BuzzBee, a strategic marketing and consulting leader in Seattle, is pleased to announce an employee donation of $1,000 and team participation in the Pioneer Square Spring Clean on April 16, 2011. The company is eager to join efforts with The Alliance of Pioneer Square and the City of Seattle to beautify the historic neighborhood, and welcomes the chance to work side-by-side with other local companies to revitalize the area.
“Our team is fortunate to work in the historic Mottman Building in Pioneer Square,” said Michele Keeffe, CEO. “The history and vibe of our community is an integral part of our culture at BuzzBee. We realize the value of our financial support, but also want to be a part of the revitalization efforts of the square as it has a direct impact on our ability to recruit and retain innovative talent.”
For this event, employees from BuzzBee will join as many as 200 other anticipated volunteers in projects such as litter pick-up, painting over graffiti, mulching tree wells, planting flowers, clean-up for Fortson Square, and weeding.
The event will take place on April 16, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Occidental Park, located at Occidental Ave S and S Main St., in Pioneer Square. The Alliance is optimistic that the clean-up effort will make the area more inviting and that it will show other businesses, like BuzzBee, that Pioneer Square is a great area to set up shop and be successful.
“BuzzBee’s young, innovative, free-thinking culture fits perfectly with the culture of the neighborhood,” said Leslie Smith, Director of the Alliance of Pioneer Square. “Companies like BuzzBee rejuvenate the area and have a positive economic impact in a down economy. We strive to attract more companies like BuzzBee.”
For more information about this event, please contact 206.667.0687.
Click here to see pics from the event last year.
Storefronts Seattle is launching nine new site-specific projects in storefront spaces in downtown Seattle this week.
The project debuted in late 2010 as an experiment in activating vacant spaces with art, creative enterprise, and performance. Since that time, this incredibly successful program has presented over 25 artists and groups in short-term residencies in Chinatown / International District and Pioneer Square.
Storefronts is dedicated to providing exposure and support to Seattle area artists, and to revitalizing our urban core. They use the arts and creative enterprise to help protect neighborhoods from high vacancy rates, reduced street traffic, and a disengaged streetscape. They activate the neighborhood and help to bring vibrancy to the urban environment.
They are hosting an Opening Reception this Thursday, April 7, for the Spring 2011 round of installations, starting at the xom fine woodworking gallery.
For more information, and to download a map of all of the locations, click here.
Zulily is hosting their first-ever sample sale this Friday, March 25 from 8am – 1pm at 155 Main St. They are moving into the space where the Pratt had their holiday sale (next to the former BofA) for one day only.
They have a huge selection of items from their warehouse and photo studios – goodies for women and kids, strollers, toys and lots more.
Prices start at $2, cash only, and proceeds from the sale are being donated to earthquake disaster relief efforts.
It is free to attend the sale, but they are asking people to RSVP just so that they have an idea of how many to expect.
RSVP here: http://zulilysamplesale.eventbrite.com/
Join fellow business owners / employees at a mixer later today:
What: Socializing + Happy Hour
Where: FX McRory’s Steak Chop + Oyster House
When: Monday, March 21, 4pm – 6pm
RSVP: lisa@pioneersquare.org
Background on the cafe:
Built in 1890, The Merchant’s Café has been in continuous operation ever since, making it Seattle’s oldest restaurant. In the 1920s and ’30s, the upstairs functioned as a hotel, the Merchant’s Hotel.
Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of all day / late night construction going on at Merchant’s Café, and the rumor mill is buzzing that a previous manager from Last Supper Club has purchased the cafe and is changing it to be more neighborhood and family friendly — including better food, outdoor seating (nice outdoor seating — no smoking out front), and better hours.
Stay tuned for more details — (or if you have some — please share! I’m having trouble tracking down the new owner).
Sustainable Seattle thinks so. In association with Take Back Your Time and the Compassionate Action Network, it is releasing the first comprehensive survey of happiness in this region, as part of the Seattle Area Happiness Initiative (SAHI). The survey is now online at: www.sustainableseattle.org for anyone to take.
“You get what you measure,” says Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien. “For too long we’ve measured the wrong things—Gross Domestic Product doesn’t tell us whether we have a good quality of life or a sustainable society. This survey, which includes nine domains of well-being, not just income, is a good way to start measuring the important things we care about, so we can actually achieve them.”
Anyone who takes the survey will receive an immediate evaluation of personal well-being for each of the nine domains of happiness identified by international researchers:
- psychological well-being
- physical health
- time balance
- education
- cultural vitality and access
- social connection
- good government
- environmental quality and access to nature
- and material well-being.
- [Editor's sarcastic add-in: parking rates and availability, perhaps?]
The survey takes a holistic approach to well-being and asks poignant questions that allow reflection and insight. “It takes a while to complete (20-30 minutes) because it’s comprehensive,” says John de Graaf, Executive Director of Take Back Your Time (www.timeday.org). “But you’ll find it’s worth the time because it really makes you think about your life and how to improve it. ”
More information on the entire project, which will provide a model for other cities around the country and the world, can be found at www.sustainableseattle.org/sahi.
Email: happy@sustainableseattle.org
Twitter: twitter.com/sustainseattle
Newsletter at www.sustainableseattle.org
According to the DJC, Seattle’s recession ended a week ago.
The reason being that Isilon just rented 180,000 sq ft in Pioneer Square.
“A lot of the action has been in Pioneer Square, and this has Kevin Daniels, president of Daniels Development, eager to start what is billed as the largest transit-oriented development in the Northwest: the 1.5 million-square-foot North Lot.”
TechFlash also featured the Isilon move, stating that “Pioneer Square has developed into a hotbed for technology companies over the years, with a number of startups locating in some of the quirky brick office spaces in the historic district. Other companies in the area include Sharebuilder and Nuance Communications.”
