neighborhood – Page 6 – Alliance for Pioneer Square

Update to the Neighborhood – November 2013

Wow, is it really November? I find myself reflecting on this past year and how much has been accomplished. Pioneer Square has enjoyed many successes as well as trials during 2013. Such is the hard work of building and improving a neighborhood. Our thanks to each of you who have stepped up and joined us in making Pioneer Square better for everyone. When looking forward, we anticipate continuing our critical work to improve street disorder and safety with whomever is the victor in the Mayor’s race. Improving street civility and reducing suffering is critical to the future of Pioneer Square and all of downtown.

The Alliance is engaged in a year-end fund raising campaign to start 2014 even stronger than ever. If you haven’t contributed in the past or in this past year, now is the time to show your support for the Alliance and our work in the neighborhood. It’s all real easy, just click here.

And remember, we are a source of information about the ever challenging presence of the future coming at us as construction continues and expands: the tunnel, the gas main, street car lines and now the seawall replacement as well. (link to alliance website here) If you want to know about new restaurants and offerings, check out what Karen is saying. And then there are the events, parades, cooking classes, and fancy meals in the mall. There is always so much going on in our ever changing, complex neighborhood.

Once again, thank you for hanging in with Pioneer Square as we move into the future. See you in the neighborhood!

Leslie Smith

Executive Director

Alliance for Pioneer Square

Community & Business Development Update – November 2013

We’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 2^nd 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

If 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