All of the Above: What’s Behind the Revitalization of PSQ

The Washington Shoe Building with cranes at Stadium Place in the background

I’m the first to say that I’ve got the best gig in town.

People seem most intrigued by the “retail recruitment” aspect of my work for good reason. What’s not to like about being the neighborhood matchmaker? I get to connect brilliant retail and restaurant businesses with fabulous spaces in our beautiful historic district. Beat that.

It’s not about filling vacant street level spaces with whomever is ready to sign a lease. Far from it. It’s about finding those quality, intriguing, and relevant retail businesses that will make Pioneer Square an even better place to live, work, and visit. The recruitment strategy developed in 2012 with the help of community stakeholders suggested guidelines for a particular mix of restaurants, retail, and services. It also recommended leading the recruitment effort with food. 26 new storefront businesses opened in Pioneer Square in 2013, 15 of them restaurants. More are scheduled to open in this summer. Not a bad start, right?

What kinds of retail businesses are great candidates? Sometimes it’s an existing business ready to expand or try a new concept. Other times it’s a new venture that’s been the dream of someone working behind the lines for someone else. Sometimes it’s someone I’ve personally invited to take a walk around the neighborhood. Others find their way here all on their own. My goal is to generate a buzz about all that’s happening in our business district. When creative entrepreneurs are ready to “set up shop”, we want them to think about Pioneer Square. Regardless of how they get here, my job is then to help new businesses understand the vision of the neighborhood, help navigate the waters of administrative permits and approvals, connect them to whatever resources might be useful, introduce them to other businesses, and help them spread the word.

As the story of Pioneer Square’s revitalization gets more attention, I’m often asked “what was the real turning point?” Was it the restaurants? The apartments at Stadium Place? The tech companies? The King Street Station renovation? The streetcar? The waterfront? The stadiums? The ….?

Of course, you know the answer. It’s all of the above. And it takes time. Stadium Place, for example, was over ten years in the making. No one program, including the retail recruitment and business development program that fills my days, stands alone. If the Alliance for Pioneer Square hadn’t partnered with so many community stakeholders to weave a sustainable infrastructure based on a comprehensive neighborhood plan, the changes we’re buzzing about wouldn’t stand a chance.

For instance, if it hadn’t been for those long-fought battles:

  • The streetcar route would have ended in the Chinatown/International District.
  • Metered parking would still go until 8:00 PM.
  • After losing those hundreds of parking spaces under the viaduct, there would have been no mitigation dollars to subsidize short-term parking in four neighborhood garages to be cheaper than street parking – and fund free parking for First Thursday.
  • There’d be no marketing of the neighborhood. (Think maps, social media, and those awesome bus ads!)
  • There would be no advocate at the table to make certain our interests are represented in talks about the waterfront, street civility, transportation and public transit, parks, historic preservation, stadiums, housing, etc.

We’re not done. Not even close. We’ll continue to move things forward, welcoming all who care about the future of Pioneer Square to be part of the effort. I’ll continue to watch for cool retail to complement the anchors who have been here for decades, as well as the newest kids on the block.

I welcome all ideas and suggestions about possible retailers – or other kinds of cool uses – that you think might add to the magic of Pioneer Square. What have you seen in another neighborhood or what did you see during that trip to Florence, Prague, or Nashville that would be perfect here? I want to know. The coffee’s on me.

Oh, and be sure to sign up here to join me at the neighborhood Spring Clean on April 19.

 
KAREN TRUE
Director of Business Development
ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE

Community & Business Development Update – March 2014

Kristen-Honeycutt-Photo-Co_karensquare_smallJust sayin’…

Last week we heard from folks around the ‘hood who were thrilled to hear about Good Bar, the new venture by the owners of Marination Station, coming soon to the Pacific Commercial Building. We couldn’t be more excited and can’t wait to see that corner of the neighborhood come to life! (However, may we point out that we already announced Good Bar in last month’s newsletter? Our feelings are a little hurt, loyal readers.)

The newest London Plane is open and it’s a stunner. (Check out these pictures from a recent Eater post.) The food is, as you would expect, extraordinary. The retail side of things is a truly beautiful experience. And the flowers…….oh, the flowers…..

More BIG news and collaborations at Stadium Place… Cone & Steiner announced that they are opening a neighborhood market! Partners Josh Henderson (owner of Skillet & Quality Athletics), Dani Cone (owner of Fuel Coffee and High 5 Pie), and Retrofit Home owners Jon Milazzo and Lori Pomeranz plan to open their doors this fall. (Read more here.)  As if that wasn’t enough great news on S King Street, Jon and Lori announced that they will also be opening a Retrofit Home! Residents at The Nolo must be doing the happy dance, but this is great news for the entire neighborhood.