“The vibe down in Pioneer Square is really building and growing. It is a really vibrant place,” said Blessington, noting that many of the city’s transportation hubs are coming together in the neighborhood. “For us, it was just a perfect fit.”
The Alliance for Pioneer Square (TAPS) and OED recently came together to request a study of Pioneer Square business owners + professionals to find out more about the local economy of the upper-floor businesses and the retail needs of its workforce.
The survey was operating on a base number of assumptions made about the neighborhood:
1. IT is the fastest growing sector in Pioneer Square
2. Most P2 professionals eat out / shop during the day, but not in the evening
3. They would shop at retail (not currently there) if it were located in the neighborhood
The survey analyzed data from 68 business owners and 222 retail owners/managers. Here are the major findings from the study:
1. Businesses like Pioneer Square because of the central location + historic charm
2. IT is the fastest growing sector (28% of the workforce)
3. 60% of the businesses experienced some increase or no change
4. 40% experienced a decline
5. Vacancy rates are 9% for office, 15% for retail space
6. PSq businesses would like marketing and networking assistance
7. Survey results show the following for shopping frequency:
– Most respondents eat lunch in Pioneer Square 2-4 times per week.
– Most respondents eat dinner and shop in Pioneer Square less than 1 time per week.
Based on these findings, here are the retail recommendations:
1. Increase social networking events that activate public spaces and promote the creativity of the neighborhood
2. Partner with local marketing firms to design marketing and branding strategies and attract new retail business (and more customers)
3. Talk with existing businesses about expansion of products or services to meet retail needs
And the office sector recommendations:
1. Start events like roundtable discussions to increased shared learning opps for business owners
2. Start business leadership committees that could address issues like building rehab and connectivity problems
3. Transition to a membership organization so that business reps have more ownership in Alliance activities
Although the report suggests that more inclusive research be done, the Alliance has already started implementing some of the recommendations, including setting up business mixers for the owners in the neighborhood to come together and network. Another event has already been scheduled for March 21st (see calendar for more details)
So what are the next steps? Let’s go back to the original assumptions
IT is the fastest growing sector in Pioneer Square. It would only seem logical that we should capitalize on this and offer the types of retail that would most likely be utilized, and make sure that the neighborhood supports those businesses (by offering top of the line internet connections… something we don’t have yet). It seems like it would also be good to have gaming conventions organized in the neighborhood or other events that would bring people down in the evenings.
Most P2 professionals eat out / shop during the day, but not in the evening. So what can the local retail shops do to encourage these professionals to stick around? Because I know as residents, we want these stores to stay open longer, but they won’t if no one is shopping there.
They would shop at retail (not currently there) if it were located in the neighborhood. Although the number one suggestion was grocery, I don’t think that’s going to happen (with something like 13,000 residents, not even Belltown can get a grocery store). But could we have a once a month farmers booth? Or once a week?
Here are the new businesses people would like to see:
1. Grocery Store
2. A movie theatre (how about opening one in the metropole building? Bring back history!)
3. Live Theatre
4. Restaurant with outdoor seating
5. Clothing
6. Bookstore (.. not funny…)
To see the full report and inclusive graphs, click here.
And if you’re interested in joining the Promotions Committee to plan events for residents and businesses alike, come to the meeting next week, January 11th from 4:30pm – 5:30pm. For more info, you can email Lisa at lisa@pioneersquare.org.
Beginning Thursday January 13th, 2011
Yoga Foundations: Every Thursday evening from 5:45pm-7:15pm
Cost: $12 drop- in or $120 for a 10 class punch card with your 11th class FREE!!
89 Yesler Way, 3rd floor
Pioneer Square, Seattle, 98104
(next door to Café Palomas & the Cigar Shop)
Yoga Foundations is appropriate for Hatha Yoga practitioners of all levels. During our 90 minutes together, we will focus on building physical strength and increasing flexibility while expanding our breath. Discover your body’s potential for a healthy and intelligent range of movement as we explore the alignment with in the asanas.
Beginning Thursday January 6th, 2011
TAPAS Yoga: Every Thursday evening from 7:30pm-9pm
Cost: $12 drop-in or $120 for a 10 class punch card with your 11th class FREE!!
What keeps you interested and engaged in your yoga practice? In TAPAS yoga we will refine the physical practice (asanas) while deepening awareness of our subtle body through practicing various pranayamas (breathing techniques) and meditations. I’m not talkin’ about your favorite TAPAS dish here, as yummy as they are! I’m referring to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and his Ashtanga (Eight) Limb System. TAPAS is your glowing motivation. Come and expand yours.
Bring your own yoga mat and water. We look forward to practicing with you!
For more information, please visit: http://www.ajusticenetwork.org
Thanks to Storefronts Seattle, Architecture 101 will now have classes in a storefront space located in the International District.
That will mean more room to expand and an opportunity to collaborate with two architects, Kim Krech and Jon Zegers. Their Behind the Eye Studio who will be focusing on classes and programs for high school students. The expanded high school program will start on October 8th with a weekend workshop.
This will also provide me with an opportunity to offer classes for adults and architectural tours. In the right hand column on this page are the class offerings for students of all ages.
You will note that I have added “Chef’s Choice” to the class listings. That class will provide an opportunity for me to explore a new subject that has been suggested and is not part of the class roster. I get requests and suggestions from my students and I like to follow up on those suggestions. If there is an idea for a class that you would like to explore, please let me know and it could just be the Chef’s Choice for the week!
To see additional sketches of the last summer class, see The Sketcher in the Seattle Times.
Fore more info, go check out their blog: Architecture 101