December 2018

Pioneer Square News + Updates

Business News & Updates

Tis the Season of ribbon…cutting!

    

Congratulations to Bad Bishop Bar, i5 Pho, and Meg’s.

Salumi is now open in their new space in the Washington Shoe Building at 404 Occidental Ave S. Check out their grand opening (and official ribbon cutting) on Thursday, December 13.

D&E will open their doors in the Moses Building at 312 2nd Ave S on Friday, December 7. (Yep, we’ll get Jonathan to cut a red ribbon, too.)

It’s fabulous to see new and existing Pioneer Square business owners invest in the future of our neighborhood. And in Jonathan’s case at D&E, welcome BACK to Pioneer Square.

Congrats to all!

November First Thursday + FREE Parking

Pioneer Square has so much to offer during these festive times. Come join us for celebrations, giveaways, promotions, contests, and more!

Shop the Square – Saturday, Dec. 8th
Discover discounts on outstanding gifts around the Pioneer Square neighborhood all day long!
Hosted by the Alliance for Pioneer Square
LEARN MORE: Shop the Square information page + Official Facebook event

Holiday Hooky Hour – Friday, Dec. 14th
Step out for a bit, grab a bite to eat, and cross off your shopping list with great deals at Pioneer Square businesses.
Hosted by the Alliance for Pioneer Square
LEARN MORE: Holiday Hooky Hour information page + Official Facebook event

View full list of holiday events in Pioneer Square

November First Thursday + FREE Parking

December 6th, 5-10pm

Every First Thursday of the month, Pioneer Square welcomes you to join us in the venerated tradition of Art Walk with exceptional artists, innovative works, and creative kinship. During Art Walk, parking is free from 5 to 10pm! Make sure to grab your voucher from a participating gallery or studio to park for free at one of three neighborhood garages.


Parking Info

Planning for January Construction Impacts & Beyond

The Viaduct closes on January 11 and the new SR-99 tunnel opens three weeks later. During the closure, everyone who travels in the region will be affected. And that’s just the beginning of several years of downtown traffic projects. The City of Seattle is encouraging us to prepare by visiting www.seattle.gov/traffic.  #GetReady #Realign99

Wondering how to use the new SR 99 tunnel when it opens? Check it out: WSDOT is launching a series of “how-to” videos showing how we’ll be able to drive through the tunnel! www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGJ9ObcP3Jg

Beginning with WSDOT’s #Realign99 project and including lots of construction projects downtown until 2024, the City of Seattle is encouraging us to prepare for the #SeattleSqueeze. We are entering a new era of tough traffic, and we need to start planning and preparing now. Check out www.seattle.gov/traffic #GetReady

More resources for your employees and customers: Seattle Squeeze Community Toolkit + Fact Sheet.

Learn More

Neighborhood Construction Updates

Center City Connector Streetcar

*No update as of 12/5/2018*

On March 30, Mayor Durkan directed the City of Seattle to halt the ongoing projects related to the Center City Connector streetcar, except for work on seismically vulnerable water mains in Pioneer Square.

The initial summary of findings was released on August 31 with further information on capital and operating costs.

Learn more here

Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program

The big Realign99 highway closure is less than two months away! WSDOT has been working with its contractor and agency partners to refine the plan, and recently announced refinements to the closure schedule. The big change is that the northbound SR 99 on-ramp from Royal Brougham Way will close on January 4, 2019 before the official Viaduct closure on January 11, 2019.

After the tunnel opens, a new contractor will begin removing the viaduct. WSDOT and its contractor are holding drop-in sessions for neighbors to learn more about what to expect when construction begins in early 2019. The first two, 12/4 (evening) and 12/5 (daytime), are held at the Waterfront Space on the corner of Western Avenue and Union Street.

For questions about the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program at viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov.

Construction Roundup

Pioneer Square Impacts

Utility Construction (1st Ave S)
Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project
Occidental Alley Infrastructure Improvements
Colman Dock Project

For more detail on upcoming projects and events in the region see SDOT’s three week look ahead.

Press Highlights

November 2018

Have you seen an issue in the neighborhood, but didn’t know how to report it to get it taken care of? “Find It, Fix It” is a smartphone app offering mobile users one more way to report selected issues to the City of Seattle. Reporting an issue is as easy as snapping a photo with your smartphone, adding detailed information, and hitting submit. Help us keep our neighborhood clean and well maintained. Be on the lookout to report graffiti, potholes, street lights out, abandoned cars and other issues through the Find it, Fix it app, online, or by calling 206-684-7587. If graffiti shows up on your property, make a police report by calling 206-625-5011.