Pioneer Square Health Impact Assessment

Pioneer_Square_HIA_final_16June2014_Page_01Does Pioneer Square need a grocery store? According to a study recently completed by the Health Impact Assessment graduate class at the University of Washington we do. The Pioneer Square Health Impact Assessment (PDF) considers the neighborhood’s built environment, community and social services, mobility, and economic issues, all with an eye on the effects on human health. Other key findings include:

  • Provide a public toilet in the heart of the neighborhood
  • Encourage developers to include affordable housing in new residential buildings
  • Continue the expansion of bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks

Much of the assessment considered the goals and objectives of the neighborhood’s 2015 plan, Pioneer Square 2015—A Strategy for Seattle’s First Neighborhood. Members of the 2020 strategic planning subcommittees will use the study to inform their recommendations for areas of focus during the next five years.

We’re deeply grateful to the students and faculty who produced the assessment. Their labor, analysis and expertise will help the Square continue to improve through a greater understanding of our condition and the strategies we can use to improve.

 

David Yeaworth

Deputy Director

Alliance for Pioneer Square

Downtown Access & Mobility Study

Future center city transportation network

People and businesses are moving Downtown in greater numbers than we have seen in generations.  From tens-of-thousands of housing units to a new waterfront and a possible arena, this incoming development is on par with the scale of investment in an Olympics host city or Lower Manhattan.

To get a better idea of what type of changes this development will bring in the next ten years, Historic South Downtown teamed up with Seattle’s Department of Transportation and the Downtown Seattle Association to study the impacts on access and mobility.  Findings from phase one of this study resulted in three categories of recommendations: 1) construction hub coordination; 2) prioritization and coordination of major investments; and 3) best practices for construction impact mitigation in major cities.

To read more about phase one of this study or the recommendations, download the reports below:

Downtown Access Strategy Phase 1

Downtown Access Study Review

 

 

Don Blakeney

Historic South Downtown Board Member

Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area