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* As part of the Sounder South Capacity Expansion program, Sound transit is studying how to make King Street Station better for passengers and ready to serve more Sounder riders in the years ahead. The Project is looking to add more stairs and elevators, a concourse above the platform and more.

These improvements will impact commuters who work, live and visit Pioneer Square. The online open house for the King Street Station platform area improvements has now closed however, businesses, property owners or residents can find more information here or on the project website. For up to date project news, sign up for listserv or contact Melanie Mayock, Senior Community Engagement Specialist for South Corridor.

• 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). Learn more about the process and opportunities to provide feedback here

• 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 .

Worker and Business Resources

• *NEW* The U.S. Small Business Administration’s T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined is a 6-month intensive training program that helps CEOs and Executives get unstuck and take their business to the next level. The T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined advanced training series is open to small business owners and executives who:  

• Have annual revenues of at least $250,000
• Have been in business for at least three years 
• Have at least one employee other than themselves 
• Can commit to completing the entire program, including training, submitting assignments, participating during sessions, and reaching out for help 
• Are coachable, ready to be challenged and supported, and willing to put in the necessary work to accelerate growth 

Applications are now open here and submissions are due on May 31st. Final participants will be selected by June 17th and the program starts July 5th to December 16th.  

• *NEW* 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, May 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 May event calendar.

Please note, multiple events have been scheduled for the followings dates:

• Sunday May 29th: Sounders FC vs. Charlotte FC @ 6:30pm

OL Reign vs. San Diego Wave FC @ 12pm

Mariners vs. Houston @ 1:10pm

• *NEW* 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. 

• The Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED), in partnership with Seattle Good Business Network and Shunpike has launched the Seattle Restored program, activating four storefronts in Pioneer Square with a pop-up shop and several Window Art Display art installations. 

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!

• *NEW* This summer, Created Commons will bring a festival of arts and culture to three neighborhoods in Seattle, including an 80's themed Block party in Pioneer Square on August 6.

Styled as MS PAM’S Block Party and curated by local Pioneer Square artist and gallerist Tariqa Waters, the event will be held in Nord Alley, Occidental Mall, and surrounding areas. MS PAM's Block Party will feature DJs, musical acts, interactive art activities, and performances. 

The event will be coordinated with the release of Thank you, MS PAM, a television show that explores and celebrates local food, fashion, arts, and entertainment with a focus on BIPOC business owners in Seattle neighborhoods. Stay tuned for additional details on this event and other exciting Created Commons: Neighborhood Edition events!

• 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.