update – Page 12 – Alliance for Pioneer Square

Annual Update to Neighborhood Stakeholders with Mayor Mike McGinn

On March 18, 2013 at HUB Seattle, the Alliance for Pioneer Square led a public discussion with Mayor Mike McGinn about current neighborhood conditions. Since the Pioneer Square Commercial District Revitalization Project started in 2010, the mayor has updated neighborhood stakeholders once a year. See below for highlights about the public meeting and click here to download the latest report.

The New Pioneer Square – “Pioneer Square Revitalization 2013 Update”

Office of Economic Development’s Bottom Line – “Pioneer Square Revitalization 2013 Update”

Department of Planning and Development’s Building Connections – “Pioneer Square Economic Development Report”

In 2009, members of the Pioneer Square business community met over six months to discuss priorities and actions needed to create a vibrant and robust commercial business district. The document that came out of that stakeholder process was the Pioneer Square 2015 Neighborhood Plan. The Alliance for Pioneer Square launched in June 2010 to lead implementation of the Neighborhood Plan, which outlines a set of actionable Community and City strategies to address key issues in the neighborhood. See the Office of Economic Development’s page for more on the Pioneer Square Commercial District Revitalization Initiative process.

Puget Sound Energy natural gas relocation work taking place on South Jackson Street between Second and Third avenues

InfraSource, Puget Sound Energy’s natural gas service provider, started construction today along South Jackson Street between Second and Third avenues (see map). The work is to relocate portions of PSE’s natural gas system in coordination with the construction of the Seattle First Hill Streetcar Project. We expect the relocation work to be completed on or around April 21, 2013.

Work, which is expected to take place Mondays through Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., will entail open trenching in the roadway, relocating the existing 2-inch natural gas pipeline out of the pathway of the streetcar tracks along South Jackson Street, working with adjacent natural gas customers to relocate service lines to their property, and site restoration. We recognize the inconvenience to the neighborhood, and will do our best to minimize construction impacts as much as possible, including discontinuing work during major events in the area.

For more information on this project and other natural gas relocation projects in the area, please visit PSE.com/Viaduct. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Todd Beckley, InfraSource project manager, at 425-765-0551.

Community & Business Development Update – April 2013

It’s still happening in Pioneer Square.

Rain Shadow Meats Squared is open at 404 Occidental Ave S and rocking the neighborhood. Russ Flint and his team offer the most beautiful meats imaginable, gorgeous sandwiches and salads for lunch, a “butcher happy hour”, and a Saturday brunch (reservations only) that is a truly welcome addition to Pioneer Square.

Speaking of welcome additions, The Lodge Sports Grille has transformed the NW corner of 2^nd Ave S & S King since their opening last month. The woodwork, the food, beer selection…where to begin? Shawn, Beth, Kelli, Ryan and all the gang are planning a ribbon cutting/grand opening celebration for the neighborhood on Friday, May 10. Besides celebrating all the great things happening in Pioneer Square, they thought it’d be a great way to kick off Seattle Beer Week. Stay tuned for details.

Watching E Smith Mercantile prepare to open in the Grand Central Park building was an exercise in patience. It was worth the wait. What will you find? Home goods, high quality basic apparel, gift items, and surprises. This summer they plan to open a very small craft cocktail bar in the back. You need to see it. Their mercantile concept makes for a great story. Jessie and Kate invite everyone to stop by for today’s grand opening, appropriately on First Thursday.

Got your tickets for Café Nordo’s production of SMOKED at The Kitchen by Delicatus yet? Opening night is May 2 – First Thursday, of course – and tickets are going fast. The modern day Spaghetti Western will include craft cocktails and “western inspired fare.”

With more restaurants in place, interest in talking about retail is on the rise. If you know of a quality business that would add value to our neighborhood, let us know.

Karen True

Community & Business Development Specialist

Alliance for Pioneer Square