Guide to the Pioneer Square Preservation District Records
1970-1997

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Overview of the Collection

Creator: Seattle (Wash.). Office of Urban Conservation
Title: Pioneer Square Preservation District Records
Dates: 1970-1997 ( inclusive )
Quantity: 9.8 cubic feet (25 boxes)
Collection Number: 5754-E
Summary: Minutes, correspondence, reports, memos, and other materials related to the Pioneer Square Preservation District and its oversight boards.
Repository: City of Seattle
Seattle Municipal Archives

PO Box 94728
600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 3
Seattle, WA 98124-4728
Phone: 206/233-7807
Email: archives@seattle.gov
http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives

Languages: Collection materials are in English 

Historical Note

The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Department of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office’s mandate was to coordinate Seattle’s historic preservation programs and administer the city’s landmark boards and historic districts. When DCD was abolished in 1992, the office became the Historic Preservation Program in the Department of Neighborhoods.

From 1852 onward, Pioneer Square was the center of Seattle’s commercial activity. The Great Fire of 1889 destroyed 25 blocks of downtown, but the city immediately began rebuilding, using fire-resistant stone and brick. The neighborhood flourished during the Alaska gold rush, but as the central business core began to move northward, Pioneer Square became host to rough taverns and seedy hotels. A city plan to raze the district in the 1960s generated a grass roots preservation movement led by architects Ralph Anderson and Victor Steinbrueck. In 1970 they succeeded in having the neighborhood designated as a national historic district as well as Seattle’s first preservation district.

The Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board was instituted in 1971, and the Pioneer Square Special Review District Board in 1974. The two boards began holding joint meetings in October 1979, and continued this practice until September 1981 when they were consolidated as the Pioneer Square Preservation Board. The Office of Urban Conservation, and later the Historic Preservation Program, provided staffing to the boards. The Architectural Review Committee was a Board subcommittee.

Content Description

Minutes, correspondence, reports, memos, and other materials related to the Pioneer Square Preservation District. Series are described more fully below.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access :  

Records are open to the public.

Preferred Citation :  

[Item and date], [Title of collection], Record Series 5754-E[X]. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative Information

Arrangement :

The Pioneer Square Preservation District Records are arranged into two series:

5754-E1: Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes, 1971-1997

5754-E2: Pioneer Square Preservation District Subject Files, 1970-1996

Separated Materials :  

Publications were pulled from the collection and are cataloged separately in the Published Documents Index.


Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

5754-E1:  Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes, 1971-1997
2.6 cubic feet  ( 7 boxes)

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.

The materials are arranged into the following series:
  • Series 1: Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board (PSHPB), 1971-1979
  • Series 2: Pioneer Square Special Review District Board (PSSRDB), 1974-1979
  • Series 3: Joint Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board / Pioneer Square Special Review District Board, 1979-1981
  • Series 4: Pioneer Square Preservation Board (PSPB), 1981-1995
  • Series 5: Architectural Review Committee (ARC), 1995-1997
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
1/1 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes 1971
1/2 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes 1972
1/3 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes 1973
1/4 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes 1974
1/5 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes 1975
1/6 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1976
1/7 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1976
1/8 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1977
1/9 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1977
1/10 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1978
1/11 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1978
1/12 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1979
1/13 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Minutes (July-Sept.) 1979
1/14 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Agendas 1974-1976
1/15 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Agendas 1977
1/16 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Agendas 1978
1/17 Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board Agendas (Jan.-Sept.) 1979
2/1 Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes 1974
2/1 Joint Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board / Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1980
2/2 Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes 1975
2/3 Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes 1976
2/4 Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes 1977
2/5 Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes 1978
2/6 Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes (Jan.-July) 1979
2/7 Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Agendas 1976-1977
2/8 Joint Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board / Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes (Oct.-Dec.) 1979
2/9 Joint Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board / Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1980
2/11 Joint Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board / Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1981
2/12 Joint Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board / Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Minutes (July-Sept.) 1981
2/13 Joint Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board / Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Agendas 1979
2/14 Joint Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board / Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Agendas 1980
2/15 Joint Pioneer Square Historic Preservation Board / Pioneer Square Special Review District Board Agendas 1981
3/1 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Sept.-Dec.) 1981
3/2 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (May-Dec.) 1982
3/3 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-Apr.) 1982
3/4 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-July) 1983
3/5 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Aug.-Dec.) 1983
3/6 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-May) 1984
3/7 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (June-Dec.) 1984
3/8 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1985
3/9 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1985
3/10 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1986
3/11 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1986
3/12 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes 1987
3/13 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes 1988
3/14 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1989
4/1 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1989
4/2 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1990
4/3 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1990
4/4 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1991
4/5 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1991
4/6 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1992
4/7 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1992
4/8 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1993
4/9 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (July-Dec.) 1993
4/10 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1994
4/11 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (July-Sept.) 1994
5/1 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (Jan.-June) 1995
5/2 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Minutes (July-Sept.) 1995
5/3 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1982
5/4 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1983
5/5 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1984
5/6 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1985
5/7 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1986
5/8 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1987
5/9 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1988
5/10 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1989
5/11 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1990
5/12 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1991
6/1 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1992
6/2 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1993
6/3 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1994
6/4 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas 1995
6/5 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas (Jan.-Jun.) 1996
6/6 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas (Jul.-Dec.) 1996
6/7 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas (Jan.-Jun.) 1997
6/8 Pioneer Square Preservation Board Agendas (Jul.-Dec.) 1997
6/9 Pioneer Square Preservation Board - ARC Minutes (Jan.-June) 1995
6/10 Pioneer Square Preservation Board - ARC Minutes (July-Sept.) 1995
7/1 Pioneer Square Preservation Board - ARC Staff Reports 1996
7/2 Pioneer Square Preservation Board - ARC Minutes (Jan.-June) 1996
7/3 Pioneer Square Preservation Board - ARC Minutes (July-Jan.) 1996-1997

