Alliance for Pioneer Square – Page 54 – The Alliance for Pioneer Square works to help preserve what makes Pioneer Square the most authentic, engaging and dynamic neighborhood in Seattle.

Working Toward 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.

Business & Community Development Update- March 2015

The energy in the neighborhood is palpable, a great feeling as spring unfolds in Pioneer Square.

The reasons are many:

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• Intrigue Chocolate Co. has signed the lease on the new retail space just east of the intersection of Jackson and Occidental. Owners Aaron Barthel and Karl Mueller currently operate from a small kitchen down Washington street west of 1st avenue on the second floor of a historic building. Despite being a bit tricky to find, their walk-in traffic has grown to exceed the small shop’s capacity. A dedicated street-level shop will give them more room for their conversational-style retail and chocolate tasting experience. Look for their sign to go in the window in a couple months. Want to help support the build-out of the space and chocolate tasting bar? Check out their Community Sourced Capital fundraising campaign.
• Could we be more excited? The Sounders FC season kicks into gear with the first match on Sunday, March 8. GO SOUNDERS!
• The opening of Nordo’s Culinarium and “Don Nordo del Midwest”, the inaugural show in Pioneer Square’s Globe Building at 109 S Main will be next month. Check out the article in this month’s City Arts, then order your tickets at CafeNordo.com.
• Nirmal’s will be serving “re-imagined” Indian food on Occidental Ave in the Interurban Building soon. The build-out is happening and plans for signage and a sidewalk café will go to the Preservation Board are in the works. Gita Bangera, the owner, reports that Chef Nirmal’s visa was approved. He’ll be arriving in Pioneer Square in the next few weeks.
• The Faerie Queen at 90 Yesler Way is shooting to be open for lunch and happy hour on Monday! Una Kim, the owner, says the focus will be seafood and they’ll be serving oysters for lunch and happy hour Monday-Friday.
• Kraken Congee, a popular pop-up restaurant with an enthusiastic following, will open in the neighborhood very soon. Where? You’ll need to wait just a little longer for that announcement. To be among the first to know, follow them here. (Or follow us at @PioneerSquare for up-to-the-minute neighborhood updates.)
• We’re thrilled about the opening of the Mariane Ibrahim Gallery at 608 2nd Ave. “Maimouna Guerresi—Light Bodies” will no doubt draw lots of attention during this month’s First Thursday Art Walk. Stop by and welcome them to the neighborhood!
• Gallery Frames completed their move to 311 3rd Ave S. Though Daniel says they’re still getting settled, they’re open for business and eager for everyone to stop by to see the new digs.
• Sweetgrass – a new organic, whole foods restaurant is scheduled to open this fall in the long-vacant space on 1st Ave S between Damn the Weather and Tango Zulu. Their plans for a juice bar – and juice growlers – are creating quite the buzz. Colleen Kerr and Michael Moon are opening another location in a different Seattle neighborhood this summer, but we all know where they will really shine, right?
• Girin is still on track to open their seasonal Korean restaurant in Stadium Place next month. Chef Brandon Kirksey, formerly of San Francisco’s flour+water and Ethan Stowell’s Tavolata will lead the kitchen.
• As you may have heard, the Post Office at 93 S. Jackson is looking for a new space. We are working with the USPS real estate brokers to help them find another space in the neighborhood. We’ll keep you posted as more information is available.
• AND construction on 200 Occidental is underway. The developer for this game-changing development is Urban Visions. Weyerhaeuser – in case you haven’t heard – will be the office tenant.
And for Pioneer Square business owners who’d like to learn more about the implementation of the Minimum Wage Ordinance, there are a few public meetings that may be helpful, including an event sponsored by OED and WorkSource scheduled for April 8. I’m compiling a list, so give me a shout if you’d like details. You can also go direct to the City’s Minimum Wage website for more information.
Wow. That’s a lot of information, yet I’m sure I forgot something. These are great times in our neighborhood. Get out there to see what you can see and stay in touch!
Karen True – karen@pioneersquare.org

Interurban Building Installs New Alley Lighting

Next time you pass by the alley next to Tat’s Delicatessen off Yesler, look up at the new alley light fixtures on the Interurban Building. These new attractive lights replace the standard wall packs. Grant Wojahn, Quote Wizard and Pioneer Square BIA Board, headed up the project to make the alley a safe and pleasant route. Grant took on everything from applying to the Pioneer Square Preservation Board, negotiating with the building owner on permission and costs, and managing the contractor. The project also involved cleaning up old unused wires and conduit on the building façade.

The project drew inspiration from the alley lighting concepts developed by Leni Schwendinger, Olson Kundig Architects and SvR Design Company. This team was hired under the leadership of Pioneer Square based International Sustainability Institute (ISI) with funding from a Seattle Department of Neighborhoods grant to develop surface and lighting designs. Since 2008, ISI has spearheaded efforts to make our alleys safe, walkable and active routes. The new lighting concept illustrates suggested lighting for Pioneer Square alleys from overhead string lighting to light fixtures. The intent is to inspire building owners, residents and businesses to improve their alley lighting and replace energy consuming lights.

In other alley news, check out the new alley door at Casco Antiguo. Another fantastic example of illuminating the alley by opening up the back of a restaurant.

If you’re interested in finding ways to illuminate your alley, check out the alley lighting concepts here or drop me a line (liz[at]pioneersquare.org).