Alley Progress

Alley Rendering — (Alley design team: MIG|SvR, Olson Kundig)

Work begins in May to resurface two Pioneer Square alleys. Pioneer Square’s alleys are more walkable and inviting due to the collective efforts of art and lighting installation, resident stewardship, businesses opening and building façade improvements. In 2013, the International Sustainability Institute received a Department of Neighborhoods matching grant to redesign two alleys with a surface design acceptable to the Preservation Board, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), utilities, residents and businesses. Before completing the design, ISI partnered with the Alliance and Seattle Chinatown International District Public Development Authority (SCIDPDA) to secure funding for three alleys – Canton Alley, Pioneer Passage and Nord Alley.

Nord Alley lies to the south of Occidental Park, between 1^st Avenue S and Occidental. The alley connects Main Street to the new streetcar on Jackson. North of the park, Pioneer Passage runs from Washington to Yesler. These alleys feature shops, restaurants, event spaces and beautification efforts. If you’ve ever been Casco Antiguo’s back patio, you’ve traveled through Pioneer Passage.

The work is divided into two phases: utility upgrades & resurfacing. First, Seattle City Light will dig a trench through Nord Alley to upgrade the aging electrical network (approximately May – June). At the same time, several private properties will upgrade utilities. Once completed, utility work will shift to Pioneer Passage (approximately July-Aug). In the second phase (fall 2016), SDOT will upgrade stormwater systems and resurface the alleys with a Pioneer Square Preservation Board-approved brick pattern. The refinished alleys will provide much-needed utility upgrades and inviting, accessible alleys.

Funding is possible through a federal Transportation Alternatives Grant, Office of Economic Development, Seattle City Light and CenturyLink. We are working closely with the city to collaborate outreach and provide communication throughout the length of the project. For any questions, please contact liz@pioneersquare.org. More information. https://allianceforpioneersquare.org/what-we-do/public-realm/alley-activation/alley-designs/

Pushing for a more accessible Pioneer Square

In January, the Alliance reported on the new Jackson Street sidewalk repair, a community-led effort to repair one of the most traveled entries into Pioneer Square. This effort was a result of the International Sustainability Institute’s Active Streets Report. The report listed over 40 inaccessible spots in the neighborhood, one of which was the Jackson Street sidewalk. While we are chipping away at improvements, many more repairs are necessary to link transit and destinations for everyone.

Since that time, we learned of a Seattleite working diligently to make Pioneer Square accessible. Frustrated by watching the struggles of others as they traveled around the neighborhood, as well as taking a few falls herself, Kiana Parker, alternative media coordinator at Seattle University Disability Services, took action. She mobilized a tour of the Square with Councilmember Tom Rasmussen in December to give him a first-hand account of what it’s like to get around Pioneer Square using a wheelchair. Real Change covered that story here.

Next, Kiana partnered with the Alliance for a follow-up tour with Seattle’s new Director of Transportation, Scott Kubly. On March 6, a group of 20 people from Seattle University and the Pioneer Square neighborhood met Director Kubly to help him experience the challenges of navigating Pioneer Square.

Traveling by wheelchair the entire trip, Director Kubly managed to stay upright on slanted sidewalks, navigated steep curb ramps, and pushed through cobblestones ramps. At one point, Kubly ended up in the middle of a crosswalk when the traffic signal changed because he was so focused on the challenges of the sidewalk and using the wheelchair. In the end, he thanked our team for the eye-opening tour.

In 2014, SDOT received federal Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding to repair curb ramps in Pioneer Square and the Chinatown International District. Due to the high cost of repairing ramps in historic districts, funding will cover only design engineering. The Alliance will continue to seek funding sources and partner with neighbors, disability advocates and the City of Seattle for construction funding to complete this project and make Pioneer Square accessible for everyone.

Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Construction Closures

Visit WSDOT’s website for a complete list of closures. Closure information changes frequently, so remember to check for updates throughout the week.

Highlights for Friday, Oct. 19 – Monday, Oct. 29

North:

Long-term street closures

Sixth Avenue North between Thomas and Republican streets, Harrison Street between Broad Street and Aurora Avenue North and Republican Street between Sixth Avenue North and Aurora Avenue North are closed for SR 99 tunnel construction. These streets will reopen after the SR 99 tunnel opens.

Monday, Oct. 22 and Tuesday, Oct. 23

Southbound Sixth Avenue North will be closed between John Street and Denny Way from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Thursday, Oct. 25

Denny Way will be reduced to one lane in each direction at Sixth Avenue North from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. both nights.

Central:

Next week:

Monday, Oct. 22 – Friday, Oct. 26

Seattle City Light crews will close one southbound lane on First Avenue between Cherry and Columbia streets from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Seattle City Light crews also will close two out of three lanes on Columbia Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Monday, Oct. 22 through the morning of Friday, Oct. 26

Railroad Way South between South King Street and First Avenue South will be closed from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. Local access will be maintained.
Police officers will alternate traffic on Alaskan Way between South King and South Washington streets from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly.

Monday, Oct. 22 – Thursday, Oct. 25

The south half of Post Avenue between Madison and Spring streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

Friday, Oct. 26

The north half of Post Avenue between Madison and Spring streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

Tuesday, Oct. 23 – Friday, Oct. 26

The south side of Madison Street between First Avenue and Western Avenue will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Until further notice

South Jackson Street is reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction between First Avenue South and Seventh Avenue South from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for First Hill Street Car construction.

South:

Saturday, Oct. 20

Seattle Parks and Recreation Department crews will close the right lane of northbound First Avenue at Yesler Way from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Quick links:

Current work: The most up-to-date resource for construction related to the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement.
Traffic: Real-time conditions on Seattle area highways and many connecting streets.
Transit: WSDOT funded additional bus service along routes affected by construction.
Bike/walk: We maintain a safe and reliable path for bicyclists and pedestrians through the construction area.

Website links

Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program

SR 99 Tunnel Project | South Holgate Street to South King Street Project