Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan
2022
1 | Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan PREPARED BYFUNDED BY What’sGoalsVisionOurHistoricalIntroductionContentsContextWorkStatementandObjectivesNext
Pioneer Square photos by Kari Quaas Photography (except historical context photos)
The Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan is a long-term (1o-year+) vision, rooted in collaborative partnerships to synthesize long-term public and private planning projects, articulate budget priorities, and coordinate public engagement processes under a shared vision of success that promotes consensus and motivates action. The visions, goals, and objectives of this framework plan draw attention to the unique public spaces, government services, residents, small businesses, and development potential and highlight this area as a gateway to the City of Seattle. Recognizing that a long-term vision for this area requires thoughtful design, socioeconomic change, and dedicated, progressive stakeholder engagement, the Alliance for Pioneer Square – funded by Historic South Downtown and in partnership with the City of Seattle – undertook a robust process to craft this framework plan. This work was the result of a yearlong community-driven process, and builds on previous plans, especially the 2016 Parks & Gateways Concept Plan, led by the Alliance for Pioneer Square, and the City of Seattle’s 2019 Public Life Action Plan. As the work transitions to implementation, this framework plan represents a snapshot in time, and reflects the community’s commitment to recover and transform. To find out more and get engaged visit www.allianceforpioneersquare.org.
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Historical Context
Northeast Pioneer Square roughly encompasses the blocks between Yesler Way, 2nd Ave Extension S, 4th Ave S, and S Jackson St. The area has a rich and complex history dating back at least 10,000 years when ancestors of today’s Duwamish and Suquamish people settled here. Throughout much of the year, Indigenous men, women, and children traveled the region’s waterways to fish, hunt, gather bounty, trade, and visit. During winter, they erected longhouses in villages. Djijila’letc, translated as “Little Crossing-Over Place,” was one such village, located amidst a lagoon, tidal flats, and towering trees in what is today Pioneer Square. When White settlers – including Arthur Denny, “Doc” Maynard, Henry Yesler, and others – came to homestead, the tribes sought alliances to ensure goodwill and prosperity, but the peace would not last. The establishment of Yesler’s Mill brought economic fortunes and population growth for White settlers but relations with the Indigenous community became strained. City Hall Park, the epicenter of Northeast Pioneer Square, was the site of the Battle of Seattle in 1856, a one-day skirmish between White settlers and Native Americans. By 1865, Seattle’s first city council banned Native Americans from entering the city. Since then, this area has continued to see tremendous change – from the Great Seattle Fire to the Klondike Gold Rush, from political uprisings to urban renewal, from earthquakes to heat waves to pandemics, from national economic Depression to tech-spurred economic boom to yawning economic inequality. Today, the story of Northeast Pioneer Square continues to be told through a dynamic mix of art, history, culture, languages, residents, businesses, and visitors who make and remake it.
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Current Neighborhood Now home to a variety of businesses, government services, art galleries, artist studios, social services, and residents, Northeast Pioneer Square is uniquely positioned as the gateway between the broader Pioneer Square neighborhood, the Chinatown-International District, and Downtown Seattle. As a tourist destination, the area also draws many visitors each year, making solutions to the shared challenges more complicated and underscoring the need for collaboration. Poverty is concentrated in Pioneer Square compared to the rest of Seattle. More than 50% of households earn 30% or less than the Area Median Family Income (AMFI), which is the middle family income for four-person households in a given area. Housing units in the area are predominantly studio and one-bedroom, with 94% of these occupied by renters . The area also includes major bus and light rail transit access, as well as auto and bike lanes that connect the city and region. The concentration of buses and traffic essentially cuts off streets from other parts of Pioneer Square and downtown. Public spaces are mostly dark and underutilized, and coupled with a lack of police presence and enforcement. Slopes are a defining part of the area, which poses accessibility challenges for people experiencing disabilities to reach transit and services. The retail landscape is further challenged with theft and Attemptsvandalism.toaddress issues in this area are sincere and ongoing, yet they remain disjointed and under-resourced.
Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan
Native American camp with canoes, Ballast Island, Washington Street, Seattle, circa 1890 (MOHAI, David Thomas Denny II Family Papers, 2011.26.7.43).
Tents in Pioneer Square after Great Fire, circa 1889 (Courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives, 77293). Pioneer Square, looking up Yesler from Western Avenue, circa 1912 (Courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives, 29983).
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The community engagement process for developing this framework plan was integral in building trust and developing a shared community vision. Steering Committee members represent decades of experience in Northeast Pioneer Square, and many have served as committee members on previous plans and projects.
