Alliance for Pioneer Square

New businesses keep coming to Pioneer Square. They choose our neighborhood because of what you– all who work and live here right now–have put in place. They’re eager to work with you and make their own contributions to the Pioneer Square story. And like you, they believe future opportunities outweigh the headaches of our current construction challenges.

Here’s a quick look at who’s new to the neighborhood and who will be here soon:

Welcome to:

• 13 Coins –This 24-hour Seattle institution is now open at the base of the new Embassy Suites hotel at 255 S King.
• Browne Family Vineyards Tasting Room – The space is lovely and the wine is amazing. 411 1^st Ave S.
• A special welcome to our new corporate neighbors at Avalara and Saltchuk. We’re delighted you’re here.

Coming soon:

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square – 255 S King St. Very soon.
• General Porpoise Coffee & Doughnuts – 411 1^st Ave S. We’ll be enjoying doughnuts before the end of the month.
• The 101 –101 S Jackson. A new gallery and event space opening this summer.
• Counter Culture Coffee Training Center – 319 1^st Ave S. They plan to open before the end of the month and are planning a neighborhood event. Stay tuned.
• Even Stevens – 211 1^st Ave S. We don’t have many details yet. We do know the lease was signed and plans are underway.
• RPM Pizza – 2^nd Ave S & S Main, between Manu’s Tacos and Elm Coffee. They’ll be reopening soon. (Hooray!) Stay tuned.
• Evergreens – 104 1^st Ave S. They’re building out now and plan to be selling their amazing salads this summer.
• Dollop Coffee Co. – Pioneer Building. Stay tuned for more details.
• Canton Lofts – 123 Third Ave S. Spectrum Development Solutions received their certificate of approval to build apartments from the Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board last month. This is great news for the neighborhood. Stay tuned.
• Lady Yum – 116 S Washington. The buildout is underway and will be a fabulous addition to the beautiful alley resurfacing. We’ll keep you posted on progress.
• citizenM – The new hotel concept is looking to build on what’s now the surface parking lot at Yesler Way & Western.
• Best Western Pioneer Square is building an annex/addition, just south of their current property.

It’s easy to be excited about who’s new and who’s coming to Pioneer Square. Please stop by and introduce yourself soon. It’s also easy to be excited about our existing businesses. Their fierce commitment to the future of our neighborhood is inspiring. They’re going the extra mile and delivering their very best to customers and clients during these crazy times of construction. In return, now is the time for all of us to recognize and support the businesses who make Pioneer Square the neighborhood we love.

For example, let’s look at a particularly hard-hit block. Have you noticed the scaffolding on buildings on the west side of 1^st Ave S between Yesler and S Washington? On that block are neighborhood favorites: The Sovereign, Turabi Rug Gallery, Rudy’s Barbershop, Taco del Mar, Kigo Kitchen, Delicatus, and Caffe D’arte. Venture down Yesler to find: Café Paloma, Fresh Tangerine’s new retail space, and the spaces in the Best Western Pioneer Square: Fenix Tattoo, Millheads Barbershop, Julie’s Garden, and the Pioneer Square Saloon. And in back of the Best Western Pioneer Square, an addition is under construction. Walking west toward the water on S Washington, you’ll find neighborhood gems: Sake Nomi and Planet Java Diner. Come on – what’s a little dust and noise? Step out and show them a little love.

We’re eager to help you spread the word about what your business is doing these days. Be sure to post your events on the Pioneer Square calendar (here’s the link) and be sure to tag us on your social media. @PioneerSquare. We can’t promote events if we don’t know about them. And please let us know if you’re trying something new or making changes. We want to hear about it.

Thanks for all you do to make this such an extraordinary place every day.

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!