Resource Roundup: February 16th 2022
Pioneer Square Business Stakeholders-

The Alliance for Pioneer Square team is working diligently to keep the Pioneer Square community informed regarding new resources and opportunities available to them. This roundup is part of a series of weekly messages capturing new resources and opportunities. Find each weekly email to date on our website.

*Please see this roundup's new resources and opportunities highlighted in RED*

What's Happening


  • *NEW* Due to declines in statewide COVID rates, Governor Inslee announced an end to a few emergency orders this week. This means that the Washington National Guard will end its deployment to hospitals on February 17th and hospitals can resume non-urgent procedures on February 18th. Outdoor mask requirement at large events will also end on the 18th. Conversations about when and how to safely change indoor mask requirements continue with announcements expected soon.

  • *NEW* King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin held a media briefing today announcing that King County's vaccine verification policy will end March 1st. The local health order requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test for entry into restaurants and bars, indoor recreational events and establishments, or outdoor events will no longer be in effect. Businesses and organizations may use their discretion to continue to implement their own vaccination verification rules for their establishments.

The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce will continue to help businesses navigate this policy and serve as the go-to resource for ramp-down of vaccine verification. Businesses can find updates and resources on KCVaxVerified.com.

  • *NEW* Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced new and improved testing options for Seattleites including new COVID testing sites and expanded capacity. Read about the announcement here.

  • *NEW* Mayor Bruce Harrell also announced that both residential and commercial eviction moratoria will expire at the end of the month of February. Mayor Harrell will issue an Executive Order extending the residential eviction moratorium from February 14 through February 28, after which the moratorium will not be renewed. In remarks given directly to the City Council and to the people of Seattle, this week the mayor gave his first State of the City speech with an update on the issues facing the City of Seattle, along with his early priorities and efforts to address them. A transcript and recording is available here.
Worker and Business Resources


  • How to maintain employee and customer safety after the requirement ends.
  • How to continue verifying vaccination in your business if you so choose after the requirement ends.
  • What to say to employees to foster a culture of safety.
  • What to say to customers who may think the requirement ends prior to March 1st.
  • Answers to your frequently asked questions.
  • New ideas for how to keep customers and employees safe: Masking, air circulation, social distancing, and more that won’t impact the employee or customer experience.
 
The webinar will also be available on instant replay 24 hours after the event. Register here.

  • *NEW* The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has re-opened it's statewide portal allowing individuals to order COVID-19 rapid tests online, shipped to their doorstep at no cost. Washingtonians can go to the portal to order rapid-antigen at home COVID tests kits (up to 5 free tests per household), or call 1-800-525-0127.

You can still get COVID-19 tests through any of the following options:
  • Order free at-home COVID-19 tests through the Federal program COVIDtests.gov.
  • Purchase an at-home test at local retailers and pharmacies.
  • If you have health insurance, most insurers will now directly cover or pay you back for up to 8 at-⁠home tests per month, for eacperson on your plan.
  • Find a test at a testing location near you.

  • The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is now offering dedicated permit services for future tenants of downtown vacant storefronts and small businesses citywide. The goal of this new service is to provide early coaching to tenants in advance of signing a lease, to minimize costly requirements, and set businesses up for success by reducing the time it takes to obtain a permit.

The services provided to qualifying permit applicants include:
  • Research and early permit coaching
  • Facilitator will research property for most current permit information
  • Develop a permit strategy for most streamlined permitting options
  • Seek to minimize costly requirements that could add to construction costs or complexity of permit type
  • Review permit application material for completeness prior to submittal
  • Expedited permitting services
  • Prioritized appointment for your permit application
  • Reduced timeline for completing plan review (Be aware that other departments and reviews outside of SDCI might still be required and have different timelines)
  • Single point of contact for permit applicant

Please reach out to Peter Fuerbringer for more information on obtaining a permit for a vacant storefront downtown.
Partner Efforts

  • *NEW* The Chief Seattle Club, a nonprofit founded in 1970 to combat homelessness among Seattle’s Indigenous people, has completed its first permanent housing development. With 80 units done, ʔálʔal housing development in Pioneer Square is now ready to welcome nearly 100 residents, many of whom Indigenous, poor and formerly homeless. ?ál?al, which means “home” in Lushootseed, is just the first permanent supported and affordable housing project and more is planned for the future. Read more here.


The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project is now seeking public review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Explore the online open house to learn more about the project, read the Draft EIS document and take a tour of potential station alternatives across the entire project corridor, for both the West Seattle and the Ballard Link Extensions.

Comments must be received by April 28th. Your feedback will be shared with the Sound Transit Board of Directors before they confirm or modify the preferred alternative. The Board will select the project to be built after the Final EIS is published, which is expected in 2023.

In addition to learning about and commenting on the Draft EIS through the online open house, there will be multiple opportunities to connect with project staff, ask questions, and share your input. Click here for online public meetings, in-person drop-in events and more opportunities to get involved.
Other Neighborhood Updates

  • *NEW* It is important for the Alliance to know your vision for Pioneer Square, so we want to hear from you. In 2020, owing to drastic changes in our neighborhood landscape as a result of the pandemic and to guide our work over the next 18 months, we created the COVID-19 Pandemic Response PlanThe Alliance for Pioneer Square’s COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan tells the story of what we have done, what we are doing, and what we planned to do in the period immediately following the immediate COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.

Two years into the pandemic, we again want to engage community members on our recovery efforts to date and, to learn and gather feedback as we move forward into recovery. You’re invited to attend an online and in person open house to share feedback on the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan, provide inspiration for additional neighborhood improvements, and connect with neighbors.

The Alliance will host an in person open house on March 10, 2022 from 9-10:30a and 3-4:30p at Cherry Street Coffee House to hear from community members. No registration is required for the in-person open house- just drop in.

Pease note, this event shall be in accordance with any indoor masking mandates or public health requirements (as determined by federal, state or local government agencies) applicable on the date of the event.

This process is supported in part by Historic South Downtown. Click here to learn more.

  • *NEW* The Alliance for Pioneer Square is working diligently to support the Pioneer Square community through the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize this time have been extremely difficult for the district and continue to advocate for solutions to ensure Pioneer Square is safe and welcoming for all. Our February 9th Public Safety and Civility Update includes a statement on last week's shooting incident, the Alliance's latest effort to address Public Safety with City leaders, summary on the Small Business Panel with Councilmember Sara Nelson, a reminder to take the Pioneer Square Crime and Safety Survey, an update from the JustCARE team, de-escalation training opportunities provided by the MID and SPD and, how to report public safety incidents/who to report incidents to.
Additional Resources

  • The Pioneer Square Business Owners & Managers Facebook group is an opportunity for business owners and retailers to participate in an online forum and share resources, support, and stories. We invite you to join group and connect with other neighborhood businesses. Click here to join the Pioneer Square Business Owners and Managers Facebook page.

  • The Alliance is coordinating with the Butler Garage on 114 James Street, to provide free parking on Saturdays throughout the year. Park for free every Saturday with a dated proof of purchase from a Pioneer Square business. Free parking is available from 11am to 8pm each Saturday in 2022.

  • Driving to Pioneer Square? Check out mobile-friendly DowntownSeattleParking.com for parking locations throughout the neighborhood. 

Please let us know how we might best support you. Feel free to contact any of us with comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns.
Sincerely,

The Alliance Team

ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE