update – Page 2 – Alliance for Pioneer Square

Tunnel Project Update

WSDOT and Seattle Tunnel Partners conducted additional survey work early Sunday morning (12/7/2014) to further assess the amount and extent of settlement that recently occurred on and near the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Some of the data was inconclusive and analysis is still underway; however, WSDOT observed that a small amount of differential settlement is occurring near the access pit. Differential settlement is when the ground settles unevenly over an area. When the ground settles evenly or uniformly over an area, there is less risk of damage.

The additional survey work did not find that the differential settlement has caused any new damage to the viaduct nor have we observed any damage to buildings or utilities in the surrounding area. On-the-ground surveys will continue this week by historic architects and structural engineers.

Public safety is our top priority and while we have not seen any damage, Seattle Tunnel Partners is taking the prudent step to stop dewatering. The contractor will work with its geostructural designer to stop the dewatering in a deliberate manner in order to ensure worker safety and the structural integrity of the access pit and surrounding structures.

Data analysis, collection and monitoring will continue and we will provide updates as we have new information to share.

Update to the Neighborhood December 2014

Happy December Everyone. Let the Festivities Begin!

Tis the season. Shopping for the holidays? Shopping for yourself? Support your neighborhoods old and new.

First Thursday! Visit your favorite venues, see art, buy art, enjoy.

Shop the Square! Visit the participating stores, shop local, support the neighborhood. More information here.

Annual BIA Meeting! Save the Date.

The annual BIA meeting, open to all ratepayers in good standing is Friday, December 12^th from 4-5:30 at Altstadt. Please join us in a celebration of all we have accomplished, look forward to 2015, and raise a glass of holiday cheer. RSVP here.

And Pioneer Square Howlidays! Back by popular demand. People. Dogs. Fun. More information here.

Have a lovely month and see you in the neighborhood.

Leslie Smith

Executive Director, Alliance for Pioneer Square

Update to the Neighborhood – November 2014

Kevin Daniels and Karen True. Photo credit Andrew Vanasse, courtesy of Seattle Magazine.

Staff

Hats off to Seattle Magazine for recognizing what we have long known. We are delighted with their selection of our very own Karen True and Kevin Daniels as two of Seattle’s most influential people of 2014 for their work in Pioneer Square. See the full article here. Many congratulations for a well-deserved recognition.

We also welcome a new office manager to the Alliance, Carly Fromdahl joined us last week taking on all things office administration. Please join us in welcoming her to the neighborhood and the Alliance, great things ahead!

Street Civility

Our work on street civility and public safety continues apace of neighborhood need. Lisa has been attending both LEAD and the Multidisciplinary Team meetings focused on people in the neighborhood who are engaged in low level criminal behavior and are in need of services. I am serving on the Mayor’s Task Force about unsheltered people. We are working towards a set of strategies to assist people in need and address the large numbers of unhoused people across Seattle. The Pioneer Square BIA has been funding increased emphasis patrols of Seattle Police officers. Additional folks assigned to walk our neighborhood, meet with businesses and residents, and engage with folks. These emphasis patrols will continue at least through the end of the year when we will evaluate its continuation. And we added public safety to marketing dollars and expanded neighborhood lighting, we all feel better when it is lighter and brighter.

Save the Date: Mark your Calendar

The annual BIA meeting, open to all ratepayers in good standing is scheduled for Friday, December 12th from 4-5:30 at Altstadt. Please join us in a celebration of all we have accomplished, look forward to 2015, and raise a glass of holiday cheer.

Stay tuned, there will be many opportunities to become informed and involved. Thanks for your support and see you in the neighborhood.