Drop-in info sessions on Yesler Way Bridge rehab project

The Yesler Way Bridge, located over 4th Avenue South at the intersection of Yesler Way and Terrace Street.
The Yesler Way Bridge, located over 4th Avenue South at the intersection of Yesler Way and Terrace Street.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be holding drop-in information sessions regarding the Yesler Way Bridge rehabilitation project for the Pioneer Square community in November. The Yesler Way Bridge was built in 1910 and must now be renovated to meet safety and historic preservation guidelines. The project is at the 60% design stage and SDOT is reaching out to property owners, businesses, and residents to share information and discuss potential impacts to the community.

Join us at the following community drop-in sessions:

November 12, 3-6 pm – Union Station (401 S Jackson St)

November 13, 11 am – 1 pm – Prefontaine Building (110 Prefontaine Pl S)

See a fact sheet about the project here (PDF). See also SDOT’s project webpage and contact YeslerBridge@seattle.gov to submit questions or comments.

Business & Community Development Update – October 2014

Velouria's ribbon cuttingThe doors to Velouria opened last Friday in their beautiful space at Stadium Place. Cat and Chika, Velouria owners, borrowed our big scissors and ribbon to do a proper ribbon cutting. When you stop by to introduce yourself and check out their gorgeous clothes, you’ll also notice the interior door connecting them to Cone & Steiner. Such fun.

ribbon cuttingOther recent openings include Fleurt (Sam and the gang used our scissors, too), Drygoods Design, and Quality Athletics. Rumor has it that Clementines might be open in time for tonight’s Art Walk. We’re thrilled about the direction of retail in our neighborhood. And work continues behind those papered windows at Sprout (nice looking menu), Good Bar, and Elm Coffee, as well as the Nordo Culinarium.

Ward Van Allen, one of the partners at Altstadt, is teaming up with Paul and Tom Lyman and Chef Rodolfo Riveron to bring a new Mexican restaurant to Pioneer Square. Not only will Casco Antiguo be a welcome addition to Occidental Ave between Yesler and Washington, but their plan includes activation of the space in Pioneer Passage Alley, too. What?! Stay tuned!

We’re honored to welcome two new venues to today’s First Thursday art walk. Pilchuck Glass School will feature a preview of select items from their upcoming annual auction gala in their new office and exhibition space in the Pacific Commercial Building at 2nd Ave S & S Washington. One block south, The New Foundation will be welcoming all to visit their new Foundation HQ. While they await the construction of their permanent home in the JANDS Center, the space will house their growing periodical library and presentation space.

To many, it feels like the return of an old friend. Jeff Schoenfeld, owner of the Duncan Building on 2nd Ave S, searched for over a year to find a replacement for the statue that once graced the entrance of his building. Duncan & Sons Saddlery installed the original statue in the 1920s and left it in place even after the business moved to another location sometime in the late seventies. It disappeared during rehabilitation work after the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. The Duncan Building is now home to 88 Keys – and one handsome horse.

DuncanBuildingHorseBeen wondering about the plan for the spaces on Occidental Ave between Rain Shadow Meats and Taylor Shellfish? Seattle Sounders FC will convert the spaces into a fan friendly Clubhouse early next year. The Clubhouse will feature events, player appearances, live broadcasts, team interactive displays, historic artifacts, fan polling and viewing parties, all free to the public. Watch for more information on Soundersfc.com.

Don’t let the cooler days keep you inside. Get out for a walk. Visit old friends and businesses. Discover new ones, too. And perhaps this is the year you experience “Thrill the World“, the eighth annual worldwide simultaneous dance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, in Occidental Park on October 25 at 3:00 PM. (Check out a video of last year’s event here.)

Older, Smaller, Better Neighborhoods

Pioneer Passage Rendering

The Preservation Green Lab figured out why we love Pioneer Square: Older, smaller neighborhoods are better! The Lab studied neighborhoods around the country. Among other discoveries they found:

 1/ Older, smaller buildings provide space for a strong local economy

2/ Older business districts provide affordable, flexible space for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds

3/ The creative economy thrives in older mixed-use neighborhoods

4/ Young people love old buildings

 Join us for a discussion on the Older, Smaller, Better report and how Pioneer Square is a model of the movement to save and reinvigorate historic buildings and neighborhoods. A panel discussion will occur on Monday, September 15, 6:00-7:30pm at the Foster White Gallery, 220 3rd Ave S, Seattle. It’s part of the Design in Public festival and is free and open to the public. Hosted by Feet First. Refreshments served.

Our Panel:

  • Mark Hinshaw, FAIA, LMN Architects (Moderator)
  • Michel Powe, Ph.D, Senior Research Manager, National Trust for Historic Preservation
  • David Yeaworth, Deputy Director, Alliance for Pioneer Square
  • Lisa Quinn, Executive Director, Feet First

Hope to see you there!

 

David Yeaworth

Deputy Director

Alliance for Pioneer Square