Alliance for Pioneer Square – Page 50 – The Alliance for Pioneer Square works to help preserve what makes Pioneer Square the most authentic, engaging and dynamic neighborhood in Seattle.

Curb Ramps on Yesler!

ADA Improvements Continue

We’re happy to report on two new curb ramps on Yesler Way between 2^nd and 3^rd Avenues, right outside the Pioneer Square Link station entrance. For the longest time, there has been a mid-block crosswalk at this location, with no accessible way to get across for people with disabilities. What’s even more exciting is that these curb ramps were installed with cast iron truncated domes (those pads with all the little bumps before you enter the street). The cast iron meets ADA requirements and fits in with the look and feel of Pioneer Square. This work was requested by the Alliance for Pioneer Square and funded by the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Street Fund (which funds community requested transportation projects). Additional funding for the curb ramp design came from a federal grant which is funding more curb ramps for 2017 construction.

Business & Community Development: February 2016

Kinesia Pilates

Many of you are already familiar with Kinesia Pilates. Christl Marcontell opened her original space in Pioneer Square in 2004 and just moved into the Nord Building at 314 1^st Ave S. Kinesia is all about head-to-toe general fitness and agility training for improved athletic performance. In addition to offering “Pilates training to help you do what you want to do everyday”, the new studio includes a retail storefront with quality activewear. Feeling good and looking good – what a lovely addition to the neighborhood! We’re delighted Christl is part of the Pioneer Square story.

Karen True
karen(at)pioneersquare.org

Pioneer Passage Lights

With all the lights up during the holiday season, you may have missed the new permanent lights in Pioneer Passage, the alley located just south of Yesler between First & Occidental. Overhead LED lights now crisscross the alley from building to building. Planning for the project started back in 2013. For several years residents and businesses have been bringing life to this alley. Before people got involved and started keeping an eye on the alley, illegal dumping was often a common occurrence. Now garbage pick-up is more under control. Planter baskets and art line the alley buildings. Last year Casco Antiguo installed a back patio, proving to be a popular destination in the sunnier, warmer months. Even with these improvements, the alley still had low-light levels.

The Metropolitan Improvement District and Alliance for Pioneer Square provided the funds to make the light installation a reality. Olson Kundig donated design expertise in developing the Preservation Board application, materials and hardware for the project. Adjacent buildings generously agreed to cover utility costs. The International Sustainability Institute and the Alliance for Pioneer Square executed the project. And Nikki Somers at the Alliance persisted in finding solutions to get the design permitted.

The overhead lighting now makes it even more inviting for people to walk through Pioneer Passage. To learn more about lighting options for your alley, check out the Pioneer Square Alley Lighting Guidelines.