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5754-E2:  Pioneer Square Preservation District Subject Files, 1970-1996
7.2 cubic feet  ( 18 boxes)

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.

Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
12/1 Alley Lighting 1979-1981
1/1 Areaway L.I.D. 1980
1/2 Areaways 1976-1980
1/3 Areaways 1981-1982
1/4 Areaways 1983
1/5 Areaways 1984
1/6 Areaways 1987-1989
12/2 Areaways 1987-1988
1/7 Areaways 1993
1/8 Areaways - Plans 1983
1/9 Areaways - Plans 1987
12/3 Arts Commission Sculpture Proposal 1981-1982
1/10 Board Appointments - PSHPB 1974-1977
1/12 Board Appointments - PSSRDB 1974-1979
1/11 Board Appointments - PSHPB 1978-1979
1/13 Board Appointments - PSPB 1981
1/14 Board Appointments - PSPB 1982
1/15 Board Appointments - PSPB 1983
1/16 Board Appointments - PSPB 1984
1/17 Board Appointments - PSPB 1984
1/18 Board Appointments - PSPB 1985
1/19 Board Appointments - PSPB 1986
2/1 Board Appointments - PSPB 1987
2/2 Board Appointments - PSPB 1988
2/3 Board Appointments - PSPB 1988
2/4 Board Appointments - PSPB 1989
2/5 Board Appointments - PSPB 1989
2/6 Board Appointments - PSPB 1990
2/7 Board Appointments - PSPB 1990
2/8 Board Appointments - PSPB 1991
2/9 Board Appointments - PSPB 1992
12/4 Board Appointments - PSPB 1993
12/5 Board Appointments - PSPB 1994
12/6 Board Appointments - PSPB 1995
2/10 Boards - Procedures & Guidelines 1977-1981
2/11 Business Improvement Area 1981
2/12 Business Improvement Area 1982
2/13 Business Improvement Area 1983
2/14 Business Improvement Area 1983
3/1 Business Improvement Area 1983
3/8 Business Improvement Area - Advisory Committee 1983-1986
3/9 Business Improvement Area - Mailing Lists 1983
3/2 Business Improvement Area 1984
3/3 Business Improvement Area 1984
3/4 Business Improvement Area 1984
3/5 Business Improvement Area 1985
3/6 Business Improvement Area 1985
3/7 Business Improvement Area 1986
3/10 CAFE EDGAR 1980-1981
3/11 CAFE EDGAR 1980-1981
3/12 CAFE EDGAR 1980-1981
3/13 CAFE EDGAR - Data Collection 1981
4/1 CAFE EDGAR - Data Collection 1981
4/2 CAFE EDGAR - Data Collection 1981
4/3 CAFE EDGAR - Economic Data 1981
4/4 CAFE EDGAR - Interviews 1981
4/5 CAFE EDGAR - Minutes 1981
4/6 CAFE EDGAR - Minutes 1981
4/7 City Hall Park 1988
12/7 Colman Dock / Ferry Terminal Expansion 1980-1982
12/8 Colman Dock / Ferry Terminal Expansion 1985-1988
12/9 Colman Dock / Ferry Terminal Expansion 1987-1988
12/10 Colman Dock / Ferry Terminal Expansion 1988-1990
12/11 Colman Dock / Ferry Terminal Expansion 1988-1993
12/12 Colman Dock / Ferry Terminal Expansion 1989-1992
12/13 Colman Dock / Ferry Terminal Expansion 1991-1995
4/8 Consolidation of Districts 1978
4/9 Correspondence 1979-1980
4/10 Correspondence 1980
4/11 Correspondence 1981
4/12 Correspondence 1981
4/13 Correspondence 1982
4/14 Freeway Signs 1976
4/15 Freeway Signs 1985
4/16 Freeway Signs 1986
13/1 Handbill / Temporary Sign Ordinance 1983
13/2 Initiative 164 / Referendum 48 (Property Rights) 1995
13/3 Kingdome Master Plan 1988
4/17 Legislation 1970-1978
13/4 Lucky Hotel - Buttnick v. City 1977-1979
13/5 Lucky Hotel - Buttnick v. City (includes photos) 1980
13/6 Lucky Hotel - Buttnick v. City (includes plans) 1980-1981
13/7 Lucky Hotel - Buttnick v. City 1981-1984
13/8 Lucky Hotel - Pioneer Square Smoke-n-Gift Emporium 1984
5/1 Maintenance 1985
5/2 Maintenance 1985
5/3 Maintenance - Pioneer Square Maintenance and Capital Improvement Study Committee 1985
5/4 Maintenance - Pioneer Square Maintenance and Capital Improvement Study Committee 1985-1986
5/5 Maintenance - Pioneer Square Maintenance and Capital Improvement Study Committee 1985-1986
