07 Mar Pioneer Square in the News

IMAGE OF THE WEEK:

From Pioneer Square Artist Sam Day:

NEWS

Tower project in Qwest Field lot may break ground this year (Seattle Times)
An ambitious plan to redevelop part of Qwest Field’s north parking lot, considered key to Seattle’s Pioneer Square, should finally break ground this year, the developer says.

Pioneer Square board hears about development plan for Qwest Field lot (Crosscut)
The Pioneer Square Preservation Board will meet Wednesday morning (March 2) in City Hall to hear details of what might be the most remarkable construction project in the neighborhood’s history: a high-rise in Pioneer Square.

WSDOT announces proposal to preserve historic Seattle building in Pioneer Square (WSDOT)
Historic preservation groups were notified today about a proposal to preserve the 619 Western Building in Pioneer Square during construction of the proposed SR 99 bored tunnel.

Plan would save Pioneer Sq. artists’ building from tunnel demolition (Seattle PI)
The state would save Pioneer Square’s 619 Western building, rather than demolish it to make way for the new waterfront tunnel, under a plan released Wednesday.

A plan to save 619 Western (Komo News)
Under the proposal however, it will be out of commission for about a year while crews build the new SR 99 tunnel directly underneath the building.

Pioneer Square: Some great signs, but still at risk (Crosscut)
My picks for this year’s list of the “most endangered” historic properties in Washington.

Seattle by train: Pioneer Square, SoDo and the International District (Bellingham Herald)
Pioneer Square has two lives. During the day, it is home to shoppers looking for high-end art. At night, Pioneer Square becomes a major club center for the city, with dancing, dining and drinking and other nightlife.

10 years later, what has science learned about quakes? (King5 News)
In some places, the damage was bad. Seattle’s Pioneer Square and downtown Olympia were two of the most damaged urban areas.

Zynga names Neil Roseman VP for Seattle (Seattle Times)
San Francisco-based Zynga — maker of hits such as FarmVille and Mafia Wars — is looking at offices in the Pioneer Square area for its Seattle outpost. The company’s recent funding reportedly values it at about $10 billion.

NFL lockout: big blow to small firms (Christian Science Monitor)
t’s a battle between billionaires and millionaires – but the National Football League (NFL) labor negotiations have more riding on them than just who gets a bigger piece of the pie. Located just steps from Qwest Field in Seattle, the Seahawks Den – which sells Seahawks jerseys, T-shirts, hats and other team paraphernalia – is poised for significant losses if there are no NFL games next year.

Family celebrates Kris Kime’s life 10 years after his death (King5 News)
Her son, Kris Kime, died 10 years ago Monday night. He was beaten while trying to help a stranger during the Mardi Gras riots in Pioneer Square early that morning, and was pronounced dead at 7:23 p.m. on February 28, 2001.

BLOGS

Ten Years Ago, Kristopher Kime’s Death Began Journey Of Life For Five Others (B-town Blog)
It was ten years ago today (Feb. 28) when Highline Community College student Kristopher Kime died after being hit by a 17-year-old runaway during a Mardi Gras melee in Pioneer Square, but Kime’s mother, Kim Parks is still recovering from the horrid event.

What Do Strip Poker and Ravioli Have in Common? (Voracious)
Meanwhile in Pioneer Square is a place that quietly continues to bring classic Italian cuisine and service to diners, as they have since 1984: Il Terrazzo Carmine.

Whidbey Island’s Rachel the Pig ready to return to the Pike Place Market (Seattle PI- Whidbey Island)
To welcome Rachel back in style, the popular pig is going on tour, making appearances at some of her favorite Seattle spots. She’ll be traveling in style on the back of the Market’s vintage 1936 farm truck. Her schedule includes:
Thursday, March 17: Occidental Park (Pioneer Square), 10am-3pm