Seth Geiser, Downtown Seattle Association Adam Hasson, Property Owner, SAMIS Kathleen Johnson, Historic South Downtown Meaghan Kauffman, Unico/Smith Tower
Chris Arkills, King County Metro Government Relations
Councilmember McDermott Councilmember Andrew Lewis, City of Seattle Councilmember Dave McKee, Business Owner, Seattle Lighting Karl Mueller, Business Owner, Intrigue Chocolate Lisa Nitze, Property Owner, Nitze-Stagen
Carrie Avila-Mooney, Sound Transit Government and Community Relations
Our Work
This framework plan synthesizes the needs of residents, businesses, and service providers by consolidating years of policy direction and planning with new community-driven initiatives. These plans have shaped what the area is today and what is envisioned for the future. This work also considers the near-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that continue to affect the daily lives of those within this area, along with mid- and long-term objectives that will help the district evolve over time.
Grant Lahmann, Chief of Staff for King County
Derrick Belgarde, Chief Seattle Club
Tija Petrovich, Pioneer Square Resident’s Council
Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan
Stephanie Pure, King County Metro Government Relations
While the pandemic restricted many in-person gatherings, various engagement strategies were employed throughout this process. Engagement approaches included a twenty-person steering committee; individual stakeholder interviews; several subjectarea focus groups that covered ground-floor retail, transportation, parks and opens spaces, businesses and residents, and the arts community; a City of Seattle-led Interdepartmental Team; and regular convening of a project team. Stakeholder engagement served as an opportunity to connect agency staff, residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, service providers, and other key partners in creating a clear, shared vision for the future of Northeast Pioneer Square.
Kamilah Brown, Legislative Assistant for Councilmember Lewis Steven Bullock, DESC Brian Carter, 4Culture Jill Davies, Low Income Housing Institute Eido, Resident, Frye Apartments
Lisa Howard, Co-chair, Alliance for Pioneer Square
Lyle Bicknell, Co-chair, City of Seattle Office of Planning & Community Development
Tom Koney, King County Executive Services
Steering ParticipantsCommittee
Doug Vann, Commercial and Residential Manager, Tashiro Kaplan Artist Lofts
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Laura Komada, Resident, Tashiro Kaplan Artist Lofts; Employee, Pioneer Square Business
Virgil Wade, Chief Seattle Club Eugenia Woo, Historic Seattle
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Our vision for Northeast Pioneer Square begins by recognizing and honoring the Indigenous peoples connected to this land past, present, and future. As a vital transportation hub, the seat of local government, and a welcoming place to live, work, and play, our neighborhood is a gateway to the city of Seattle and beyond. Art and architecture showcase the neighborhood’s rich history, creating an urban oasis with reverence for this area’s many histories and cultures. The collective presence of our diverse community is reflected in our vibrant public spaces, thriving local businesses, and organizations serving people in need.
consolidate
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Goals Objectives
7 | Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan 1. Act Together Quickly Identify “quick wins” that can be implemented at low cost within 12-18 months. 1 Create more avenues for dialogue 2 Conduct a coordinated, public/private “full court press” to re-establish maintenance and safety 3 Improve lighting to invite more people, especially during the darker winter months 4 Activate public spaces 5 Improve the visibility in and safety 2. Elevate Diverse Histories and Cultures Acknowledge Pioneer Square’s Indigenous history and diverse cultural significance by incorporating stories, art, and interpretive elements in public realm improvements and through storytelling. 1 Rename public spaces to acknowledge the area’s diverse history 2 Promote and expand knowledge of the history of the area 3 Improve public spaces using historic materials 3. Make Every Block Safe and Accessible Address community concerns about safety and neighborhood access for residents, employees and visitors. 1 Increase foot traffic and activities along public streets 2 Improve lighting in public spaces 3 Improved relationships between neighborhood businesses, services, and sports venue 4. Provide a Full Range of Housing Types Diversify housing options by providing workforce and market-rate housing options in and near the Northeast Pioneer Square area. 1 Increase the number of housing options in the area 2 Advocate for revised regulatory requirements to support housing options
Our vision provides a roadmap for future public-private collaboration and partnerships aimed to planning and public engagement that address the unique needs of Square. The Steering Committee set a broad path to implement this vision. The following goals and objectives were agreed upon by the Steering Committee, as well as more than 100 actions that be further refined and prioritized by the Steering Committee in future years.