5/6 Maintenance - Pioneer Square Maintenance and Capital Improvement Study Committee 1985-1986
5/7 Maintenance - Trees 1985
13/9 Mayor's Walking Tour 1993
5/8 Mayor’s Walking Tour 1984
5/9 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1985
6/12 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project, Station Design 1985
6/13 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project, Station Design 1985
5/10 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1986
5/11 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1986
5/12 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1986
5/13 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1986
6/1 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1986
6/9 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project, Arts Program 1986
6/11 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project, Kaplan / Tashiro Building 1986
6/2 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1987
6/3 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1987
6/4 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1987
6/5 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1987
6/6 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1987
6/10 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project, Arts Program 1987
7/1 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project, Station Design 1987
6/7 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1988
6/8 METRO - Downtown Seattle Transit Project 1990
7/2 METRO - Eyebolts 1985-1986
7/3 METRO - Eyebolts 1986
7/4 METRO - Eyebolts 1986
7/5 METRO - Magic Carpet Shelter Program 1977-1982
7/6 METRO - Magic Carpet Shelter Program, Plans 1979
7/7 METRO - Waterfront Streetcar 1977
7/8 METRO - Waterfront Streetcar 1985
7/9 METRO - Waterfront Streetcar 1986
7/10 METRO - Waterfront Streetcar 1987
7/11 METRO - Waterfront Streetcar 1987
7/12 METRO - Waterfront Streetcar 1989-1990
7/13 METRO - Waterfront Streetcar 1991-1994
13/10 Mutual Life Building 1971-1981
13/11 Mutual Life Building (includes photos) 1982
13/12 Mutual Life Building (includes plans) 1983
14/1 Mutual Life Building 1983
14/2 Mutual Life Building (includes plans) 1984-1988
7/14 News Clippings 1988-1996
14/3 Nonconforming Sign Ordinance 1992-1994
14/4 Nonconforming Sign Ordinance 1995
7/15 North Kingdome 1987-1988
14/5 Occidental Park 1985-1987
14/6 Occidental Park 1992-1993
14/7 Occidental Park - Bollard Designs (includes photos and plans) 1973-1986
15/1 Occidental Park - Book Stall 1979-1980
15/2 Occidental Park - Pathways 1994-1995
15/3 Occidental Park - Plans 1986
15/4 Occidental Park - Plans 1992
15/5 Occidental Park - Sculpture 1978
15/6 Occidental Park - Time-Lapse Study 1985-1986
15/7 Occidental Park - Totem Poles 1986-1987
15/8 Occidental Park - Use Management Policies 1980-1981
15/9 Occidental Park - Vending Carts 1991-1992
15/10 Occidental Square Development 1976
8/1 Olympic Block ca. 1981
16/1 Open Meetings / Public Disclosure / Ethics Code 1980
8/2 Park Use Permits 1987-1991
8/3 Pier 48 1988
16/3 Pier 48 1993-1994
16/2 Pier 48 (includes plans) 1989-1993
16/4 Pioneer Building (includes plans) 1972-1980
16/5 Pioneer Building (includes photos) 1974-1980
16/6 Pioneer Building (includes plans) 1981-1988
16/7 Pioneer Place Park (includes plans) 1984
8/4 Pioneer Square Association 1975-1979
8/5 Pioneer Square Association 1980
8/6 Pioneer Square Association 1981
8/7 Pioneer Square Association 1982
8/8 Pioneer Square Association 1983
8/9 Pioneer Square Association 1984-1985
8/10 Pioneer Square Community Council 1992-1993
8/11 Pioneer Square Community Forum 1992
17/1 Pioneer Square Community Council 1993
