update – Alliance for Pioneer Square

Business & Community Development Update: August 2015

As summer winds down, businesses are ramping up to begin build-outs for their spaces.

Flatstick Pub is bringing an indoor mini golf course with a fabulous selection of locally-sourced beers to the basement of the Pacific Commercial Building (aka Furuya Building) at 2nd Ave S & S Main St.
Gary Manuel Salon is moving from Belltown to Pioneer Square! They’ve leased the long-vacant space at 2nd Ave & James St in the Collins Building. They plan to open in early 2016.
The Estate Wine Room will bring a collection of fine Washington wines to their tasting room at 307 Occidental Ave S. They hope to be open before the end of the year. More details to come.
The Pioneer Square Post Office will be moving from their space on S Jackson to 217 1st Ave S before the end of the year.

The ribbon cutting for Galvanize, the tech-education company at 111 S Jackson, is scheduled for Friday, August 7 at 4:30 PM. Stop by if you’re in the vicinity. We’re delighted they’re part of the neighborhood.

The Mayor is seeking candidates to fill four vacancies on the Pioneer Square Preservation Board. The four positions available are for a historian or architectural historian, human services representative, district property owner, and architect. The deadline is Friday, August 7. More information available here.

Have you heard that the first Seahawks preseason game against the Denver Broncos will be at CenturyLink Field on August 14? Curious about upcoming stadium events so you can make decisions about staffing, parking, or planning your own event? Bookmark both the CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field event calendars so you’re always in the know.

See you in the neighborhood!

Interurban Building Installs New Alley Lighting

Next time you pass by the alley next to Tat’s Delicatessen off Yesler, look up at the new alley light fixtures on the Interurban Building. These new attractive lights replace the standard wall packs. Grant Wojahn, Quote Wizard and Pioneer Square BIA Board, headed up the project to make the alley a safe and pleasant route. Grant took on everything from applying to the Pioneer Square Preservation Board, negotiating with the building owner on permission and costs, and managing the contractor. The project also involved cleaning up old unused wires and conduit on the building façade.

The project drew inspiration from the alley lighting concepts developed by Leni Schwendinger, Olson Kundig Architects and SvR Design Company. This team was hired under the leadership of Pioneer Square based International Sustainability Institute (ISI) with funding from a Seattle Department of Neighborhoods grant to develop surface and lighting designs. Since 2008, ISI has spearheaded efforts to make our alleys safe, walkable and active routes. The new lighting concept illustrates suggested lighting for Pioneer Square alleys from overhead string lighting to light fixtures. The intent is to inspire building owners, residents and businesses to improve their alley lighting and replace energy consuming lights.

In other alley news, check out the new alley door at Casco Antiguo. Another fantastic example of illuminating the alley by opening up the back of a restaurant.

If you’re interested in finding ways to illuminate your alley, check out the alley lighting concepts here or drop me a line (liz[at]pioneersquare.org).

Business & Community Development Update – February 2015

The lease is signed and the process of build-out has begun at 111 S. Jackson. Galvanize will be a technology campus for students and start-ups. They will also host events. Galvanize will be occupying the entire building, with the exception of the retail spaces at street level – Dry Soda on 1^st Ave S and the currently vacant space on the corner of 1^st Ave S & S Jackson. We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Artifact Gallery is opening their doors for this month’s First Thursday at 313 First Ave S. Joshua Majchrzak, the gallery owner, describes Artifact as a gallery and “merchant outfitter”. Curious? Stop by to check it out and welcome Artifact to the neighborhood!

And venture down the street to introduce yourself to Ross Burtness and his team at Surface Theory at 536 1^st Ave S. Their new showroom will feature custom flooring, furniture, and fine art. You will be amazed.

Sticking with art for a minute, have you heard about the Arts Periodicals Library at The New Foundation Seattle at 312 2^nd Ave S? The library is a free and a great way to be informed about thoughts and events in the world of contemporary art.

Pioneer Square is known for its creative and collaborative vibe, so it’s no wonder why the founders of The Pioneer Collective thought this would be a great location for their co-working space scheduled to open in April. Watch their website for more details.