22 Feb Pioneer Square in the News

NEWS

Seattle’s downtown retail core needs ‘new spark’ (Seattle Times)
Interesting article on the state of downtown’s retail and prospects for the future. “With the total number of places to shop in the retail core down 10 percent last year, what it now needs are property owners willing to make upgrades that attract new stores, and streets so enjoyable that people don’t mind paying to park, Joncas said in an interview this week.”

Transit security gets boost after beating in tunnel (Seattle Times)
After the shocking video tape of the beating of a 15-year-old girl, which made me feel much less safe in the tunnels, Seattle police officers are adding patrols at the five different tunnel entrances, including the Pioneer Square tunnel. You’ll see them around until a political move is made to make people not be so outraged and/or feel so unsafe.

What’s Obama got against historic preservation? (Crosscut/Mossback)
The Great Recession and federal and state budget cuts are creating hurdles for heritage advocates who see historic preservation and urban revitalization as a way out of the economic doldrums. Obama’s budget is a major setback because it slashes cherished programs.

Cantwell Plan for Small Banks and Businesses (NPR)
Senator Cantwell wants to take “rescue funds that have been repaid by big banks and dedicat[e] them to community banks that focus on local employers.”

Smoking Banned in City Parks (PubliCola)
“Against the recommendation of the city’s parks board, city Parks superintendent Tim Gallagher issued a new rule that bans smoking, chewing tobacco, and any other tobacco use in all city parks.” (sigh) Just another thing that won’t be enforced and criminalizes behavior.

BLOGS

DELI unveils B:Scott, a pop up store (Facebook)
On Saturday, 2/20, Deli unveiled the opening of a 3 month installation inside of their “growing store.” DELI is hosting the entire official collection of former B:Son designer Brandon Scott’s anticipated label B:Scott.

Sneak peek aboard West Seattle’s new Water Taxi, the Rachel Marie (West Seattle Blog)
New water taxi service starting April 5, which will run from West Seattle to Downtown Seattle (it will arrive at Pier 50 — Pioneer Square’s waterfront).

SIFE Club seeks SU mission through education in entrepreneurship (Spectator Blog)
Students from Seattle U’s SIFE club came to the Union Gospel Mission last Friday to teach them interview tactics, give advice for finding jobs, and to hand out donated professional clothing. This is precisely what we need people to come to Pioneer Square to do — teach skills for the homeless in our city to find jobs and help themselves (as opposed to the ones who come to our neighborhood to hand out food and typically leave a mess in their wake).

Art show inspired by ‘accidents’ (My Ballard)
“Essential Gestures,” is a new exhibition on view now at CoCa Ballard Gallery (6413 Seaview Ave NW) until March 7. For more information, visit CocaSeattle.org. Vrijmoet also welcomes visitors at her studio in Pioneer Square at 306 S Washington St., located in the TK Building.

Seattle City Council – 2010 City Priorities (Seattle Community Council Federation)
Seattle City Council is meeting today at 2pm in Council Chambers (2nd floor City Hall) and has invited the public to join their announcement of what the council feels Seattle’s set of priorities should be for moving forward. Public comments will be taken on all items. John Barber of the Parks Board encourages questions that they should address, such as “What are the measures of livable, sustainable communities?”

BIG Chess being played in Occidental Park (twitpic)
Thanks @icelandia!

EVENTS

You can always see upcoming events on the calendar here.

As a reminder, the last meeting to add input on what the city should look for in a new police chief is this Friday. (here’s the post talking about it)