- You're actually in business
to help other businesses. And she was like, yes.
And that was the start
of a very fruitful relationship,
- Spending with purpose.
See how one woman's online
list helps people
intentionally support diverse small businesses.
- All of the original Douglas
fir beams were treated
so that they could
last the 20 year footprint
that our positive carbon credits
provide us.
- Transforming an old,
historic warehouse into a showcase
for green building construction.
What does it mean for this place
to have a carbon negative footprint?
[♫ “Amazing Grace” played on a bagpipe]
- Plus, the haunting
healing sounds of the
Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band.
See how one tragic event
inspired firefighters to form this group,
bringing their community and the rest of the city
together during difficult times.
These stories
and more coming up next on CityStream.
- Go Hawks!
Yeah!
[♪♪]
- Hi, I'm Nicole sanchez.
Welcome to CityStream from the Populus
hotel in Seattle's Pioneer Square.
For a very long time, this was a Northwest
Native American fishing
and trading spot
known as Dzidzilalich Village.
Everything changed in 1852
when the first white settlers arrived
and claimed the land.
Over the next 40 years,
this part of Seattle boomed,
burned to the ground, and was born again.
During the rebuild, builders switched
from wood to stone and steel.
A lesson learned after the Great Seattle Fire.
That sturdy construction is what's kept
these buildings standing for more than 150 years.
Today, Pioneer Square faces a new challenge
how to accommodate growth in a tight footprint
while also navigating environmental pressures
and preserving its unique history.
We'll show you how a little later.
We all like to put our
money behind what we believe in
speaking with our wallets, right?
One Seattle woman has created
an online list that does just that.
not only does it encourage consumers
to refocus their daily spending habits,
but it also helps small businesses
grow into vital parts of their communities.
Producer Eric Riddell shows us
the guide that intentionally
changes lives.
[♫]
- As long as I can remember, giving back
volunteering,
making a difference is something
that always felt like a must for me.
When I first started thinking
more about
how much of my spending was in support
of local businesses, I went
looking for a resource that would help me
and I didn't find one.
[♫]
I founded Intentionalist
because I believed that everyday decisions
about where we eat, drink and shop
are opportunities to intentionally connect
with and spend money in support of the brick
and mortar small businesses
at the heart of our communities.
[♫]
When you first come to Intentionalist.com
you are prompted to explore.
The site is set up so that you can search
for what is it, a coffee shop?
Is it a nail salon?
And then you also have the opportunity to select
whether you're looking for a woman owned
or veteran owned or LGBTQ owned or native
owned or disability owned or BIPOC owned
small business.
[♫]
- Welcome to Queen
Care, I'm so glad
you got an opportunity to come today.
My name is Monica C Matthews.
I am the founder and CEO of Queencare Products.
Queen Care is very special to me.
It actually was created to support
the nonprofit work that I've been doing
in the Seattle community for the last 25 years.
Life Enrichment Group is that nonprofit.
We focus on positive academic
and mentorship, support for youth of color,
and our programs are in several Seattle
public schools
in the community at large,
and I needed
a way to have that work continue nonstop.
And so I created this
for - profit company for that main reason,
and to teach young people about entrepreneurship,
how to make and sell the products.
Marketing is something that sometimes
small business owners don't prioritize
that line item in our budgets.
Right.
Because there's so many other things
that need to happen. Right?
I guess this call from Laura like, hey,
you don't know me, but I run this business
Intentionalist
And it was created to support small businesses
like yourself
and I had to ask her a few times like, wait,
am I hearing you correctly?
You're actually in business
to help other businesses. And she was like, yes.
And that was the start of
a very fruitful relationship.
[♫]
- My name is Chera Amlag, and we're at Hood
Famous Cafe and Bar in Seattle's
Chinatown International District.
I think
as a small business owner,
you get a lot of different
entities or people that will come in
and say, hey, or pitch something to you.
And, Laura, it was very different.
The thing that
I love about Laura, and also I think why
so many other businesses gravitate towards
the Intentionaist is she walks her talk,
and when she talks about really being intentional
with how we spend and the ways that those
small decisions
that we make with our spending every day
cumulatively adds up.
