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* Due to cold weather, with low temperatures in the 30’s, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) is activating Severe Weather Response protocols in Seattle from Monday, November 28th through Friday, December 2nd. The nearest shelter to Pioneer Square is at Compass Housing Alliance, which will be open overnight (6p-9a) Monday 11/28-Sunday 12/4. For more information, visit the KCRHA website. A printable flyer of all cold weather shelters can be viewed here.

• *NEW* The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Winter Weather and Wind Advisories for the Seattle area. Current models suggest snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches through Wednesday morning with winds gusting as high as 30 mph.  

As a precaution for the potential inclement weather, wherever possible, businesses citywide are asked to secure their job sites, sidewalk cafes, or other permitted uses outside of work or business hours in order to ensure safety, access and mobility in the right-of-way. Site managers, business owners and residents are responsible for clearing sidewalks next to their job site, business or home within 12 hours of the end of the storm. As a reminder, cleared paths should be 36" wide so everyone—including people using a mobility aid such as a wheelchair—can get around easily.

Keeping the gutters and storm drains adjacent to your business, job site, or residence clear of leaves and other debris is also important. If a drain is blocked and storm water can’t properly drain, the area that people walking and rolling use, particularly at the bottom of curb ramps, can become flooded. This makes the curb ramp difficult or impossible for manual wheelchairs to use. When clearing drains and gutters, take safety precautions, and if the drain is still clogged after you've removed the surface debris, call Seattle Public Utilities' ORC at (206) 386-1800 to report it.

Additionally, high winds may result in trees losing branches or downed power lines. If a travel lane is blocked by fallen branches or other debris or you encounter downed power lines, call 9-1-1 immediately. Get FREE alerts by text, email, voicemail, and social media at https://alert.seattle.gov. For the latest transportation information, follow @SeattleDOT on Twitter and check out traffic advisories on the blog at https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/.

• On October 31st 2022, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the end of the Civil Emergency Proclamation, aligning with Governor Inslee’s decision to end the statewide state of emergency. As the COVID-19 State of Emergency comes to a close, the temporary commercial rent protections for small businesses and non-profit organizations established during the Civil Emergency ended on November 1st 2022. 

There is still, however, a 6 month grace period until April 30th 2023 where these protections will be maintained–giving businesses and nonprofits time to seek legal consultation and other supports. The Office of Economic Development is partnering with Communities Rise, to support business owners and nonprofits who may be impacted, through one-on-one legal consultation services and other resources to address their commercial lease needs. For more information on the ending of the civil emergency and the commercial legal supports available to small businesses and nonprofits, visit here.

Worker and Business Resources

• *NEW* Local organizations can apply now for the Seattle Times Community Connect Grant for marketing and advertising services at no cost! The Community Connect Grant supports underrepresented local small businesses and nonprofits with a total of $300,000 in marketing and advertising services.

Qualifying organizations will be awarded a grant for advertising in The Seattle Times , including print or digital advertising, plus research and marketing consultation. Businesses and nonprofits of various sizes are invited to apply here. Applications Close TODAY!

• *NEW* The Seattle Department of Transportation's (SDOT) ORCA Recovery Card Program has been extended to August 31, 2023! This means that cardholders can continue to use their ORCA Recovery cards to take transit at no cost. participants who have lost their card can request a replacement by emailing [email protected].

Those interested in the program are encouraged to apply on the SDOT website and online application portal. The applicant must work at a food service or grocery business in the CID, Pioneer Square, Othello, or Rainier Beach that has 5 or fewer locations in Seattle. Visit the program website for more eligibility requirements.

• *NEW* Seattle Public Utilities recently updated their rules regarding temporary container, bag placement, removal at curbs/public alleys. This change in rules directly impacts those Pioneer Square businesses who engage in the Clear Alleys Program (CAP). The proposed changes to the rule include:
• Add cardboard-only dumpsters to the Clear Alleys Program container exceptions.
• Add several safety requirements for moving containers to staging locations.
• Add a requirement that containers in the public right of way in neighborhood business districts need to be lidded, locked, and the area kept clean. In business districts, clarify the time containers are allowed to be sitting in the right of way.

The public comment period for this change in rules is now closed. Questions may be sent via email to [email protected] or call 206-684-4682.

• Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Small Business Flex Fund helps small businesses and nonprofits access the financial support they need to thrive. Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $150,000 to spend flexibly, including on payroll, utilities & rent, supplies, marketing & advertising, building improvements or repairs, and other business expenses.

The Flex Fund has already provided low-interest loans to nearly 700 small businesses and nonprofits. With just over $57 million in loans distributed to date, there is still almost $45 million in loans available for eligible small businesses and nonprofits. The deadline to apply for the Fund has now been extended through March 2023! If qualified, business owners will be matched with a community lender, who will assist the business owner throughout the application process and, if needed, connect them to additional advisory support. Learn more and apply here.

• The Alliance is sharing information regarding foot traffic coming and going from the south end of the district this upcoming holiday season. 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 November, December and January.

Partner Efforts

• *NEW* Visit Seattle's Official Visitors’ Guide (OVG) is the ultimate resource to incoming visitors, providing travel inspiration and resources for their next Seattle adventure. Intended for distribution November-May, the winter/spring edition is packed full of ideas on what to taste, where to play and what to see.

View the full OVG online. Keep an eye out for the OVG at regional hotels, ferry terminals, visitor centers and airports. 

Other Neighborhood Updates

• *NEW* On Wednesday, December 7th, Chief Seattle Club will host a community information session from 12 to 12:45p to present to Pioneer Square stakeholders regarding the opening of their newest permanent supportive housing project, Salmonberry Lofts.

Following the opening of Chief Seattle Club's ʔálʔal ("home" in Lushootseed) this year, the 76 unit Salmonberry Lofts will open to residents this month. The information session will provide the community with the opportunity to learn more about Salmonberry Lofts, ask questions to Chief Seattle Club staff about the project and understand ways in which the Pioneer Square stakeholders can welcome our newest neighbors. All Pioneer Square stakeholders are encouraged to attend this information session and may register here.

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.