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
DSA surprises Leslie Smith with the Downtown Champion 2014 Award at the DSA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Award presented at Downtown Seattle Association Annual Meeting
SEATTLE –The Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) has named Alliance for Pioneer Square Executive Director Leslie Smith as the recipient of the 2014 Downtown Champion Award at today’s DSA 56th Annual Meeting.
The award was presented in recognition of Smith’s ongoing commitment to Downtown Seattle and for her leadership in the revitalization of Pioneer Square, which this past year has welcomed hundreds of new residential units and numerous new businesses, including eight new bars and restaurants, with another seven expected to open in the coming year.
Leslie Smith, Executive Director of the Alliance for Pioneer Square, accepts DSA’s 2014 Downtown Champion award.
Each year the DSA presents the Downtown Champion Award to an individual, company or organization that has made a significant impact in furthering DSA’s mission.
“Leslie personifies the title Downtown Champion,” said DSA President & CEO Kate Joncas. “She loves this city, loves her neighborhood and has made an unbelievable difference in the ongoing improvements to Downtown’s most historic neighborhood. Leslie and her team have really elevated Pioneer Square.”
Last year’s “Downtown Champion,” Seattle developer Matt Griffin presented Smith with the award on stage at The 5th Avenue Theatre in front of an audience of more than 600 Downtown Seattle residents, business and community leaders. Also joining in the presentation were Alliance for Pioneer Square co-chair and president of Daniels Real Estate, LLC Kevin Daniels, fellow Alliance for Pioneer Square co-chair and former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer, and Mike Flood Vice President of Community Relations for the Seattle Seahawks – presenting sponsor of the event.
Griffin, applauded Smith for her tireless effort and numerous successes already realized in spurring more economic and residential activity in Pioneer Square.
Daniels and Royer also praised Smith for her leadership and perseverance in the effort to rejuvenate Seattle’s oldest neighborhood.
Also participating in the award presentation were Pioneer Square residents Jen Kelly and Tija Petrovich, E. Smith Mercantile ower Kate Poole and Vulcan Community Relations Manager Phil Fujii.
Joining the Seattle Seahawks as DSA annual meeting sponsors were platinum sponsors Mack Urban, ShareBuilder 401k by Capital One and Vulcan Inc.; gold sponsors Amazon, Clise Properties, Comcast Business, Cushman & Wakefield| Commerce, GLY Construction, Helsell Fetterman, Howard S. Wright, McCullough Hill Leary, PS and Washington Holdings; media partners Seattle Channel and The Seattle Times; and venue sponsor The 5th Avenue Theatre.
In addition to Griffin, previous award recipients include: Tom Douglas (2012) Charles Royer (2011), Vulcan Real Estate and Seattle Parks Foundation (2010), FareStart (2007), Seattle Art Museum (2006), Plymouth Housing Group (2005) and Pike Place Market PDA (2004). In 2008 – the year of the DSA’s 50th anniversary – the award was presented to an initiative from each of the previous five decades including the Seattle World’s Fair, establishment of Seattle Housing Resources Group (now known as Bellwether Housing), Downtown’s cultural arts renaissance, Washington State Convention Center and Freeway Park, and Downtown’s Retail Core revitalization.
About DSA
Established in 1958, the Downtown Seattle Association (http://www.downtownseattle.com) is a member-based non-profit organization that champions a healthy, vibrant urban core. By advocating on behalf of business, non-profit, arts and residential interests throughout Downtown Seattle, DSA ensures that Downtown is a world-class place to live, work, shop and play.
Throughout Pioneer Square, there are heroes working to make the neighborhood a better place. GiveBIG and the Alliance for Pioneer Square honors our neighborhood heroes.
Jeff Lilley is the President of Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Most people only see the line outside the Union Gospel Mission in Pioneer Square, so here’s a snapshot of what is going on inside over the past year:
768,000 meals were served
21,000 counseling sessions
193, 242 nights of shelter
35 beds of medical respite working directly with Harborview and Swedish Hospital
7,728 blankets given out
1,500 individuals served in the dental clinic
608 individuals served in the legal clinic.
And these are only a portion of their services provided across Seattle. In addition to running this complex organization meeting basic human needs, Jeff has stepped up to serve on both the Pioneer Square BIA and Alliance Boards.
Thanks Jeff Lilley, for being our neighborhood partner in human services. What a hero!
You too can be a neighborhood hero on May 6th during the Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG event. Make a donation to the Alliance for Pioneer Square on our GiveBIG page on May 6th and have it matched by a percentage of the stretch pool fund. You’ll help continue our revitalization efforts in Pioneer Square to make it welcoming to everyone.
