Seattle's First Neighborhood: Mayor's One-Year Update on Pioneer Square Plan
Last June, Mayor Mike McGinn released a plan to bring vitality and viability back to Seattle's historic, hard-knock neighborhood, Pioneer Square. Today, he's updated the plan, laying out his priorities for the coming year.
In the updated report, the Mayor highlights the increase in reliable Internet connections, thanks to the wider broadband availability, as well as a reduction in crime in the area.
Included in McGinn's future plans are the usual civic ups and downs. Extended pay parking, according to the report, will not reach Pioneer Square until next year. However, the "commercial core boundary" which defines the price of parking will be shifted from Columbia to Yesler, reducing parking rates at "about 20 pay stations." There are also plans to spend an additional $100,000 to replace lights, coordinate efforts between businesses and merchants, and provide more social functions and gatherings in the area.
The Mayor also pointed to the South Downtown rezone legislation, which was put into effect in April, which he hopes will increase density, and make Pioneer Square a more livable neighborhood.
What do you think? Is this plan enough? Does Pioneer Square need a plan, or does it just need a real grocery store and cheaper parking?
You can read the entire report here.
