Business & Community Development Update: August 2015

As summer winds down, businesses are ramping up to begin build-outs for their spaces.

Flatstick Pub is bringing an indoor mini golf course with a fabulous selection of locally-sourced beers to the basement of the Pacific Commercial Building (aka Furuya Building) at 2nd Ave S & S Main St.
Gary Manuel Salon is moving from Belltown to Pioneer Square! They’ve leased the long-vacant space at 2nd Ave & James St in the Collins Building. They plan to open in early 2016.
The Estate Wine Room will bring a collection of fine Washington wines to their tasting room at 307 Occidental Ave S. They hope to be open before the end of the year. More details to come.
The Pioneer Square Post Office will be moving from their space on S Jackson to 217 1st Ave S before the end of the year.

The ribbon cutting for Galvanize, the tech-education company at 111 S Jackson, is scheduled for Friday, August 7 at 4:30 PM. Stop by if you’re in the vicinity. We’re delighted they’re part of the neighborhood.

The Mayor is seeking candidates to fill four vacancies on the Pioneer Square Preservation Board. The four positions available are for a historian or architectural historian, human services representative, district property owner, and architect. The deadline is Friday, August 7. More information available here.

Have you heard that the first Seahawks preseason game against the Denver Broncos will be at CenturyLink Field on August 14? Curious about upcoming stadium events so you can make decisions about staffing, parking, or planning your own event? Bookmark both the CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field event calendars so you’re always in the know.

See you in the neighborhood!

Public Safety Survey & Street Civility in Pioneer Square

Public Safety & Street Civility in Pioneer Square

On Tuesday August 11th, 2015 we conducted a Public Safety Open House to continue the conversation about public safety and street civility in Pioneer Square. We had a great turnout, but the conversation didn’t stop there! We also created a brief online survey which closed August 21st to hear more opinions on how to make a safer Pioneer Square. On behalf of the Alliance for Pioneer Square, the Pioneer Square BIA, and the Pioneer Square Residents Council we thank you for sharing your concerns and ideas. Your input was vitally important and will be key in developing a multifaceted set of strategies regarding street civility and public safety.

Those strategies will include:

Advocacy with the Mayor, Police Chief, City Departments and the City Council
Implementation of tools and strategies for neighborhood residents and businesses
Communication

Please check back to hear the results from your input and the next steps we will take to make our neighborhood even better!

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).