Pioneer Square Business Stakeholders-

The Alliance for Pioneer Square team is working diligently to keep the Pioneer Square community informed regarding new resources and opportunities available to them. This roundup is part of a series of weekly messages capturing new resources and opportunities. Find each weekly email to date on our website.

*Please see this roundup's new resources and opportunities highlighted in RED*

What's Happening

• *NEW* Mayor Bruce Harrell and the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) have launched the 2022 Commercial Tenant Improvement Fund, announcing an investment of $1.9 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funding (CLFR) into the Commercial Tenant Improvement Fund to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

Through an open application process, the Tenant Improvement Fund will grant eligible small businesses up to $100,000 to build out commercial spaces and make commercial improvements more affordable for projects located within Seattle city limits. Tenant Improvement Fund grants will be awarded as a forgivable loan with 0% interest. The loan will convert to a grant after the business has continued operations for a one-year period following the completion of project construction. Funding will cover costs such as establishing or renovating outdoor seating, installing takeout windows, improving air filtration systems, expanding current commercial space, building out a new commercial space and more.  

Review and learn more about eligibility requirements and the selection process here.  Applications are due on September 8th at 5p via the online grant portal. The OED will also host two information sessions to describe the intent of this funding opportunity and answer questions. The virtual sessions will be hosted on Webex and will be recorded. Register here for the August 16th webinar from 6-7p and here for the August 29th webinar from 10-11a. 

Worker and Business Resources

• *NEW* The Washington State Legislature has allocated a new round of grant funding for small businesses affected by the pandemic. $70 million was appropriated by the legislature for the next round of Working Washington Grants: Round 5. In this round of Working Washington grants, available funds are set aside for specific targeted groups or sectors:

• 60% is identified for the arts, heritage and science sectors, including those that operate live entertainment venues
• 40% is identified for most other sectors, including hospitality, fitness and personal services

General Timeline:

• August 17 – September 9: Application portal will remain open for 24 days
• Mid – Late September: Review of applications
• Early October: Commerce will notify grantees and disburse funding

Register for an upcoming webinar hosted by the Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) on Thursday, August 4th at 1-2:30p here and learn more here. 

• *NEW* Seattle Department of Transportation's (SDOT) Safe Start is the temporary program that supports Seattle businesses by allowing them to use streets and sidewalks for outdoor dining, merchandise and retail display, vending/food trucks and street and sidewalk activities/closures.

SDOT has developed a draft proposal that includes long-term changes and updates to the permit requirements, including proposed permit fees. These changes, if approved, are expected early next year when Safe Start expires. For more on this proposal, along with specific details on the program, visit here. 

• *NEW* 4 Culture's 2022 Landmarks Capital grant is now open. Landmark Capital funding is specifically for stewards of designated historic landmark properties in King County who are working to rehabilitate them. The grant supports projects focusing on the stabilization or restoration of historic building fabric, repair or replacement of essential building systems, or the restoration of historically significant landscapes.

 Projects that contribute to the diversity of property types and histories represented in King County’s built environment, and that are centered on underrepresented communities, will receive additional consideration. Visit here for guidelines and to apply. Deadline for applications is September 21st at 5p.

• *NEW* The Centering Art & Racial Equity (C.A.R.E.) is the new name of the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s organizational funding program previously known as Civic Partners. The C.A.R.E. grant awards three consecutive years of funding to Seattle arts and culture, heritage and arts service organizations with a minimum three-year history of providing accessible programming for Seattle residents and visitors. 

Read the full guidelines for details here and apply here. the deadline for applications is August 10th at 5p. If you represent an organization interested in applying, please contact Kathy Hsieh as your first step. 

• The Seattle Seahawks have announced their 2022-2023 season which includes 11 home games at Lumen Field this season. View all home games as well as the full schedule here. 

• 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 Center, WAMU Theater and T-Mobile Park event calendar for August.

• Summer is here and shoppers are ready to get out and make the most of the sunny days ahead. AmEx Shop Small Studio is now open here. The Shop Small Studio is an online resource that small business owners can use to create and download a suite of complimentary custom marketing materials – in just two minutes or less. From a variety of engaging social media posts to a fun poster that comes in two sizes, use these free materials to encourage your community to support local businesses this summer. Download ready-to-use marketing materials here.       

• After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Seafair will be returning in full this summer. That means that the full slate of Seafair events and activities will be coming back, including fleetweek programming on Pier 62. Businesses, residents and visitors are advised to be aware of traffic impacts beginning August 1st affecting commutes along the waterfront. 

For the full schedule of 2022’s events you can head to Seafair’s website.

• This summer will be full of exciting events happening in Pioneer Square and across downtown to encourage our residential and business communities to get reacquainted with shops, bars and restaurants in downtown. Programming will include live musical performances, games, rotating food trucks and more. 

Visit www.loveseatown.com for the latest details on programming, artists and special appearances and click here for upcoming food truck schedules and menus in Occidental Square Park. 

*NEW* Did you know Seattle has four scooter and bike share services? Micromobility is a great first/last mile solution to commuting on the bus, light rail, and ferries.

Join Commute Seattle for test rides, free helmets and more on Wednesday, August 17th from 11am to 2pm at Occidental Park (117 S Washington St).

Take this opportunity to ask questions about the apps and learn how to ride with scooter/bike share services in Seattle!

• The Klondike's Trail to Treasure tours return this summer, from July 1st to September 2nd. The one-hour Trail to Treasure guided walks will be offered at 2 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Groups will be limited to 12 people and a sign-up sheet will be available at the front desk on the day of each tour.

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

• The Alliance for Pioneer Square is excited to announce the release of its annual Neighborhood Map and Guide for the year 2022-2023. The newly designed Pioneer Square Map and Guide brochure is now available in print form at various local Pioneer Square establishments and online on the Alliance website.

Want to get some copies of the new brochures for your business? Contact us today to request delivery of print guides by or emailing [email protected]. Alliance staff will also be doing distribution over the coming weeks. 

The 2022-2023 Pioneer Square Neighborhood Map and Guide is published by the Alliance for Pioneer Square, with financial support from 4Culture. 

• 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.

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. For program eligibility, frequently asked questions and how to apply, visit the Alliance for Pioneer Square website. If you have any questions about this program, please reach out to [email protected]. 

Funding for the Façade Improvement Fund is made possible by Historic South Downtown and the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development .

• With several larger employers bringing back their workforce to Pioneer Square, we want to give them a warm welcome! In addition to providing returning workers with information about how to engage with the neighborhood and shop local, we are seeking information on retailers’ discounts or specials for upper floor folks. Pioneer Square businesses offering neighborhood specific promotions and deals are invited to email them to [email protected]. All deals will be compiled and shared with upper floor businesses on this resource page. Visit here to learn more.

Additional Resources

• 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. Driving to Pioneer Square? Check out mobile-friendly DowntownSeattleParking.com for parking locations throughout the neighborhood. 

• 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.

• The Pioneer Square Business Owners & Managers Facebook group is an opportunity for business owners and retailers to participate in an online forum and share resources, support and stories. We invite you to join the group and connect with other neighborhood businesses. Click here to join the Pioneer Square Business Owners and Managers Facebook page.

Please let us know how we might best support you. Feel free to contact any of us with comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns.