Seawall construction starts week of November 18

Waterfront meetingFrom Waterfront Seattle:

Seawall Construction Materials (PDF)

After years of careful planning and coordination, we’re ready to begin seawall construction!  Starting the week of November 18, you’ll see construction begin in earnest on the waterfront. The first step is to build a new roadway beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct that will carry all north/south traffic during construction of the new seawall. To make way for this, angled parking spaces under the viaduct, as well as those spaces between Pike and Virginia streets will be removed and traffic will be shifted to the east. Read below for additional information. For questions about Seawall construction send us an email at seawall@waterfrontseattle.org or call our 24-hour hotline at 206.618.8584.

Seawall construction starts the week of November 18

Near term activities will include:

  • Mobilization of equipment and materials.
  • Placement of safety fencing at the perimeter of the work area.
  • Removal of angled parking adjacent to and under the Alaskan Way Viaduct between Madison and Pike streets initially, and later all the way to Virginia Street.
  • Posting “No Park” signs as early as November 14.
  • Removal of trees and signal poles on the west side of Alaskan Way (in the sidewalk area).
  • Construction of the temporary roadway beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
  • Ongoing utility and telecommunications relocation work.

What you can expect:

  • Construction hours will be Monday through Saturday, both day and night. The noisiest work will stop each day by 10 pm and resume at 8 am.
  • No work is expected on major holidays.
  • One lane in each direction maintained on Alaskan Way.
  • Access to east side businesses maintained on the access road immediately east of the viaduct.
  • The multi-use path on the west side of the viaduct will be open, with interim closures and detours in the vicinity of Pike Street.
  • Increased noise, dust, and vibration.
  • Increased truck and oversized vehicle traffic moving equipment and materials.
  • Contractors can park work vehicles within the construction work zone, but are not allowed to park in on-street, short-term parking.
  • Flaggers will be present at different locations within the work zone to manage construction traffic and public access though the construction area.

Construction snapshot activities over the next week

Seawall

On Friday, November 8 underground utility work will take place on the east side of Alaskan Way between Pike and Union streets. Here’s what to expect:

  • Working hours will be 8 am to 3 pm.
  • On-street parking restrictions will be in place for the duration of the work.
  • Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane.
  • Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times.
  • Work will include pavement removal, jackhammering and excavation.

Waterfront Seattle

Union Street utility investigations started yesterday near Western Avenue and Post Alley. Pedestrian and local access will be maintained throughout the work. Working hours are weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm.

Starting Monday, November 4, crews will be performing geotechnical investigations under the viaduct between Pine and Lenora streets. The work is necessary to gather information about the soil as the design for the future Elliott Way connection over the BNSF railroad progresses. Work will occur weekdays between 7 am and 6 pm and last approximately two weeks. See the attached flyer for more information.

For questions about Seawall construction, send us an email at seawall@waterfrontseattle.org or call our 24-hour hotline at 206.618.8584.

Community & Business Development Update – November 2013

Shawn O'Donnell American Grill & Irish PubWe’re having fun now….

Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill and Irish Pub just opened their doors in Smith Tower.  While they are having fun with the beer theme, Shawn and the gang have created a welcoming place for all ages.  You’ve got to stop by to meet them and see what they did to this gorgeous space.

The long-awaited opening of Altstadt is tantalizingly close.  The new “authentic bierhalle and brathaus, German cousin to Hitchcock Restaurant & Deli” will be opening their doors any day now.  And thanks to Altstadt owner, Brendan McGill, for the shout out about E. Smith Mercantile’s new bar across the street.  We’re all in this together, right?

More about E. Smith Mercantile…  The recent Seattle Times article about their new and charming Back Bar will give you an idea of their latest endeavor.  If that weren’t enough, they’re also serving coffee and pastries at the bar Monday-Saturday, 10 AM – 2ish.  How cool is that?

SO many people will be doing a happy dance when Manu Alfau opens La Bodega at 100 Prefontaine Pl S.  If all goes as planned, the neighborhood will be enjoying Puerco Asado con Repollo before the month is out.  Check out photos and more news @labodegaseattle.

It’s tough to keep up with all the good press that Pioneer Square businesses are getting these days.  Fun posts we saw last week:  The Seattle Times wrote about Gina Batali, owner of Salumi’s, and the Friday rush at Il Corvo Pasta got the attention of Seattle Eater.  The article about Pioneer Square artist, Celeste Cooning, was tremendous fun.  She was responsible for the fabulous installation of sailboat sails that drifted above Occidental Park.

Fun food events are coming to the neighborhood this month, though you’re out of luck if you didn’t jump on the tickets.  Both sold out quickly.  On November 15, Little Uncle will host Andy Ricker for Pok Pok: Breakfast at Little Uncle.  On November 18, Occidental Mall will be transformed when Bar Sajor and The London Plane host an outdoor dining event for Rene Redzepi, chef and owner of the world-renowned Noma Restaurant.  Chef Matt Dillon will partner with Blaine Wetzel of Lummi Island’s Willows Inn to prepare a 4-course locally-sourced dinner for those quick enough to get those coveted tickets.

New is fabulous, yet keeping Pioneer Square businesses IN Pioneer Square is just as fabulous.  Ebbets Field Flannels is settled in their gorgeous new space at 119 S Jackson.  And Tarboo is finally opening a storefront on 2nd Avenue.  (Yet another happy dance.)  Stay tuned for details about their opening.

Finally, the press was all over the big news about 13 Coins coming to Pioneer Square.  It will be at the base of the Embassy Suites Hotel scheduled for construction next year.  The 24-hour restaurant will offer yet another dimension to options in Pioneer Square.

Please help me stay on top of the latest news and give me a shout anytime.  It’s great to be part of Pioneer Square.

 

Karen True

Community & Business Development Specialist

Alliance for Pioneer Square

Give Feedback on First Avenue Streetcar

Streetcar at Jackson & OccidentalIf you missed the Center City Connector Open House on October 29th, you can still learn about the options and provide feedback online. The goal of the Connector is to connect the South Lake Union and First Hill streetcars through downtown, to make it easier for more people to get north-south. SDOT has honed in on a streetcar along 1st Avenue, connecting Jackson Street to Westlake. They are now looking at operating details – this streetcar could share a lane with traffic, or run in its own lane. Each option has its trade-offs.

For more details on the options you can read about them here. To send your input, take the survey here.

Do you think the streetcar should have its own lane? Or should the streetcar be mixed in with traffic? The purpose of this survey is to get feedback on which option you prefer and why. It should take about 10 minutes to complete. Thanks for sharing your ideas! Your comments will help inform a final recommendation that staff will make to the Mayor and City Council in late 2013/early 2014. You can learn more about the project background and the analysis leading up to this point at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/centercityconnector.htm