Pioneer Square Small Business Support Program
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The Alliance for Pioneer Square is now accepting applications for the Pioneer Square Small Business Support program.
The Alliance is acutely aware that the current COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic disruptions threaten the health of our community.
With an initial $100,000 in funding from
Historic South Downtown
and an additional $20,000 from the
Seattle Sounders RAVE Foundation
,
the Alliance aims to support Pioneer Square businesses and non-profits in a direct way by granting funds to allow business owners to invest in new ways of conducting business during this time.
The Pioneer Square Small Business Support program will support the Alliance’s initiative to address critical needs to stabilize, to the greatest extent possible, our neighborhood’s nonprofits and small businesses, so that they are able to remain in operation, maintain employment levels, and sustain workplace opportunities, until the current emergency subsides or additional emergency funding becomes available.
This program will specifically be focused on assisting businesses in creating, sustaining, or enhancing an active online presence. The funding may be used for, but not limited to:
- Creating and hosting a website
- Building out an online store
- Marketing online food or product sales and/or pick-up or delivery services
- Setting up and hosting virtual classes
- Streaming virtual art or music shows
- Increasing business capacity related to effort
100% of the initial funding will go directly to businesses in the district, with administrative costs covered by previous funding from Historic South Downtown and the Alliance general fund.
Deadline for applications will be on June 12, 2020 at midnight. Funding decisions can be expected by June 29th, 2020.
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Support Pioneer Square Market Place
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The Alliance for Pioneer Square, in collaboration with DEI Creative, has launched an online marketplace as a tool for member businesses to generate revenue through online sales during the Coronavirus pandemic.
On the
Pioneer Square Marketplace
site, shoppers can view curated selections of products and purchase directly from Pioneer Square boutique retailers, restaurants, bars, art galleries, salons and more. Businesses can also feature gift cards for purchase. The site includes a restaurant directory takeout/delivery function that links customers directly to Pioneer Square restaurants for easy ordering of takeout or delivery. The takeout section is a convenient way to help customers order food and support their favorite local restaurants through one online location.
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Message from Our Executive Director
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Meet Lisa
Lisa is the Executive Director at the Alliance for Pioneer Square, leading the Alliance team’s collaborative efforts and response strategy to the ongoing public health crisis. As events have continued to unfold over the last few months, Lisa has continued to advocate for the neighborhood and the issues that impact Pioneer Square at the city, county, and state levels.
Pioneer Square COVID-19 Response Plan
The Alliance for Pioneer Square is working relentlessly to provide guidance and support to the Pioneer Square community and continues to work to ensure recovery for the historic district. Before the pandemic hit, the Alliance was dedicated to help preserve what makes Pioneer Square the most authentic, engaging and dynamic neighborhood in Seattle, by effectively implementing programs in the following areas: business development, communications and marketing, advocacy, public realm, and leadership. “Our mission is still true today,” Lisa states, “Pioneer Square was built on grit and intention – over time people here have demonstrated their ability to face challenges head on and overcome adversity. 2020 is no different. The resiliency and response we have seen since COVID-19 hit is apparent across industries and stakeholders in Pioneer Square.”
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Business News and Updates
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COVID-19 Resources for Pioneer Square Small Business
The Alliance for Pioneer Square recognizes the public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 virus on Seattle’s small business community.
We have compiled a series of resources intended to assist small business owners, managers, and employees minimize the public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 virus on themselves and their community. We will revise this and all associated pages with more information as it becomes available- please check back for updates.
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Kigo Kitchen mural created by VK Signs and Leo Shallat,
funded by the Alliance for Pioneer Square and Pioneer Square Resident's Council.
Pioneer Square's storefront mural project, funded by the Pioneer Square BIA, is creating art to bring joy and a spot of brightness to the neighborhood.
The
Pioneer Square Resident's Council
has partnered with the Alliance for Pioneer Square to help fund several store-front murals as part of our temporary mural project. Through Pioneer Square Residents' Council funds and individual donations, residents have funded a total of 10 murals, all employing local Pioneer Square artists. Thank you to the Pioneer Square Residents' Council and to all who have donated to this project for supporting our wonderful and talented Pioneer Square artists.
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L-R:
Flatstick Pub mural created by Jay Mason,
funded
by the Alliance for Pioneer Square and Pioneer Square Resident's Council; Murals in Pioneer Square interactive map.
Visit our
website
to see more artwork and take a virtual tour of all the murals in Pioneer Square through our
interactive map.
Thank you to the Pioneer Square art community, business owners and all the artists that have partnered with the Alliance for Pioneer Square to bring this project to life.
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June First Thursday Art Walk Impacts
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Pioneer Square art galleries remain temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with Washington's Stay Home, Stay Healthy emergency order and Safe Start reopening plan. We will continue to market Pioneer Square's galleries and encourage Seattle's art community to check with individual galleries on their offerings on First Thursday and other days. Additionally, the First Thursday Free Parking program will not be in effect on Thursday, June 4 due to the potential number of closed galleries.
We also encourage our arts community to participate in
By the Hour
, a one-hour virtual First Thursday Art Walk live broadcast, showcasing art, gallery tours, interviews and more. The broadcast, created by
Civilization
is free to view every First Thursday from 6:30-7:30p. To learn more about By the Hour or if your gallery is interested in participating in the upcoming event contact the team at Civilization
here
.
