News – Page 29 – Alliance for Pioneer Square

Business & Community Development Update – April 2014

I don’t have much to add since last week’s blog, but I’d like to mention briefly a couple of opportunities that remind me why Pioneer Square is such an extraordinary neighborhood:

The Spring Clean on Saturday, April 19 is an opportunity for everyone to roll up their sleeves to work side-by-side to make our neighborhood shine. Business owners, property owners, people who work in the neighborhood, people who live in the neighborhood, and people who love the neighborhood all have a vested interest in Pioneer Square. Behind-the-scenes planning has been underway for weeks so the event will be organized. We’ll accomplish a great deal in a short period of time. It’s going to make you feel great about being part of Pioneer Square AND you’ll get a great t-shirt. Sign up here.

4Culture’s annual LANDMARKS CAPITAL application period is now open. The deadline for submittal of online applications is Wednesday, May 14. Owners or long-term tenants of individual Seattle landmarks and contributing buildings in landmark districts are eligible to apply. Any type of ownership, whether private, public, or non-profit, qualifies. The funding range this year remains at $3,000 to $30,000. There is no longer a cash match requirement, although some level of owner cost share is encouraged. Grants are reimbursable, and work items completed prior to award notification are not eligible costs. Please help us spread the word. Landmarks Capital Applications are due May 14. For more information, contact Flo Lentz at 4Culture.

KAREN TRUE

Director of Business Development

ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE

Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Update – April 2014

Milepost 31 Events

First Thursday Speaker Series – Bertha and Progress on the SR 99 Tunnel Project

April 3, 2014
6 – 6:30 p.m.

You’ve been hearing a lot lately about our efforts to replace the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct. This is a big, complex undertaking. And as we all know, we’ve encountered some challenges. Join us this Thursday at Milepost 31 as speakers from WSDOT and our tunnel contractor, Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP), explain what’s being done to address these challenges and get Bertha, the SR 99 tunneling machine, moving again.

Speakers:

Matt Preedy, WSDOT’s deputy administrator for the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program
Chris Dixon, Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP) project manager

History Scavenger Hunt

April 19, 2014
1 – 4 p.m.

Join us at Milepost 31 for our monthly activity for kids. This month we’re hosting a scavenger hunt eggstravaganza (pdf 371 kb) to discover Pioneer Square’s rich transportation history. Hop on down with your family and friends to explore historic icons and hidden gems in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Test your knowledge, check out cool new Pioneer Square locales, and enter to win a grand prize furnished by the Alliance for Pioneer Square. Pick up your scavenger hunt kit at Milepost 31 between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m.

And don’t forget you can find regular updates about Bertha on Twitter by following @BerthaDigsSR99.

Community Takes a Stand for Compassion

March 15 Beating of Homeless Man Sparks a Plea for Respect, Resources for City’s Most Vulnerable

SEATTLE – (March 26, 2014) – The March 15 beating of a homeless man who was sleeping on the Seattle Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Pioneer Square, has rallied a diverse cross-section of individuals and organizations who are holding a “Stand for Compassion” gathering from 5:30 – 7p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 27 near where the attack took place in Occidental Square.

The event is a call for community conversation and engagement – intended to raise broad-based awareness about the need for greater respect toward Seattle’s most vulnerable citizens, and to begin a public dialogue on how to build a culture of compassion and a safer city for everyone.

“This sort of violence against the poor and vulnerable is unacceptable,” said Real Change Executive Director Timothy Harris, who is organizing the event. “It serves as a wake-up call for all of us who value a safe and respectful community, and puts a spotlight on the need for additional resources towards our goal of providing shelter for 1,000 of the currently homeless by 2015.”

“This latest incident is yet another unfortunate example of the everyday need for additional public safety resources that our businesses, residents and visitors have been asking for,” said Alliance for Pioneer Square Executive Director Leslie Smith. “A more visible police presence serves as a deterrent to bad behavior and allows for quicker response times when needed, particularly on event days when tens of thousands flock to our neighborhood.”

Attendees at Thursday’s event will be asked to take a stand for compassion and a better Seattle by signing a pledge for continued support and participation in addressing this issue. Speakers include representatives from Alliance for Pioneer Square, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Real Change, Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Sounders FC, as well Mayor Ed Murray and Seattle City Council. Additional supporters include CenturyLink Field, Compassion Network, Coalition on Homelessness, Downtown Emergency Service Center, Downtown Seattle Association and Seattle University among others.

A Facebook page has been established for the event with additional information and public comment at https://www.facebook.com/events/685670018157683/