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.
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. 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 by the City of Seattle and City Finance is responsible for developing BIA policies and setting the overall BIA program direction. Once a BIA is adopted by City Council, a management contract is negotiated with the manager or management entity selected by the advisory board to run the BIA.
The City is responsible for ensuring that the manager or management entity completes all the provisions of the contract and is responsible for revenue collection and disbursement of funds, including preparing and distributing all assessment forms to business and/or property owners, collecting all funds, depositing those funds in the BIA Fund Account in the City Treasurer’s office, and reimbursing BIAs for eligible expenses.
The Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area (BIA) sponsors the annual Inspiration Fund matching program. This program is intended for community members of all kinds to implement projects and programs with a positive impact in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. Program goals include celebrating neighborhood diversity, benefiting the community, and creating a positive impact in Pioneer Square.
Example projects include murals, public art, experiences, or public events. The BIA encourages applicants to propose their best and most creative ideas!
Paul D. Mckee, Co-chair| Project-106 | Art/Retail
Emily Kim, Co-chair | The Pastry Project | Restaurant/Retail
Barry Blanton, Secretary | Blanton Turner | Professional Services
Adam Hasson, Treasurer | SAMIS | Property Owner
KJ Roff | Silver Cloud Hotel Seattle – Stadium | Hotel
Dani Cone| Cone & Steiner General| Retail
Jane Nelson | Nelson & Nelson PLLC | Professional Services
Matthew Remington | Undead Labs| Upper Floor Technology Company
Aidan Sakakini | Sew Generously Bespoke | Retail
The Alliance for Pioneer Square.
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)
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.
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.
