Happy New Year from the Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area (PSBIA)!!

Existing BIA compared to Pioneer Square Historic District
This map shows the previous BIA boundaries compared to the larger proposed boundaries that encompass all of the Pioneer Square Historic District. City Council passed the expansion of the boundaries in 2013.

As many of you know, a huge effort was made in 2013 to expand the Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area (PSBIA) boundaries to match the Pioneer Square Historic District boundaries, and I’m pleased to say that effort was successful.  The result is that we have a bigger, better opportunity to make a positive impact on behalf of the people who work, live and play in the Pioneer Square neighborhood and to support the businesses in the neighborhood …  all very exciting stuff!

One of the best things about being in a Business Improvement Area (BIA) is that the money raised and all the efforts made are directed by the Ratepayers.  This creates an opportunity for Ratepayers to weigh in on what you think will make Pioneer Square a better place to work and do business.  We have a fantastic staff working on our behalf, a strong partner in the Alliance for Pioneer Square, and a great opportunity to make significant improvements to our neighborhood.

We are looking for PSBIA Ratepayers to step up and serve on the PSBIA Board of Directors.  We need a Board that adequately represents the various types businesses in the neighborhood, and we are looking for individuals with the energy, enthusiasm and vision to help make the neighborhood a better place to work and do business.  We have several very qualified people already volunteering, and if you are a Ratepayer and are interested in joining us we’d love to hear from you! Email bia[at]pioneersquare.org for information.

Thanks for your support, and here’s to a great 2014!

[button text=”BIA Ratepayer Board Application” title=”BIA Ratepayer Board Application” url=”https://allianceforpioneersquare.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Application.pdf” align=”left” target=”_self”]

Apply to be on the Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area Ratepayer Board. Download the BIA Ratepayer Board Application and email it to bia@pioneersquare.org or send to 310 First Ave S, Ste 201, Seattle, WA 98104.

 

Barry Blanton, Blanton Turner

Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area Ratepayer Board Member

Update to the Neighborhood – January 2014

Kristen Honeycutt Photo Co.-021Happy New Year. Hope you had a lovely holiday season and are ready to get back to it.

The Alliance staff and boards are looking forward to a very busy year. In addition to our on-going work in neighborhood advocacy, marketing and promotion, and recruiting even more retail and restaurants we will be launching some additional initiatives.

We will be updating the neighborhood revitalization plan. The neighborhood has delivered on its revitalization commitments from the prior plan and an update will be a great way to take stock, inform and include more people in a vision and shared set of strategies for maintaining our momentum. We are committed to Pioneer Square being a fabulous neighborhood for everyone.

The newly expanded BIA has an interim board in place but that too will be expanding; ensuring inclusive and broad representation of our diverse businesses in Pioneer Square. We anticipate electing the permanent board during the 1st quarter of 2014. Please let me know if you would like to participate.

We will be adding new staff positions: 1) a person to do B2B outreach, specifically focused on the subsidized parking program and managing our parking supply to ensure parking for shoppers, diners, and clients and 2) a person to coordinate and communicate across the various construction projects in the neighborhood and take on the work of improving the pedestrian realm.

We anticipate continuing our critical work to improve street disorder and safety with the new administration, working towards humane solutions that work are critical to the future of Pioneer Square and all of downtown.

Stay tuned, there will be many opportunities to become informed and involved. Thanks for your support and see you in the neighborhood.

 

Leslie Smith

Executive Director