Pioneer Square News + Updates
October First Thursday + FREE Parking
October 4th, 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 two neighborhood garages: Frye Garage & Butler Garage.
Note: There will be NO parking at 450 Alaska Garage for this week’s First Thursday.
Parking Info
Upcoming Event 10/16: Pioneer Square Trucks & Ducks
Something special is happening in Pioneer Square. Crews of rubber ducks along with their work vehicles are being spotted around Pioneer Square. The ducks have arrived with their heavy equipment to celebrate neighborhood upgrade progress and to advertise a special event: Pioneer Square Trucks and Ducks! We encourage you to follow the ducks’ lead and celebrate. Here’s how:
- Create your own homemade construction vehicle replica! Your replica can be simple or complex, stationary or moving, realistic or stylized. Customize, use your imagination, and be creative! Sign up HERE to register your creation.
- Come to Pioneer Park (100 Yesler Way) at lunchtime on October 16th, 2018 with your construction vehicle replica! Enter your creation to be evaluated by a panel of judges for a chance to win a title and one of three special prize bags!
- Post social media photos of trucks and ducks you find in the neighborhood! Tag them #PSQTRUCKSandDUCKS
Learn more about this exciting event and sign up on our official page! We hope to see you and your creations in October!
Learn More
Pioneer Square Holidays 2018: SAVE THE DATE (s)
It may just be October, but the holidays aren’t too far off! Come to Pioneer Square for your holiday shopping and fun.
- Carriage rides every Saturday in December
- Shop the Square – Saturday, Dec 8th
- Sixth Annual Howlidays – Sunday, Dec 9th
- 3rdAnnual Holiday Hooky Hour – Friday, Dec 14th
- Neighborhood Holiday Market – Friday, Dec 14th
More information on each event as we get closer!
Neighborhood Construction Updates
Center City Connector Streetcar
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.
Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program
Mark your calendars! In early 2019, the new State Route 99 tunnel will open, offering travelers a direct route from Seattle’s stadiums to the Space Needle.
To open the tunnel, crews must first realign the state highway to move SR 99 from the seismically vulnerable Alaskan Way Viaduct into the tunnel. This intensive work to build ramps and roadway connections will prompt the longest major highway closure to ever hit the Puget Sound region.
The #realign99 closure is set to begin January 11, 2019 and last approximately three weeks. WSDOT expects significant congestion throughout the region, so start making your commute plan now. Check out travel-planning resources on the #Realign99 webpage and follow WSDOT on Twitter (@BerthaDigsSR99; #Realign99) for information on both the closure and details about celebrating the opening of the new tunnel.
If you have any questions about this work please email the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program at viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov.
Construction Roundup
Pioneer Square Impacts
Utility Construction (1st Ave S)
Columbia St 2-way Transit Corridor
Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project
Alaskay Way Traffic Shift (mid Oct)
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
September 2018
Top Highlights:
Permanent closure of Alaskan Way Viaduct delayed (Seattle Times)
Waterfront shuttle buses extended through summer 2019 (Seattle Times)
Free Seattle waterfront shuttle will continue into 2019 (King-TV)
Restaurant & Retail News:
Old Town Barbershop debuts in Pioneer Square (Hoodline)
Intrigue Chocolate Co. in Seattle offers truffles and chocolate flights (King 5 News)
The Team Store for the city without a team (Sonics Rising)
Where to Eat Around CenturyLink Field (Seattle Eater)
Find It! Fix It!