Archives West Finding Aid

Minutes and agendas documenting regular and special meetings of the various boards overseeing the Pioneer Square Preservation District. The minutes report on issues discussed, tasks assigned, and actions taken, and include lists of board members and Office of Urban Conservation staff present. Board business primarily concerned consideration of applications for approval of architectural modifications and signage in the District. Other subjects include the Downtown Alternative Plan, sidewalks, zoning, social problems, and liquor licenses.

Correspondence, memos, reports, clippings, and other materials relating to issues affecting the District. Many of the records deal with METRO transit projects, including the waterfront streetcar and the bus tunnel. Another significant portion of materials relate to the work of CAFE EDGAR (Committee to Assess the Feasibility of Establishing Economic Development Guidelines and Regulations), a group that surveyed other historic districts in the United States and developed recommendations for Pioneer Square development guidelines. Also of particular interest may be records relating to the Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit, which brought together government officials from the city, county, and state, along with property owners, residents, and human services organizations, to discuss issues facing the neighborhood. Many files relate to specific buildings, such as Union Station, Smith Tower, Mutual Life Building, and Pioneer Building. Renovations of Occidental Park and the Colman Ferry Dock are also covered. Other topics in the collection include social services and homelessness, areaways (light wells), and appointments to the various boards overseeing the District.