Pioneer Square is the oldest neighborhood in Seattle, dating back to pre-Alaska Gold Rush days. After years of being best known for dive bars and sketchy characters, the neighborhood is on the rise. Unfortunately, Pioneer Square and its businesses are in danger of closing due to clumsy construction.
We had tickets to a symphony concert Saturday night, and Julian needed a fresh supply of coffee beans. As we walked down First Avenue to Caffe d’Arte, we noticed something unfamiliar: QUIET. Normally on a Saturday afternoon/early evening in spring the streets would be full of people. The coffee shop was relatively quiet. The most people we saw in one place was a line of men waiting on line to get into the Bread of Life Mission for dinner and a cot for the night. Clearly the holes in the street had depressed car and foot traffic considerably.
We had dinner at an Italian restaurant, Che Sara Sara. The server told us that their business was down 70% because of construction of a proposed streetcar line. That project is on hold due to protests by the local businesses. Most of the current work is to replace underground utilities. Still, this work may not be done for another year or so. Will businesses like Caffe d’Arte and Che Sara Sara last that long?
Okay, friends, this is where you come in. Next time you’re in downtown Seattle, spend some time and money in Pioneer Square. If you’re a tourist, take the Underground Tour. Buy a Utilikilt. Visit Magic Mouse Toys. Have lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants. Summer tourists may find their way to Pioneer Square by diffusion, but locals need a bit more persuasion. There are several nearby parking garages to make up for those lost to construction. Keep the neighborhood viable and vibrant.
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