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“Art Outside the Box” Public Art Project:
Extended Call For Public Comments
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We Still Want To Hear From You!
The Pioneer Square Residents’ Council is working on Phase 2 of their public art project in the neighborhood. Using the theme
"
Our First Community"
, the second phase of the theme began last year and is currently still in progress. Part of the project's approval process is a submission to the Pioneer Square Preservation Board and they want to hear what you think. Please go to
FEEDBACK
and comment on the designs.
Artists with enrolled tribal membership in Coast Salish tribes submitted their ideas and a jury of Native American art and design professionals, community leaders and representatives of the Pioneer Square business and residential community selected the artwork for five signal boxes on Jackson Street between 1
st
Street and 4
th
Avenue S.
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Sound Transit and King County Metro Fare Suspension and Service Reductions
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Sound Transit Impacts
Effective June 1, Sound Transit will offer temporarily reduced
Recovery Fares
in response to the economic impact of COVID-19 as the agency re-introduces fares on Link light rail and Sounder.
Temporary Recovery Fares come as the region prepares for the next phases of recovery and the expected gradual return of riders. Beyond providing money to support transit operations, the resumption of fares will also allow Sound Transit to increase safety and security for essential riders. All transit staff will continue to wear face masks, and all Sound Transit passengers will be directed to wear face coverings consistent with expanded public health directives. Under current health directives customers are reminded to limit travel to essential trips. Riders should also
follow social distancing and other critical health guidelines to protect the community.
Previously announced service reductions will remain in effect while Sound Transit works with its operating partners on plans for future improvements and s
chedules will be posted on the
Reduced Service
page. Learn more about Sound Transit impacts
here
.
King County Metro Impacts
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Pioneer Square Nighttime Neighborhood Patrol
Public safety in Pioneer Square remains a top concern for many businesses and residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Alliance for Pioneer Square is working to address and prioritize concerns in a practical and meaningful way during these unprecedented times. Through the month of May and June, the Alliance for Pioneer
Square has contracted with
Homeland Patrol Division Security
(HPDS), a local private security guard agency, to provide courtesy security patrols in the district and create a visual deterrence to criminal activity during late hours. HPDS provides nightly reports to the Alliance for Pioneer Square staff and reports criminal activity to the Seattle Police Department in real time.
For questions or comments regarding the new neighborhood patrol services, please contact Sara Pizzo at
sara@pioneersquare.org
.
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Occidental Square Park Pavilion Update
Occidental Square has transformed into the lively heart of the Pioneer Square neighborhood, with colorful café seating, new planters, artwork, ping-pong tables and musical performances
. The park’s newfound popularity and high attendance at regular free events has inspired donors to invest in two major capital projects. The first project, completed in the summer of 2019, was the new play area at the north end of the square, with climbing equipment, safety surfacing, and an attractive steel and timber bench where people can sit and enjoy the park and watch their children play. The second project is a graceful new wood and glass pavilion at the south end of the square. The structure, which will replace an existing outdated kiosk, will serve as a visitor center, performance stage, and well-lit shelter in inclement weather.
The pavilion will be partially built offsite.
Groundbreaking at the park is scheduled for late spring/summer and will be based upon the state of public health recommendations. Once started, construction is expected to take about four months. Park programming and operations will continue during construction, with temporary fencing around the site to keep it secure and keep park visitors safe.
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Neighborhood Construction Updates
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Pioneer Square
Areaways Program
SDOT recently implemented a strict vehicle weight limitation, increased commercial vehicle enforcement, and modified commercial vehicle load zone locations beyond the 1st Ave corridor.
Following SDOT’s phase 1 work in 2019, phase 2 in spring 2020 focuses on S Jackson St curb lane restrictions and S Main St freight route upgrades.
As part of their assessment of Pioneer Square's areaways, S Jackson St emerged as having both potentially vulnerable areaways and curb lanes that allowed heavy vehicles at the streetcar stop. SDOT has decided to implement curb lane restrictions on S Jackson St that effectively close the street to heavy vehicles between 1st Ave S and 2nd Ave S. To maintain heavy vehicle access, SDOT has opened S Main St to heavy vehicles by removing the decommissioned waterfront trolley platform on S Main St in April 2020.
Visit the
project page
for more information regarding the SDOT areaways program.
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Waterfront Seattle Construction Ongoing on New Alaskan Way
Waterfront Seattle has begun building a new Alaskan Way.
Waterfront Seattle's initial work zones will span from S King to Marion streets. Activities include establishing work zones, mobilizing equipment, potholing work, breaking pavement and excavation for utility installation. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM with occasional overnight and weekend work.
Here's how you can stay up to date on Waterfront Seattle construction:
Head to
Waterfront Seattle's website
for more information and to sign up for email updates. Text "WFSCN" to 474747 to receive text updates. You may also contact Waterfront Seattle
via email
or by phone at (206) 499-8040.
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Construction Roundup
(Note: Most construction has resumed after being paused due to COVID-19.)
Best Western Annex
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Highlights:
(The Seattle Times)
(The Seattle Times)
Restaurant & Retail News:
(The Seattle Times)
Arts & Culture News:
(KING 5)
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Find us on Facebook
Are you a resident or business owner in the neighborhood?
The Alliance for Pioneer Square recently created a
Facebook page.
This page will communicate resident and business owner specific news/information that to compliment our more general
Pioneer Square Facebook page.
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Alliance For Pioneer Square | 206.667.0687
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