And the impact
that can have in our economy is huge.
- The reality is that if every adult
between the age of 25 and 85
shifted $50
in spending to local businesses, collectively
our spending would be $300 million.
And that's the difference
between whether the local businesses we love
survives
or not.
[♫]
- We all need to be more intentional
about where we eat, drink and shop
if we want to continue to live in communities
where small businesses survive
and hopefully one day thrive.
I love what I do so deeply.
It's hard to put it into words, and it's because
it's such an incredible opportunity
to try to contribute to reinforcing
the social fabric of our communities,
to facilitate belonging
that we all deserve to experience
wherever it is that we live.
- Intentionalist
now has over 3500
local small businesses on their website,
and they're adding more all the time.
If you'd like to explore it
for yourself, visit Intentionalist.com.
Have you heard of a negative
carbon footprint?
We'll show you what this unique building
is doing to take being green
to a whole new level.
- We are the everyday
storytellers of this great city.
We are Seattle channel,
a gateway to everything.
Seattle.
The intersection between government,
culture, news, and the ever unfolding
story of the city we call home.
So follow your curiosity and come explore
Seattle with us.
Seattle Channel.
- Welcome back to CityStream
from the Populus Hotel in Pioneer Square.
Most people care about the environmental
impact they have on the world.
That's why the Populus Hotel
worked hard with the City of Seattle,
the Pioneer
Square Preservation District,
as well as nearby residents
to decrease their carbon footprint
while still preserving
the look and feel of this historic district.
- So are you doing opening remarks.
- Tija Petrovich knows Pioneer Square.
- Fabulous. It's a little microcosm.
- She has lived here
for more than 30 years and says
she's not going anywhere else.
This is home to her.
- I've lived in several of Seattle's neighborhoods.
All neighborhoods
are so interesting and so unique.
This one it stopped,
stopped me, and it stopped my heart.
- Tija was a longtime
local business owner and has served
on the Pioneer Square Preservation Board.
She says she appreciates
the height limits
on buildings because it helps
to preserve the historic charm
and neighborhood feel.
- That makes a whole bunch of us very close.
We're not escaping to high rise in the sky.
We're all very close,
which means we're always on the street together.
We're always out together.
We know each other.
We see each other very, very neighborhood.
Like,
I know who I'm walking by and around
and all of the small businesses.
I could go on and on.
Hans, what are you doing today?
- Tija, along with many of her neighbors,
are excited
to see the thoughtful work
going into several
projects in Pioneer Square
focused both on historical
preservation and sustainability
in a big way.
Populus Seattle
opened in May of 2025,
in the historic Westland Building.
The hotel is a project
by Urban Villages
and is part of their Railspur development,
which includes three historic buildings.
- Originally, the front
door of these buildings were in the alleyways
because that's where the railroad
would come through.
And so,
when we were looking at this site,
we studied it, and we really wanted
to turn the buildings and on one another
and kind of bring that, that feel back.
- Populous Seattle is carbon negative.
With construction,
they focused on adaptive reuse
by repurposing the historic building.
And estimate
they kept about 80% of the original structure.
They also used
low carbon construction materials like concrete
and recycled materials
that are built to last for many years.
They also participate in Seattle
City Lights Green Up program
and Puget Sound Energy's
Renewable Natural Gas program.
- And even where there's places where maybe
the existing building was
in, parts of it were inconvenient.
They embraced that.
And that made this a very special
and maybe quirky,
but interesting and inviting place to be.
Most of the the pieces were able
to be reused in a very meaningful way.
That gives this place even more character.
It's not lost. It's still here.
- There's so much innovation
assigned to this idea of preservation as like
a motivator to make sure that it exists forever.
Adapting, whether it's the rooftops
to be these community spaces.
Bringing back the idea of hand-painted
signs in the neighborhood.
It's like this thing that, is upholding
tradition rather than like,
you know, ending it.
So it's
making sure that that's a part of
the equation is always the key.
Populus Seattle even operates on 100%
renewable power,
and they will plant a tree for every stay.
But it's not just about trees.
They're even honoring
the original wood that was used.
It's something you can even smell
- When they increased the size
and make structural,
things, whether that's from acoustical caulking
to increasing beams throughout the space.
