Alliance for Pioneer Square – Page 79 – The Alliance for Pioneer Square works to help preserve what makes Pioneer Square the most authentic, engaging and dynamic neighborhood in Seattle.

Community & Business Development Update – February 2014

This week it’s all about the Seahawks, as it should be. Yet there’s more to look forward to in Pioneer Square in the weeks and months to come…

Taylor Shellfish signed the lease for a new space in the Washington Shoe Building, a few doors south of Rain Shadow Meats. Many chefs and restaurateurs have been eyeing this space and we couldn’t be more thrilled that Taylor Shellfish snapped it up. We’ll keep you posted as plans unfold.

Dean Haugen, owner of The New Orleans Creole Restaurant, is now in the midst of a major renovation that will make the space sparkle as it did when Ray Charles and his buddies were the main acts. They’ll be consolidating The New Orleans into half the space with a new bar, stage, kitchen, and bathrooms. And the menu will be fabulous.

The second part of the good news happening behind the papered windows of The New Orleans will be the opening of a “historic hangout, adventurous bar and kitchen”. Can’t tell you more just yet, but it’s going to be amazing. Stay tuned for details.

More good news from the Pacific Commercial Building at 2^nd Ave S & S Washington. The Good Bar will focus on classic cocktails. Details about the menu, concept, and everything else will be available soon. Be assured it’s going to be something special. The owners have proven their prowess with another popular Seattle business, so we know it will indeed be something special.

Little Uncle announced that they will be rolling out “Peeks Pantry”, PK’s line of condiments, sauces, and curry pastes. You’ll be able to buy red curry paste, dry roasted chilies, bun jam, and khao mun gai sauce for your own pantry at Little Uncle within the next couple of weeks.

Won’t be long now. Can’t wait for the opening of the newest addition to London Plane. And Trabant Coffee and Chai is getting closer to opening Laika Lounge – they just passed the liquor board inspection!

Finally, welcome to e-cig express on 1^st Ave S.

See you at the parade!

Karen True

Director of Business Development

Alliance for Pioneer Square

Downtown Access & Mobility Study

People and businesses are moving Downtown in greater numbers than we have seen in generations. From tens-of-thousands of housing units to a new waterfront and a possible arena, this incoming development is on par with the scale of investment in an Olympics host city or Lower Manhattan.

To get a better idea of what type of changes this development will bring in the next ten years, Historic South Downtown teamed up with Seattle’s Department of Transportation and the Downtown Seattle Association to study the impacts on access and mobility. Findings from phase one of this study resulted in three categories of recommendations: 1) construction hub coordination; 2) prioritization and coordination of major investments; and 3) best practices for construction impact mitigation in major cities.

To read more about phase one of this study or the recommendations, download the reports below:

Downtown Access Strategy Phase 1

Downtown Access Study Review

Don Blakeney

Historic South Downtown Board Member

Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area

Moving the Historic Washington Street Boat Landing

Washington Street Boat Landing removal process — Steel beams are installed to temporarily support the structure.

The Washington Street Boat Landing pergola is in the process of being removed, protected, and restored in anticipation of the Elliott Bay Seawall project. The move is slated for Sunday, February 9th and Monday, February 10th.

The historic boat landing’s iron shelter was built in 1920, and is one of three pergolas in Pioneer Square. The Pioneer Square Preservation Board gave its Certificate of Approval to move the structure to a storage site on Terminal 25, thereby ensuring its safety during construction. After the Seawall Project is completed, the pergola will be moved back to its original site and will be restored. Overseeing the project is the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) under Section 106 MOA agreements.

From supervising project manager, Jessica Murphy, PE with SDOT: “Preparations for the relocation have been ongoing since early January 2014. Bracing of pergola walls, removal of the roof, lead abatement and other preparatory work has been performed under the oversight of Ron Wright, our architectural specialist. We are now in the final stages of preparation for the structure relocation to a site at Terminal 25. The move will happen in two steps: 1) The move eastward off the current pier structure, and 2) The final move south to Terminal 25.”

Steps have been taken to ensure restoration of the pergola will be historically accurate. Under the Section 106 MOA rules, a rigorous documenting process has been put in place and organizers are actively photographing and video recording every part of the structure that is removed.

This move and plans for restoration could not have come any sooner! In September 2012, the Alliance for Pioneer Square contacted SDOT about signs of deterioration on the historic boat landing. We look forward to see it renewed on a world class waterfront in the near future.