Pioneer Square Fire Festival 2013

 

2013 Fire Festival Poster

Date: Saturday July 13, 2013

Time: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Location: Occidental Square Park (between S. Main St. & S. Washington St. and between 1st & 2nd Ave S)

 

The Pioneer Square Fire Festival, a Seafair Sanctioned Community Event, will take place on Saturday, July 13 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm in Occidental Square Park. The annual festival commemorates the re-birth of the Pioneer Square area following the Great Seattle Fire of June 6, 1889 that destroyed most of Seattle’s original Commercial District and gave rise to today’s Historic Pioneer Square Neighborhood.

The Pioneer Square Fire Festival gives attendees of all ages a glimpse into Seattle’s past featuring displays by the Last Resort Fire Department, the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum, and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – Seattle. Along with displays of antique and classic fire engines and classic police cars, the Seattle Fire Department will provide different fire apparatus of today on a rotating basis during the festival, and Seattle Fire Department’s Medic II Program will have a display in the Last Resort Fire Department Museum.

In addition there will be many family-friendly activities. Come cheer on the area Fire cadets and Explorers as they compete against each other. Try your hand a putting on firefighting turnout gear on “Are You Faster Than a Fire Cadet?” Kids can learn about fire safety through games such as the “Pump Can Game” and “Smoke Crawl”. Don’t forget a
bout the opportunity to color a picture while sitting in the back of a 1940 fire engine, or pan for gold. Also making appearance will be Pluggie the talking fire hydrant.

This year the festival will also be honoring the 100th anniversary of the oldest known surviving motorized Seattle Fire Department vehicle. This City Service Ladder Truck will be on display in Occidental Square Park during the festival. Come on down and help us celebrate!

Located one to two blocks away from Occidental Square Park are: the Last Resort Fire Department Museum, located in Seattle Fire Department Headquarters; the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum located in a historic building; and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – Seattle, located in the restored Cadillac Hotel. All three museums have activities for kids, and they will be open and FREE to the public on the day of the Fire Festival.

For more up-to-date information visit www.lastresortfd.org and locate the Fire Festival page in the left navigating column.

 

Portland Loo Frequently Asked Questions

Loo-Install

The Alliance is currently working on a project to explore options for public restrooms in the area. After review of different models and locations, the task force has chosen the “Portland Loo” as the preferred option.

Why is Pioneer Square considering installing public restrooms?

The Alliance for Pioneer Square works with a wide spectrum of community stakeholders to create a vibrant neighborhood for everyone and to build Pioneer Square’s economic strength.  Pioneer Square is a challenging neighborhood located at the nexus of mass transit, multiple stadiums, a robust upper floor business economy, major tourist attractions and human services. In order to have a welcoming environment, amenities including public restrooms are necessary that are accessible by all Seattle residents and visitors.

Is this a stand-alone project?

No. This project is part of a larger plan designed to improve the overall business health of Pioneer Square. The areas of focus include: Pedestrian and Built Environment, Marketing and Promotion, Business Development and Neighborhood Advocacy.

How did the idea come about?

In 2010, more than 35 neighborhood stakeholders came together to create Pioneer Square 2015: A Strategy for Seattle’s First Neighborhood. From this action plan the Alliance for Pioneer Square headed a task force that included neighborhood business owners, residents, property owners and representatives from the City of Seattle. The task force explored multiple options to address the lack of public restrooms before coming to agreement upon the installation of the Portland Loo.    https://allianceforpioneersquare.org/what-we-do/neighborhood-plan/

What is the city’s role in this initiative?

This community-led initiative is supported by the City of Seattle. The task force has worked with the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Planning and Development and the Department of Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities on researching the feasibility of the Portland Loo.

How is the Portland Loo different than other public restrooms?

The Loo is uniquely designed to provide privacy and security features not offered with other models. (see back of sheet for more information)

How is the ongoing cleaning and maintenance managed?

The Alliance for Pioneer Square will fund and manage the ongoing cleaning and maintenance.

Why is it called a Portland Loo if it will be in Seattle?

The City of Portland developed and patented it.

Is it really expensive?

The initial cost of the Portland Loo is $90,000 plus shipping and installation. Ongoing maintenance and cleaning is budgeted at $40,000 per year per unit.

Portland Loo Facts

  • Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
  • Exterior hand washing stations serve pedestrians
  • Cleaned several times daily
  • ADA-accessible
  • A bicycle or stroller easily fits inside

The Portland Loo offers privacy and security at a fraction of the cost of other stand-alone restroom models.

Private

The Portland Loo offers personal privacy and public access. Top horizontal louvers and bottom angled louvers create a well-ventilated interior with complete visual privacy.

Lightweight

The Portland Loo is made with minimum parts and materials and is delivered on-site as a complete enclosure. With water and sewer hook-up, the loo can fit in a six foot wide by 10 foot long parking space. The compact, modular Portland Loo is affordable and functional.

Easy to Maintain

The Portland Loo’s commercial hardware and durable stainless steel fixtures resist misuse and ensure longevity. Anti-graffiti coating covers all interior and exterior surfaces.

Energy Efficient

The Portland Loo can operate off the electrical grid, powered entirely by solar-powered LED fixtures.

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/408156

 

Additional Questions? Contact the Alliance for Pioneer Square at 206-667-0687

 

Alliance for Pioneer Square Receives Community Advocacy Award

Historic Seattle Community Advocacy AwardYesterday evening on May 14, 2013, local preservationists gathered for Historic Seattle’s Fifth Annual Preservation Awards Ceremony at the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford. The Alliance for Pioneer Square staff and two board members were in attendance to receive Historic Seattle’s 2013 Community Advocacy Award.

From the Preservation Awards program:

The Community Advocacy Award goes to the Alliance for Pioneer Square for its leadership in revitalizing Seattle’s first neighborhood. […] The Alliance’s broad and holistic approach to enhancing Pioneer Square allows the organization to draw upon the many inherent assets of the neighborhood to create a better and more vibrant place for everyone to work, live, and visit. The Alliance embraces Pioneer Square’s cultural heritage and historic buildings, recognizing the value of historic preservation and how it aids economic development, not hinder it.

Alliance board co-chair Kevin Daniels was also presented with the Community Investment Award for his work in preserving and reviving Seattle landmarks. In his acceptance speech, Kevin stated that when he and the Alliance board hired Leslie Smith to be the executive director of the organization, he worried about Leslie’s emphasis on community. Not sure if Leslie’s philosophy would be a good fit at first, Kevin said he later realized that community is the heart of preservation.

We are extremely proud to be presented with the Community Advocacy Award, and we congratulate our co-chair Kevin Daniels on his preservation achievements. Our work to connect the community and other key partners in reviving Pioneer Square is built on a solid foundation thanks to Leslie Smith’s advocacy for the community and the neighborhood.