Resource Roundup: March 30th 2022 |
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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
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*NEW* Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced the launch of the City's first One Seattle Day of Service. The One Seattle Day of Service on May 21st is an open invitation to every Seattle neighbor to roll up their sleeves, come together, and give back, with volunteer opportunities in each neighborhood across the City.
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! Register Here.
The Spring Clean is a great way to make a positive difference in the community and make Pioneer Square an even more beautiful and welcoming neighborhood. Stay tuned for more information on the day's cleanup activities in upcoming communications.
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*NEW* On Monday, March 28th, to help keep parking spots available for customers in commercial areas and in neighborhoods throughout Seattle, SDOT adjusted on-street parking rates, based on an analysis of the latest available parking occupancy data collected in January 2022. Businesses can find the new rates and other details here.
On-street paid parking rates are adjusted in various business districts and neighborhoods in Seattle by the time of day to manage local conditions and parking demand proactively. By using these variable rates, approximately one to two spaces are generally open and available on each block throughout the day, helping people find parking near their destination. Overall, on-street parking rates in Seattle are remaining at or below $2 per hour at 95% of locations and times.
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The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) project 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.
As a business, property owner or resident near a potential WSBLE route or station alternative, it is important to note the effects to residences and businesses and provide feedback to the Sound Transit Board to inform possible mitigation measures. Lean more about how West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) will impact Pioneer Square, what to expect as a project neighbor and how to provide input to the Sound Transit Board Board here.
Please note, sections of this project categorized under the Chinatown-International District (CID) segment include both Pioneer Square and the CID, with most WSBLE alternatives falling within the Pioneer Square Historic District. The new station will serve the south end of the district. WSBLE alternative and design options will affect accessibility and passenger transfer options.
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Worker and Business Resources
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*NEW* With the Sounders FC, OL Reign, and Mariners returning to the field, April 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 April event calendar
The grant will award $40,000 to 25 historic small restaurants across the country to improve, upgrade, and preserve their exterior physical spaces and online businesses so they can better serve their customers, financially recover, and grow their businesses. The focus is on independent small restaurants that have been in business for more than 25 years, operate in historic buildings or neighborhoods, and have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Grant applications are now open will be accepted until 11:59 PM ET on April 4, 2022. To learn more, watch an online information session about the program, application criteria, and timeline.
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The City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) has announced an $8M investment to launch the Capital Access Program, a new partnership with local community development financial institutions (CDFI) that will connect small businesses to flexible working capital loans. Learn more here.
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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrowers that received only partial loan forgiveness from their lenders have a new process for appealing the lender's decision to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
In a procedural notice, the SBA said the new appeals process was created after the agency received inquiries by borrowers that received partial forgiveness of their PPP loans because their lender issued a partial approval decision to the SBA on the borrower's loan forgiveness application, or their lender required the borrower to apply for forgiveness in an amount less than the full amount of the PPP loan.
Borrowers can now request, through their lender, an SBA review of their loan if they received a partial forgiveness decision from the lender they do not agree with or if they were required by their lender to apply for forgiveness in less than the full amount of the PPP loan. The new process does not apply if the borrower applied for less than full forgiveness on their own volition. OED provides free technical assistance to businesses applying for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This includes helping businesses navigate the application process. For general inquiries email OED@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-8090.
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*NEW* Cruise job opportunities on the waterfront and at SEA!
Lots of flexibility for students, teachers and retirees who want summer work with pay starting at $18-$20/hour.
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*NEW* With the ORCA Business Passport program, employers buy all-inclusive, annual ORCA passes for all benefit-eligible employees at affordable rates, now with an extra 50% off through the ORCA Business Incentive.
Offering ORCA can also help businesses take advantage of pre-tax savings and comply with Seattle’s Commuter Benefits Ordinance. Employees can use their ORCA passes across the region on buses, light rail, ferries, streetcar, and more. Enrollment is easy. Start saving today by reaching out to Commute Seattle to find the right ORCA Business program for you, and to learn if your business qualifies for a 50% discount. Learn more at commuteseattle.com/orca-for-business. Sign up for Commute Seattle's “On the Move” Newsletter for key transportation news and resources to help you promote climate-friendly commute options.
- 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 justine@artisttrust.org with details and images of your piece. Tickets are available at www.artisttrustauction.org.
Artist Trust is seeking sponsors for the 2022 auction. Sponsors gain visibility through their website and online communications, and direct access to over 450 affluent art collectors, patrons, and arts professionals during the events, while providing valuable support for Washington State artists. To reserve your sponsorship, or for questions and additional information, contact: email Nadia Ahmed or call (206) 467-8734 x16.
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Other Neighborhood Updates
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*NEW* 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 info@pioneersquare.org. All deals will be compiled and shared with upper floor businesses on this resource page. visit here to learn more.
Earlier this month, The Alliance reached out to several large upper floor employers to gain insight into their return to office needs and future plans. Some respondents noted their staff have been operating within the neighborhood under a full time or hybrid model for the past several months. The others strongly signaled their intent to partially bring their staff back to the office in April 2022 with more staff planned to be present by early June. We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces strolling along the streets of our one-of-a-kind district.
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*NEW* Throughout the month of March, we asked the Pioneer Square community to provide feedback on our COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan, which was released in March of 2020. In the month, We heard from business owners, property managers, residents, neighborhood employees, and visitors in person and online. We extend a big thank you to those who participated in the feedback process.
A summary of what we heard during the feedback process is now available on the Alliance Website for review. We look forward to incorporating the feedback provided by the community into our ongoing and future programming as guided by our 2025 strategic plan. This process is supported in part by Historic South Downtown.
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*NEW* Thank you to everyone who joined us this month for Sunday Fundraise at Flatstick Pub! A big thank you to Flatstick Pub for hosting us as their Sunday Fundraise program recipient for the month of March to support the Alliance for Pioneer Square.
Learn more about Flatstick Pub's Sunday Fundraise program here.
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Additional Resources
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*NEW* 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.
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*NEW* 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 thembela@pioneersquare.org if you have any questions.
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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.
- The Alliance is coordinating with the Butler Garage on 114 James Street, to provide free parking on Saturdays throughout the year. Park for free every Saturday with a dated proof of purchase from a Pioneer Square business. Free parking is available from 11am to 8pm each Saturday in 2022.
Please let us know how we might best support you. Feel free to contact any of us with comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns.
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Sincerely,
The Alliance Team
ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE
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