Category: News

Lisa Dixon Howard will assume leadership of the organization

We are pleased to announce the selection of Lisa Dixon Howard as our new Executive Director. Lisa will fill the vacancy created by Leslie Smith’s departure in January to join Vulcan Inc. as their Public Policy Director of Government & Community Relations. Lisa has most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for the past 3 years.

“The Transition Committee discussed and debated what lies ahead for the organization and what type of leadership is needed to guide us successfully through those challenges, explained Ryan Smith, Co-Chair of the Alliance Board of Directors. “I’m pleased to report that we came to unanimous agreement, in that the leadership we currently need resides within the organization with our current COO, Lisa Howard. Lisa’s deep knowledge of the neighborhood and strong network will serve her well in this new role.”

Lisa holds a Masters of Business Administration through the University of Washington – Michael G. Foster School of Business. She has been active in helping to shape the environment of downtown Seattle for the last decade, with experience in strategic planning, management, problem solving, and operations. She previously served as the Interim Executive Director of an early precursor to the Alliance for Pioneer Square, and currently serves as a board member for the Friends of the Benson Trolleys.

“We are so pleased to have Lisa Howard stepping into the Executive Director role,” stated Barry Blanton, Co-Chair of the Alliance Board of Directors. “In March, Lisa will be celebrating her 10th Anniversary with the Alliance, and the organization couldn’t be in better hands as we move forward.”

It’s hard to believe there are only two months left in 2017! As the Alliance turns its focus towards planning for the next year, we’re reminded of how much we’ve been able to accomplish over the last year in Pioneer Square thanks to the support of our community members. During 2017, the Alliance worked steadily towards achieving successes in the neighborhood through our programming, marketing, and community action work. After negotiating a positive outcome in the important Alaskan Way Waterfront agreement, we have been engaged in the continuing planning process to ensure vital access to the waterfront for the neighborhood. We expanded our capacity to better tell our story by bringing on a new team member to serve as the Director of Communications, and she is leading the development of a comprehensive strategic communications plan. Finally, the Parks and Gateways project is energetically moving forward with planning processes for both Pioneer Park and King Street Station Plaza. It’s an exciting time in our organization, and we want you to be a part of it!

We’re reaching out to our community right now and inviting you to join the growing neighborhood momentum by offering your support to the Alliance for Pioneer Square. Your gift allows us to engage in the vital work of strengthening, preserving, and promoting the amazing assets the Pioneer Square neighborhood provides to Seattle residents and visitors alike. Pioneer Square is a place rich in history, art, and innovation. It’s really unlike any other neighborhood, and we’re thankful that people like yourself recognize and value the importance of championing that. Here’s how you can be involved:

 

1. Join us by giving your generous gift of support:

• Give online at: bit.ly/Donate2PSQ -OR-
• Mail your gift to P.O. Box 4507, Seattle, WA 98194

You can also check with your employer to find out if they offer a matching gift program to make your donation go even further. For questions about making a gift, please contact Lisa Howard at Lisa@pioneersquare.org or by calling 206.667.0687 Ext 102.

 

2. Help us spread the word! Let your family, friends, and colleagues know about our organization and invite them to follow us on social media here:

• Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, & Twitter – @pioneersquare

 

Thank you again for being such a strong advocate for the neighborhood, and for supporting our work to showcase Pioneer Square as the heart of the Seattle!

As we slide into fall, it’s a grand time to discover and rediscover the array of stores and restaurants in our neighborhood. Here are some of the latest additions, as well as a glimpse of what’s coming…

NEW AND OPEN FOR BUSINESS:

• Cherry Street Coffee moved across the street from their original location on Cherry Street to their new space at the corner of 1^st & Cherry. It’s big, it’s beautiful, and it’s just the beginning of what’s to come to the Good Arts Building.
• Kigo Kitchen is open at 105 1^st Ave S. It’s a new collaboration with Ethan Stowell and we’re thrilled they’re part of the neighborhood.
• Prepare to be enchanted when you stop by Callus at 1^st Ave S & S Jackson. It’s a unique concept that supports local artists, craftsmen, and small businesses. While you’re there, introduce yourself to Donnie Bo and Lusha Chen and ask about their two other locations in China.
• Did anyone NOT notice the opening of The Halal Guys? The line of customers wrapped around the corner at 1^st & Yesler gained all sorts of attention. What a fun and tasty addition to the neighborhood!
• I Heart Sushi is serving Sushi and Poke Monday through Friday at 111 Yesler Way. (Yes, by night it’s the Trinity Nightclub.) They also serve Full Tilt ice cream. How wonderful to see people enjoying themselves there all times of the day.
• RPM Pizza is attracting even more people to the great mix of businesses in the beautiful Furuya-Corgiat Building (aka Pacific Commercial Building) at 2^nd Ave S & S Main Street. It’s no surprise Pioneer Square business owners Ward Van Allen (Casco Antiguo) and Duffy De Armas (Piranha Shop) would come up with something as cool as Revolution Pizza Music.
• You may have already heard about Flora & Henri, but do check it out if you haven’t. The transformation of the space at 1^st Ave S & S Jackson is stunning. Read a lovely piece about Jane Hedreen and her business here.
• X Y Z Gallery is one of the reasons you need to spend some time at the Tashiro Kaplan Lofts at 3rd Ave S and S Washington. And First Thursday is right around the corner…
• Atelier Drome, an architecture firm responsible for the design of several Pioneer Square restaurant spaces, just opened their new offices at 110 Prefontaine S. They are bringing new life to a long vacant corner in the neighborhood.

 

COMING SOON:

• General Porpoise will be bringing DONUTS to the space next to Flora & Henri at 1^st Ave S & S Jackson! Stay tuned for details.
• Browne Family Vineyards is busy building out their space for a new wine tasting room on 1^st Ave S, across the lobby from Intermezzo Carmine.
• Counter Culture Coffee is bringing a new barista training institute to a space in the Crown Building on 1^st Ave S. Once open later this fall, they will offer free taste tests to the public every Friday at 10:00 AM.
• XStadium, a new sports bar in the Duncan Building (former 88 Keys), hopes to be open later this month. We’ll tweet updates as we receive them.
• Embassy Suites by Hilton and 13 Coins plan to open for business in December. What a wonderful addition to Pioneer Square this will be.
• Drygoods Design is expanding! We can’t wait to see what Keli and her team have in store for us.
• Saltchuk employees will be moving into the beautiful new building at 450 Alaskan Way in December. Many of them have been wandering around the neighborhood during Friday tours, to get a glimpse of what will soon be their new home. We’re eager for them to be part of the Pioneer Square story.
• The Seattle Design Festival returns September 9-22 with a special “Block Party” in Occidental Square Park (and beyond) September 9-10.
• A longtime Pioneer Square business, Recology, will showcase their Artists in Residence program in the space next door to Zeitgeist at 165 S Jackson. Thanks to all who helped make that happen.