8/12 Pioneer Square Community Meeting 1994-1995
17/2 Pioneer Square Community Council 1994-1995
8/13 Pioneer Square Improvement Fund 1976-1982
8/14 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit 1985
8/15 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit 1987-1988
8/16 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit 1989
8/17 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit 1989
9/1 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit 1989
9/2 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit 1990
9/3 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit 1990
9/4 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit 1990-1995
9/5 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit - Status Report 1990
9/6 Pioneer Square Intergovernmental Summit - Update 1990
17/3 Pioneer Square Preservation District Rules (includes maps) 1984
9/7 Pioneer Square Property Owners Association 1980-1986
9/8 Plaque Project 1989-1990
9/9 Plaque Project 1990
9/10 Plaque Project 1990
9/11 Plaque Project 1991
9/12 Plaque Project 1993
9/13 Plaque Project 1993
17/4 Recycling in Occidental and Pioneer Place Parks 1992
17/5 Regulatory Reform 1996
17/6 Rules / Procedures / Guidelines 1977-1981
17/7 Rules / Procedures / Guidelines 1992-1994
17/8 Schwabacher Building - City v. Yousoofian 1973
9/14 Second & Columbia Building 1987-1988
10/1 Seelig Hotel Proposal 1978-1984
10/2 Sidewalk Cafes 1972-1980
17/9 Sign Control 1972-1973
17/10 Sketches 1992
17/11 Smith Tower 1972-1984
17/12 Smith Tower - Balustrade (includes plans) 1976-1977
17/13 Smith Tower - Clippings 1972-1985
18/1 Smith Tower - ITC Certification (includes plans and photos) 1985
18/2 Smith Tower - Photos -
18/3 Smith Tower - Plans 1978
10/3 Social Problems 1977
10/4 Social Problems 1977
10/5 Social Problems 1984-1985
10/6 Social Problems 1986
10/7 Social Problems 1987-1990
10/8 Social Problems - News Clippings 1978-1987
10/9 Social Services 1985-1986
10/10 Social Services 1985-1986
10/11 Social Services 1987
10/12 Social Services 1988
10/13 Social Services 1988
10/14 Social Services 1993
10/15 Sonics Arena 1988
10/16 Special Review District Development Regulations 1975-1976
10/17 Special Review District Development Regulations 1976-1977
18/4 State Hotel / Rose Hotel 1973-1984
18/5 State Hotel / Rose Hotel 1983-1987
18/6 Street Vending Carts 1988-1990
10/18 Tax Incentives 1984
10/19 Underground 1973-1975
11/1 Underground - News Clippings 1972-1977
11/2 Union Station 1985
11/3 Union Station 1985
11/4 Union Station 1985
11/5 Union Station 1985
11/6 Union Station 1985
11/7 Union Station 1986
11/8 Union Station 1986
11/9 Union Station 1987-1988
11/10 Union Station 1989
11/11 Union Station 1992
18/7 Utilities (includes plans) 1989-1991
18/8 Utilities (includes plans) 1992-1994
11/12 Vending Cart Applications 1977-1984
11/13 Zoning Code 1984-1985

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Subjects

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

  • Corporate Names :
  • Pioneer Square Preservation Board
  • Seattle (Wash.). Office of Urban Conservation
  • Geographical Names :
  • Pioneer Square-Skid Road Historic District (Seattle, Wash.)
  • Seattle (Wash.)
  • Subject Terms :
  • Community development--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Historic buildings--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Historic preservation--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Homeless persons--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Transportation planning--Washington (State)--Seattle

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