All of the original Douglas
fir beams were treated
so that they could last the 20 year footprint,
and that are positive carbon
credits provide us.
And that just creates this really unique smell
that can be dated all the way
back to the early 1900s.
The wood in textiles carries such a deep
memory,
and they hold on to history
the same way that people do.
- Populus Seattle has three restaurants on site.
They compost their food, waste
and source local food whenever possible.
- Gentlemen,
- The rooftop bar called Firn is also very unique
in Pioneer Square,
- A new way to experience Pioneer
Square is up on the rooftops,
and before it was, it was difficult to get up.
Most of it was privatized.
That allows you
to see the city from a unique vantage point.
- Something else that makes this hotel
unique is all of the art.
More than 300 works are not only on display,
but are also for sale,
providing local artists
with exposure and also funding.
There's even art outside in the alley
that has also been thoughtfully updated.
- The activation of the Pioneer Square
alleys has been a vision
for a long time that's been slowly
being implemented.
This is just going to
completely blow it wide open.
This is going to be
the culmination of that, I think.
And once people see it, I think there
will be other people to have ideas to do it.
Elsewhere in Pioneer Square.
- And while Populus Seattle is an incredible
example of sustainability,
it's the thought and care in
preserving the historical elements
that residents say is equally important.
So Pioneer Square still feels like
Seattle's oldest neighborhood.
- Populous is a great example
of the adaptive reuse, where you know,
someone came in and saw potential in a building,
sites, old bones, and knew
how to take it forward in a way that's
both environmentally friendly,
brings economic vitality to the neighborhood,
and really serves as a gathering place
for the neighborhood.
- We're walking with our own DNA and the past
towards the future.
That's the part it gives me chills.
That's the part
that really excites me about living here.
So modernizing it, great.
But let's keep a hand
handle on that reign a bit,
because you really don't want to lose your base,
your core, because it always feels like home.
You know, others have walked here before you.
It's a privilege
and it inspires people to do the same.
- In addition to Populus Seattle,
the Railspur complex also includes
two other historic buildings
that were completely transformed
and just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Several new restaurants are now open, Lowlander Brewing
Un Po Tipsy
Mio Oh Mio which is Italian for My Oh My!
For more info about Populus
and the other rail spur developments,
just go to Railspur Seattle.com.
[♫]
- They are known for setting the tone
with their healing music, even at
some of the most solemn events.
We’ll introduce you to the Seattle Firefighters
Pipes and Drums Band
[♫]
- Welcome back to CityStream.
We're a couple blocks away from the hotel
in the heart of Pioneer Square's Occidental Park.
Behind me is the Fallen Firefighters Memorial,
built to honor the men and women
who have died in the line of duty.
The tragic event that inspired the
creation of this memorial
also inspired the creation
of the Seattle Firefighters
Pipes and Drums Band,
and as producer
Ian Devier shows us,
while the group often plays at somber events.
Their music can also comfort
and unite a community
with the unmistakable sound of bagpipes.
[♫ “Amazing Grace” played on a bagpipe]
- I worked for Phoenix Fire Department down in Arizona,
and I have a friend who was a the only bagpiper
in the Phoenix Fire Department.
He was playing all the funerals and events,
and he's like, man, if I
if I can help you learn the bagpipes
could you help me do some of these gigs?
And I worked there for about three years learning how
to play the bagpipes way down there.
And then I came up to Seattle,
returning home, to be a firefighter here.
In 1995,
Seattle Fire Department
lost four members in the Pang warehouse fire.
And, the Vancouver Police Pipes and Drums came down
from Vancouver, Canada, and played the funerals
for those guys.
And that meant a lot to everyone
in the Seattle Fire Department.
[♫ “Amazing Grace”]
We will be Forever indebted to Vancouver police for doing that for us.
I felt I had a skill that I could
bring the Seattle Fire Department,
and that we could have enough people that could learn
this instrument
where we could honor our own fallen in the future.
By the right, left, march!
- 2004 is going to be officially kicked it off.
[♫ bagpipes and drums]
But ‘03 is when it really started.
