Table of Contents
Welcome!
We hope this site will help you navigate any business or development questions you may have. Economic development covers a variety of topics, but the primary goal is to provide information that can help recruit and assist businesses that are interested in locating or expanding in Pioneer Square, Seattle.
Why Pioneer Square?
Pioneer Square has a tremendous array of qualities which make the district a one-of-a-kind space to do business.
- Pioneer Square is at the heart of Historic Seattle Downtown and surrounded by the city’s retail core to the north, the Chinatown-International District to the east, SODO to the south, and the Central Waterfront to the West. The proximity to the waterfront positions Pioneer Square as a visitor destination from locals and out-of-towners alike. Likewise, Pioneer Square is located near Seattle’s two major stadiums- Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park. The neighborhood is no more bustling than on game/event days.
- Pioneer Square is served by more modes of transit than anywhere else in the city and serves as a central connection point for the city’s various public transit options. It’s easily accessible from Interstate 5 and 90, as well as Highway 99. The Link light rail extension will be joining the existing 1 Line, putting Pioneer Square as the nexus of easy transit connectivity to Sea-Tac Airport, the Eastside, the Stadium district, and the downtown retail core.
- Pioneer Square is experiencing significant public and private investments. Public investments include a redesigned waterfront with improved pedestrian access from Pioneer Square, an expansion of the Link light rail to the West Seattle and Ballard neighborhoods, and various support programs for businesses. Private investments include multiple boutique hotels, several renovated structures to host upper floor businesses alongside ground floor retailers, residential buildings with ground floor retail spaces.
- Pioneer Square is home to a diverse ground floor business mix of restaurants/cafes/bars, retail shops, and personal services. Above the ground floor, Pioneer Square hosts a variety of businesses including law firms, tech companies, and creative firms. Together, over 520 businesses call Pioneer Square their daytime neighborhood.
Pioneer Square Facts
- 143 buildings
- 521 businesses
- 1,062 hotel rooms
- 8,300 residents
Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area (BIA)
Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are special assessment districts that are established to revitalize and enhance neighborhood business districts. The BIA is a self-help mechanism whereby Pioneer Square business owners choose to assess themselves. The oldest BIA within the City of Seattle, the Pioneer Square BIA was formed as a local business community effort to remain competitive in the marketplace. The oldest BIA in the city, the businesses of the Pioneer Square BIA fund beautification, marketing and promotion, and the Alliance’s neighborhood advocacy and activation.
What the Community Says
Tija Petrovich / Pioneer Square Resident + Former Pioneer Square Business Owner
“The Alliance for Pioneer Square is an incredible addition to our neighborhood. As someone who has been a part of Pioneer Square since 1984, I’ve seen first hand how the Alliance strongly believes in growth–understanding that residents and business owners bring an important, informed voice to the table. While we’ve all faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m proud of the work the Alliance has done to not only keep local business owners and residents informed, but to also to allow us to remain part of the conversation.”
Karl Mueller, Owner Intrigue Chocolate Co.
“The Alliance for Pioneer Square is a huge plus to local business owners. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alliance advocated for business owners in our neighborhoods to receive COVID-19 reopening kits. This was incredibly helpful, as it mea“The Alliance for Pioneer Square is a crucial asset to our community. Contracted by our BIA, paid for by local businesses, the staff at the Alliance work tirelessly on behalf of businesses and residents alike. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they created and distributed “re-opening kits” so that small businesses didn’t have to research and purchase the basic items necessary for customer safety. Weekly updates about the crisis during the early days helped keep everyone sort through all the information. In large part due to Alliance advocacy on this and so many other issues, Pioneer Square feels poised for recovery. We’re thankful to be in one of the few neighborhoods with such robust connections.”nt local Pioneer Square businesses did not need to spend money on these necessary items. We’re thankful to be working in Pioneer Square, as it is one of the only neighborhoods in Seattle with an Alliance that works solely on behalf of the business owners and residents.”
Contact Information
If you have questions about opportunities in the city, please contact Alissa Bolla, Business Strategy Manager at alissa@pioneersquare.org.