will
Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan | 8 5. Diversify Employment Opportunities Increase the number of business and employment opportunities in key ground floor and upper stories of buildings. 1 Support existing small businesses 2 Attract new businesses to the area 6. Reduce Inequities While Supporting Those Most in Need Collaborate with human service providers to broaden poverty and mental health services in and around Northeast Pioneer Square. 1 Increase access to local and regional services 7. Create Gateways Improve the visibility and identity of Northeast Pioneer Square by entries into the district. 1 Activate and highlight district edges 2 Rebrand and manage the area’s public spaces 3 Highlight transportation as a defining feature of the area 8. Make Art Visible Highlight local artists and creativity. 1 Provide opportunities for temporary and pop-up art 2 Identify locations for permanent art installations 9. Establish and Maintain Beautiful Civic Spaces Improve access and amenities that makes streets and parks desirable for pedestrians. 1 Acknowledge and celebrate that Northeast Pioneer Square is the front door to democracy and government’s process 2 Improve the business and visitor environment through active management and technical assistance 3 Invest in a high-quality, well-maintained, seamless public realm 4 Increase activation and programming 5 Improve tree and vegetation management 6 Align public realm investments with Federal accessibility requirements 7 Improve retail frontages 10. Prioritize People Walking, on Bikes, and On Transit Focus on making every street safe, attractive and connected for pedestrians, cyclists and those accessing transit. 1 Increase communication about multimodal planning 2 Create safer streets through traffic calming 3 Support pedestrian connections through the area
• Aligning expectations of this framework plan with the future multimodal design of 3rd Ave. that prioritizes all modes of travel, pedestrian safety, transit access, and improving City Hall Park.
The next phase of this framework plan relies on the sustained involvement of actively engaged stakeholders who are committed to seeing that goals and actions are implemented over time. Under the Alliance for Pioneer Square’s stewardship, this framework plan will continue to represent the myriad voices of Northeast Pioneer Square, and advocate for the resources needed to drive lasting neighborhood recovery and transformation.
• Ensuring community voices are included in the King County Campus Master Planning process.
Northeast Pioneer Square Planning + Construction Previous plans: • Pioneer Square Parks and Gateways Concept Plan (2016) • Pioneer Square Street Concept Plans (2016) • Yesler Area Public Life Action Plan (2019) • DSA Third Avenue Vision (2019) Current city-wide • Sea le Comprehensive • Sea le Transportation • Jackson Hub Plan • Pioneer GuidelinesSquareUpdate 2020 Q12021 Q2 Q3 Q4 Third Avenue Pioneer Square Transit Entrance Headhouse Transfer + Improvements King County + Sound Transit King County City Hall Park/Prefontaine RedesignNESPRPioneer Square Framework Plan Alliance for Pioneer Square/OPCD Dilling Way Bike Lanes SDOT Chief Sea le Club ʔálʔal Development Chief Sea le Club123 Third Ave S. DevelopmentKingCountyThe Imagine Greater Downtown Implementation Projects -SpaceSector/PublicCrossDevelopmentPrivateTransportation
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What’s next?
• Identifying a future vision for City Hall Park that maintains and improves this important community resource.
This framework plan represents a snapshot in time and reflects the community’s commitment to recover and transform. Existing and future residents, businesses, property owners, service providers, and City and County governments all have a role in moving this framework plan forward. Over the last decade, these entities have engaged in planning processes which converge in this area, and major projects are already beginning to alter the urban fabric. Many stakeholders involved in this framework plan are also involved in the implementation of these projects – most notably, future planning for the King County Campus Master Plan, redesigning 3rd Avenue S., and developing a new vision for City Hall Park. Using this framework plan, these projects can continue to share common community goals and objectives. Several goals and objectives outlined above can be implemented today, and those with the most immediate and lasting impacts include:
Northeast Pioneer Square Framework Plan | 10 Construction Projects Draft - updated 7/20/22 city-wide or nearby planning processes: Comprehensive Plan (2022 - 2024) Transportation Plan (2022 - 2023) Plan (2019UpdatePreservation2022)Board 2022 2023 2024 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Avenue Transit Corridor Improvements Project King CountyImprovementsCountyCivic Campus Master Plan King County Plan Third Ave Channelization Project SDOT Pioneer Square-East West Streets Sea le O ce of the Waterfront 3rd+SafetyYesler BOSA Civic Square Development BOSA + Low Income Housing Modifications County + Chief Sea le Club The Metropole Building Redevelopment Sa erberg Foundation to 2025 SDOT LEGEND: Design/ Implementation/ On Hold Planning Construction Relevant research + studies: • Pioneer Square Housing Study (2021) • UW Studio on KC Courthouse Environs (2020)Fortson SquareSDOTRenovation
Mural on 4th Ave S under Yesler Bridge titled “Duwamish” by Stephan Smith
We respectfully acknowledge this is traditional, unceded land of the Coast Salish People, who were the original stewards of this land, and continue to care for it today.
We recognize, honor, and respect the Indigenous peoples connected to this land past, present, and future.
