News – Page 85 – Alliance for Pioneer Square

City of Seattle seeks candidate for Pioneer Square Preservation Board

City of Seattle seeks candidate for Pioneer Square Preservation Board (PDF)

The city of Seattle invites residents to apply for the open architect position on the Pioneer Square Preservation Board. Individuals who have an interest in the historical preservation of the district are encouraged to apply.

The 10-member Pioneer Square Preservation Board reviews land use, new construction, changes of use, facade alterations, signs, and street improvements within the Pioneer Square Preservation District. Members serve a term of three years and are eligible for reappointment. Applicants must reside within the city of Seattle and should send a letter of interest and resume by March 22, 2012.

The goals of the board are to preserve, protect and enhance the historic character of the Pioneer Square Historic District. The board is composed of two district property owners, two architects and one of each of the following – retail business owner, attorney, historian/ architectural historian, human services representative, member-at-large, and a young adult appointed through the Get Engaged Boards and Commissions program.

Board meetings are held 9:00 a.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. In addition, board members may be asked to serve on an additional committee which also meets twice a month.

To apply, email your letter and resume by March 22 to Genna.Nashem[at]seattle.gov (reference Pioneer Square Preservation Board in the subject line). To submit a paper copy, address it to: Genna Nashem, Pioneer Square Preservation Board Coordinator, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, P.O. Box 94649, Seattle, WA 98124-4649.

The City of Seattle is committed to promoting diversity in the city’s boards and commissions. Women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, young persons, senior citizens, persons of color, and immigrants are encouraged to apply.

The Pioneer Square Preservation District is coordinated by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program. The Historic Preservation Program handles the identification and protection of more than 450 historic structures, site, objects, and vessels, as well as eight historic districts throughout Seattle. For more information, contact 206.684.0464.

Strobe Smoke Alarms for Seattle Residents

Pioneer Square residents may qualify for a free smoke alarm from the fire department. The Seattle Fire Department is providing and installing Gentex strobe smoke alarms that plug into an outlet. There is no cost for the smoke alarm or installation. Seattle residents who are deaf or hard of hearing would be considerably safer with a strobing smoke alarm should they experience a fire at home. A working smoke alarm is known to reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 50%.

To qualify, a person must be Deaf or Hard of Hearing and live in Seattle. Renters need permission from landlords before they can be installed.

Contact William Mace of the Fire Prevention Division at (206) 386-1337 or email william.mace at seattle.gov. Check the Smoke Alarms webpage for more information.

Retail Recruitment

The Alliance is committed to actively engaging businesses and supporting economic growth in the neighborhood. One such effort includes creating a retail vision for the neighborhood and expanding the mix of unique retail tenants in existing and emerging economic clusters. Efforts are underway to interview neighborhood stakeholders and understand the existing conditions. The developed retail vision will form a merchandise mix plan with recommendations of the ideal retail mix and combination that is most suitable for Pioneer Square. Over time the retail mix will change, supporting the success of the neighborhood. The Alliance is committed to maintaining this capacity within the neighborhood.

The Alliance has contracted with nationally recognized and local consultants from Downtown Works to implement a successful retail recruitment strategy to train local people to find and recruit independent retailers to the Pioneer Square neighborhood. Margaret McCauley, the Founder and Principal of Downtown Works is an expert at creating and implementing sustainable retail strategies that turn decaying urban zones into vibrant, vital downtowns. Ms. McCauley’s method combines quantitative data, such as demo- and psycho- graphics, with rigorous qualitative observation. Throughout her career, she has drawn on the resources and perspectives of retailers, private developers, corporations, urban planners, and design professionals to help her clients successfully transform their downtowns into dynamic environments.

Let’s work together to improve and expand the retail vitality of Pioneer Square.