamber to bring you All-Chamber After Hours – a community and networking event that brings together local chambers, businesses associations, and other professionals from the Seattle metro area.

Join us on November 9 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the beautiful Embassy Suites Seattle Downtown-Pioneer Square for appetizers, music, local art, and the opportunity to hear about what local organizations are doing in the community and learn how you can get involved.

Register here, on the Seattle Metro Chamber website and use code Alliance$5OFF for $5 off
your ticket (available through 10/26). Please contact Isabelle teDuits at
[email protected] with any questions.. 
Pioneer Square Social Media
Takeover Program
Return To Work Resources
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.
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 one page document for the returning upper floor office staff to make the transition back to the office as seamless as possible.

The resources listed provide returning workers with information on how to engage with the neighborhood and shop local.

If your staff need additional resources to support their return to work, please contact us at [email protected].
Neighborhood Construction Updates
Waterfront Seattle Construction Ongoing on New Alaskan Way

Waterfront Seattle continues building the new Alaskan Way. Assembly of the falsework to support the new Marion St Bridge has begun over Alaskan Way. This temporary support structure will allow for work to continue on the bridge spans that will connect pedestrians between 1st Ave and the new ferry terminal at Colman Dock.

The temporary bridge-like structure over Alaskan Way at Marion St. is anticipated to remain in place into spring 2023 while the new pedestrian bridge over the roadway is built. Another nighttime closure will be required to remove the falsework once it’s no longer needed.

Head to Waterfront Seattle's website for more information and to sign up for weekly construction 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 turn Railroad Way into a pedestrian-oriented plaza and make other significant improvements near the south end of the State Route 99 Tunnel.

Currently, travel lanes are shifted on Alaskan Way between South Dearborn Street and South King Street for drainage and pavement work. The left turn from northbound Alaskan Way to Pier 46 is temporarily restricted.

Additionally, installation of new bus shelters and shelter components at Alaskan Way began on Friday, September 23rd.

Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation expect to complete construction in 2023. Visit the project website for details or contact the project at [email protected].
Pioneer Square
Areaways Program

SDOT has 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. You can also stay up to date with the latest project information by signing up to join the project email list.
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 with an anticipated opening date in January 2024. WG Clark is serving as the General Contractor and BuildingWork is the architect. 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 Metropole Building will feature a childcare center, traditional lease office spaces, an event center with meeting breakout rooms and a large boardroom, ground floor art exhibit space and a rooftop meeting deck. Tenants will have access to amenities such as communal break rooms, complimentary meeting space, storage space and a nursing room.

During the construction phase, the Metropole is seeking tenants to rent space in the office suites and a tenant for the ground floor art gallery/office space. Tenant applications are currently being accepted. For more information about the Metropole, please visit here or reach out to Kendra Walker, Community Steward/Building Manager, at [email protected].
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
Resources for Pioneer Square Small Business

The Alliance for Pioneer Square has compiled a series of resources and information intended to assist neighborhood small business owners, managers and employees. The Alliance is committed to supporting Pioneer Square through the pandemic recovery period and beyond:





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.

Want to feature in future newsletters? Promote you event, business and specials/deals with us by emailing them to [email protected]. Be sure to attach an image or graphic along with your promo details.
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