Reports from the Laika Lounge (co-branded with Trabant Coffee) grand opening last weekend were glowing. Though you may have missed that party, you can still get in on Chef Joseph Bollag’s special pre fixe Russian menu to be offered on March 15-16. Or just stop by after work to introduce yourself to Tatiana and the gang. Tatiana shared a little more about their vision. “Trabant is still in the same place; this is just an evolution. In addition to our menu of coffee, chai, and other beverages, we’ve added a fresh, local approach to Russian food and craft cocktails, making us more of a European style cafe. We’ve branded the food and cocktails side Laika Lounge. Trabant means ‘satellite’ in German and Laika (a Russian dog) was the first space traveler, so they fit hand in hand.”

Finally, we can announce that Damn the Weather will be opening in the space next to the New Orleans Creole Restaurant. Pioneer Square resident, Bryn Lumsden, has been working to make this place a reality for a long time. The paper should be off the windows for both places this spring.  Work is also underway at the future Taylor Shellfish and Intermezzo. But you already knew about those, right?

The days are longer and warmer. Get out there and see what’s happening in your neighborhood!

 

Karen True

Alliance for Pioneer Square

Business Development Director

Business & Community Update – January 2014

Kristen Honeycutt Photo Co.-038Between what’s new and what’s already happening in the neighborhood, we know it’s going to be a great New Year.

  • La Bodega, a Dominican eatery, is now open in the Prefontaine Building. The food is as amazing as everyone said it would be and the atmosphere is ever-so inviting. While chef/owner Manu Alfau welcomes phone orders for a quick pick up, you’re going to want to linger.
  • Mike Easton announced that he’ll be opening Pizzeria Gabbiano, a Roman-style pizzeria, in the gorgeous Pacific Commercial Building later this year. The news has created quite the buzz in Seattle’s food scene. If you’ve experienced Il Corvo, you know why.
  • Diva Espresso opened its doors in Smith Tower last month. The coffee, pastries, and elegant space are delightful. The baristas make visits a great experience. Stop by and say “hi”.
  • The Smeraldo family, owners of Pioneer Square’s fine dining anchor Il Terrazzo Carmine, announced plans to open a cicchetti bar serving “small bites” later this spring.  Intermezzo is going to be a fabulous addition to the neighborhood. Their sidewalk café will be a popular destination next summer!
  • Got your gear for the next big game? (Go Seahawks!) Game Day Sports opened in one of the new retail spaces in Stadium Place. If you go to the game, be sure to stop by the neighborhood concession stand or the beer hall at CenturyLink Field to enjoy the food of Pioneer Square restaurants – Salumi, Rain Shadow Meats, and McCoy’s Firehouse. Or check out any of the neighborhood bars or restaurants before or after the game.
  • The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is now Washington Bikes. In addition to the name change, they’ve added a retail storefront with the coolest selection of products and resources. It might even inspire you to pull out your bike before spring.
  • In other two-wheel news, Seattle E Bike will open the doors of their new space at 570 1st Ave S. this month, maybe even as early as Friday! We love it when growing Pioneer Square businesses stay in Pioneer Square.
  • Matt and the gang at Tarboo have been designing and creating gorgeous clothing in Pioneer Square for a long time. They took the big step and moved to a new space on 2nd Ave between James & Cherry that includes a retail showroom. Now everyone can explore and experience one of the neighborhood’s best kept secrets.
  • We’re all watching and eagerly awaiting the opening of The London Plane in the old bank space on Occidental Mall. We all know it will be worth the wait. (By the way, have you heard about their “Larder Share” program?)
  • HUB Seattle is expanding into the Pacific Commercial Building. They’re celebrating their new space, 220 & Change, on January 30 and the neighborhood is invited. Community Sourced Capital, funders of projects around the neighborhood and a company that started in the original HUB space, is opening their own office in the new building as part of the expansion.
  • And who is that person on the cover of Seattle Met Magazine? Why, it’s Jessie Poole of E Smith Mercantile!

As always, there is more news than can fit in this space. Stay tuned for more. Let’s keep business moving in Pioneer Square. Resolve to eat, shop, and explore more right here in the ‘hood. Here’s to 2014 and, please, stay in touch!

 

Karen True

Director of Business Development