update – Page 10 – Alliance for Pioneer Square

Community & Business Development Update – August 2013

Yep, I’m still leaning on you again to get out for a summer neighborhood walk. What better time to take another look at new developments in Pioneer Square?

Add Madboy Electric Vehicles to the “must see” list. They’re on 1^st Avenue South, just a little south of Railroad Ave. Not only will you discover the coolest electric bikes, there’s a good chance you’ll be convinced to take a test ride. Even if you’re not in the market for an electric bike, you’re going to love meeting Daniel and Maggie. And the things you will learn…
The official opening of AXIS Pioneer Square will be August 1 during the First Thursday art walk. A nod to the Globe Building’s rich history is evident throughout the space. The connection between the sidewalk on 1^st Ave South and Nord Alley in the back offers yet more opportunities to activate these unique public spaces.
The lease is signed. Finally. Manu Alfau will open La Bodega in the Prefontaine Building this fall. Stay tuned. This is welcome news.
The new Mediterranean Mix is open on Occidental Avenue between Yesler and S Washington, a welcome addition to the block.
Another First Thursday opportunity. The Nolo at Stadium Place will be giving hardhat tours August 1, 4:00-7:00 PM.
Have you heard that the Seattle Design Festival is coming to Pioneer Square? The dates are September 13-22. “The hub of the Festival will be at the ‘Design Block’ at Occidental Avenue South in Pioneer Square featuring large scale installations, design competitions, activities, and demonstrations investigating design’s impact on active lifestyles and healthy communities….” (From the Design Festival website.) Wow. Aren’t you curious?
Don’t forget to watch for the new Trail to Treasure kiosks around the neighborhood…since you’ll be out and about.
Only in Pioneer Square: Even if you’re not a soccer fan, you should check out the “March to the Match” that starts in Occidental Park one hour before every home Sounders game. These folks know how to have fun! (Click here for the Sounders FC schedule.)

I’ll be getting out of the office more in the upcoming weeks to look for retail and restaurant businesses that we might like in Pioneer Square. Who would you like to see in the neighborhood? Email me at karen@pioneersquare.org.

Final negotiations are underway on a few exciting retail/restaurant leases, but they’re not quite ready for prime time. We hope we’ll be ready to share more next month. If you’d like to get this kind of news when it breaks, follow us on Twitter @PioneerSquare.

Update to the Neighborhood – August 2013

Neighborhood Meeting on Street Civility

Close to 100 Pioneer Square residents, business and property owners turned out for an early morning meeting with City staff from the Mayor’s office, Seattle Parks, Seattle Police Department, Human Services and other partners to discuss our parks and public spaces and what we can all do to improve street civility. We heard updates and commitments to more targeted policing, increased Parks Ranger and cleaning services, and systematic outreach from Human Services to figure out who people are, what they need and want and get folks connected to services. These initiatives have begun…we need everyone’s participation and assistance. If you witness illegal or dangerous behavior in the parks please take a moment to call 911. Our collective action is need to make our situation better. If you are interested in attending on-going meetings regarding effort to improve street civility; please e-mail leslie@pioneersqurae.org.

Alliance staff are busy with marketing the neighborhood, recruiting additional restaurant and retail offerings, constantly managing construction impacts, and generally working to improve Pioneer Square for everyone. If you are interested in getting involved in a larger way in neighborhood activities please reach out; we are looking for ways to get everyone engaged.

AND once again, keep your eye on Occidental Square…if you haven’t visited the Wednesday Farmers Market, please step away from that desk and wander on down…the offerings are fabulous.

Thanks again for your support, enjoy the weather, and see you in the neighborhood!

Leslie Smith

Executive Director

Alliance for Pioneer Square

Community & Business Development Update – July 2013

While it’s always fun to report on new businesses, we thought you might like an update about a few of the buildings in Pioneer Square. These are the places that are attracting the attention of businesses interested in setting up shop in Pioneer Square, as well as expanding businesses already in the neighborhood.

Restoration of the Scheuerman Building at 1^st Avenue & Cherry Street is scheduled to begin soon, thanks in part to a 2013 Landmarks Capital award from 4Culture. The building is owned by the Aegis Group whose offices are on the third floor along with the Borgen Project. Other building tenants include Easy Joe’s, Café Bengodi, Spooked in Seattle, and 57 Biscayne. Two restaurant spaces on Cherry Street are currently vacant and available for lease.

The gorgeous Pacific Commercial Building (on 2^nd Avenue S & S Main Street) is now actively marketing its street level retail space and four floors of office space. Prospective retailers and restaurateurs have been eyeing the retail space, complete with massive bank vaults, for a long time.

Down the block at 2^nd Ave Extension S & S Main, Main St. Gyros is rebuilding after the fire that caused such havoc in May.

Owners of the Heritage Building at 1^st Avenue S & S Jackson are putting final touches on the vacant office spaces once leased by Microsoft. The spaces include many of the amenities one would expect in a former Microsoft space, as well as a jaw-dropping rooftop deck. Dry Soda is a current Heritage Building tenant. Plans are to expose more brick in the now vacant corner retail space sitting at one of the Square’s most prominent intersections.

Though renovation continues, office and retail spaces at the historic 619 Western Building are leasing with expected occupancy next year. The building exudes charm and character with intricately restored windows and views that will stagger once the viaduct comes down.

The neglected property at 304 Alaskan Way S has a new local owner, someone passionate about historic preservation, and is finally getting the attention that’s so long overdue. Once current work is complete, the building will be available for lease as office and warehouse space.

The work done behind the papered windows of the Travelers Hotel Building on Yesler, once home to Mitchelli’s Trattoria, has been dramatic. Interior walls were removed, bricks revealed, and natural light from the myriad windows fills the large open space, complete with the horseshoe-shaped bar. It’s no wonder so many prospective restaurateurs are dreaming about this space.

Of course, all the news isn’t about historic buildings. Construction at Stadium Place continues and the anticipation builds. (Check out the video about the project here.) More residents – a welcome addition to Pioneer Square – will be moving into the loft apartments at The NOLO in September.

Many more buildings are in the midst of renovations and tenant improvements. As always, give me a shout if you’d like to learn more. It’s an exciting time in Pioneer Square.