The oldest Business Improvement Area in the city, the businesses of the Pioneer Square BIA fund beautification, marketing and promotion, and the Alliance’s neighborhood advocacy and activation.
Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area
Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are special assessment districts that are established to revitalize and enhance neighborhood business districts. The BIA is a self-help mechanism whereby Pioneer Square business owners choose to assess themselves. The oldest BIA within the City of Seattle, the Pioneer Square BIA was formed as a local business community effort to remain competitive in the marketplace. BIA’s include programs and services such as parking, marketing, beautification, security, and public area maintenance. The legal authority for the establishment and management of BIAs is set
dministrative Services (FAS) is responsible for developing BIA policies and setting the overall BIA program direction. Once a BIA is adopted by City Council, FAS is responsible for negotiating a management contract with the manager or management entity selected by the advisory board to run the BIA. FAS is responsible for ensuring that the manager or management entity completes all the provisions of the contract signed with the City of Seattle. FAS is responsible for the revenue collection and disbursement of funds, including preparing and distributing all assessment forms to business and/or property owners, collecting all assessment funds, depositing those funds in the BIA Fund Account in the City Treasurer’s office and reimbursing BIAs for eligible expenses.
Who manages the Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area?
The Alliance for Pioneer Square.
When does the stakeholder board meet?
The 2026 meeting schedule is as follows. Please RSVP by emailing BIA[at]pioneersquare.org.
Tuesday, February 10, 3-4p (Hybrid)
Tuesday, May 12, 3-4p (Hybrid)
Tuesday, August 11, 3-4p (Hybrid)
Tuesday, October 13, 3-4p (Hybrid)
What is happening?
The programs primarily include neighborhood advocacy, beautification, business development, and promotion. BIA resources are used to fund activities that directly support ratepayers and in support of activities that will benefit the entire neighborhood. Where activities support the entire neighborhood the Alliance garners additional revenue from corporate underwriting, grants, mitigation and fund raising.
Pioneer Square BIA 2025 Work Plan and Budget
View the complete BIA 2025 Work Plan here. The Alliance garners additional revenue from grants, mitigation and fundraising. BIA assessment dollars are used in support of all revitalization activities. The BIA works to maximize its impact on the neighborhood by leveraging investments into Pioneer Square.
2025 Activities
Alliance staff implements programs for Neighborhood Leadership & Capacity Building, Business Development, Communications & Marketing, Improvements to the Public Realm, and Advocacy.
Read our January 2026 Update on our accomplishments in the last half of 2025.
Leadership, Advocacy, and Capacity Building
- Lead on-going board, staff, and volunteer development
- Continue to build on relationships built through Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan and other efforts
- Continue to collaborate with the Pioneer Square Residents Council and Circle the Square
- Act as district representative on large-scale projects including ST3, WOSCA, and King County Civic Campus Planning
- Produce a 2030 strategic plan to direct the Alliance’s focus for the next five years
Business Development
- Allocate Inspiration Fund support to spur creative ideas for Pioneer Square
- Host (4) neighborhood networking events throughout the district
- Focus on relationships with brokers and landlords to steward changing tenant landscape
- Connect businesses with appropriate City, County, and State resources
- Support work to promote Pioneer Square as a local and regional arts and cultural destination
- Work to prepare the neighborhood for the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Communications/PR/Marketing
- Implement a summer and winter advertising campaign
- Host (2) neighborhood tours with the concierge guilds of Seattle
- Continue successful PR lifestyle campaign
- Produce 2025-26 Pioneer Square Map and Guide
- Continue the successful First Thursday Art Walk free parking program
Public Realm
- Continue summer flower basket program and winter holiday lights installation
- Work with stakeholders on the Occidental Promenade project
- Move forward planning for a Pioneer Park capital project
- Support neighborhood branding in the Public Realm through banner maintenance and bike racks
Public Safety & Civility
- Advocate for a safe and clean neighborhood
- Support work outlined by the PSQ Public Safety whitepaper and plan
For a more in-depth look at our 2030 Strategic Plan, follow this link: www.allianceforpioneersquare.org/strategy