[♫ bagpipes and drums]
- When the opportunity came.
I jumped on it.
Not being musically gifted.
I was. I gravitated towards the drums.
[♫ bagpipes and drums]
You know, one note.
Repeat as necessary.
I had actually played the drums as a as a kid
and was very interested in the drum part of it.
Also, the technical drumming.
The drummers,
they have three different instruments that we work off of.
The side drum,
It was like the snare drum and it's very loud.
It's like a .22 going off when you're hitting them.
[♫ drums]
And the Scottish drumming is very technical.
Which is what makes it interesting to people.
- I was a tenor drummer to start with.
The tenor drummer is the one that spins the,
spins the sticks, more visual than audible.
- Tenor drummers are like a tom tom,
and they've got a softer mallet.
[♫ drums]
And then the bass drum, of course, is the big bass drum.
That's the one where you got to be nice and strong
to haul that one around.
- After our bass drummer, the original bass
drummer, hurt his back and couldn't do it anymore.
I moved over to the, to the bass.
I've been doing that ever since.
[♫] - Seven, six...
I've been playing for
35, 36 years now.
I'm not a firefighter.
I thought I was just going to teach them bagpipes.
And you know, I've got I've gotten drawn into this world.
That’s what brings out some of the expression, there right.
[♫ bagpipes]
I almost never play at those events
because I'm more useful in the background
helping other people
make sure their instruments are up to snuff.
I call it Scottish soul music.
It gets you right in your heart.
There's something about the frequencies.
So we've got the chanter where we play our melody
and the three pipes that
stick up over the shoulder are called drones.
And they just hum in the background constantly.
And so there's,
there's literally this, om.
[♫ bagpipes]
And then the frequencies
of the chanter interact with that.
And, you know, some of them bland and some of them clash.
And that's kind of the unique
sound of the bagpipe that sets up sort of,
an emotional response that we can't explain.
[♫ bagpipes and drums]
They often lift morale.
You know, I don't think you've met
anyone who has seen them play or watched them march,
and they don't smile and feel a sense of pride.
[♫ bagpipes and drums]
We've had some really interesting gigs,
like we got to play. Opened for the Dropkick Murphys.
[♫ bagpipes and drums] [audience cheering]
[♫ electric guitars]
We opened for, Rod Stewart.
[♫ bagpipes and drums]
We've played at Mariners games.
We did torchlight parade.
Saint Patrick's day parade.
We do all the awards banquets for Seattle
Fire Department, recruit graduations, things like that.
[♫ bagpipes and drums]
The reason we started the bands
for funerals, memorials for police and firefighters.
[♫ bagpipes and drums]
So back then, we were one of the only fire
department pipe bands in the northwest.
So we were traveling all over Washington state
and even going out of state to play funerals
for police and firefighters.
Now there's lots of bands around.
- It’s important to note
that all of these individuals are firefighters first,
and they chose to learn to play the bagpipes
or the drums
to to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
- It's an honor to be able to, to help the firefighters
learn this skill
so that they can honor fallen brothers and sisters.
And you know, that's like a calling way
beyond anything that I thought I was ever going
to be involved in.
- The parades and the and the graduations.
That's, that's that's fun.
And it's, keeps us in practice.
But, primarily we're,
you know, for funerals and memorials.
[bells ringing] [♫ bagpipes and drums]
- It was the mournful toll of the Bell
that solemnly announce the comrades passing.
- It does seem to mean a lot to the families.
And that's why we do it
for the surviving members, surviving friends.
[♫ bell ringing] [♫ bagpipes and drums]
- I think we're done through the Tacoma Dome,
and we're playing Amazing Grace.
And I made the mistake of making eye contact
with one of the one of the family members.
And both of us.
I'm ready to tear up right now just talking about it.
It is.
It is heartbreaking
to see those young families and, you know,
and listen to the stories and hear, you know,
the sacrifices that the people are making every day
for society.
And, you know, the fact that we can,
you know, just make that day a little bit better
and honor that sacrifice, makes everything worthwhile.
[♫ bagpipes and drums]
- It’s not all solemn
ceremonies for the Pipes and Drums Band.
They're regulars in Seafair parades.
And they even opened for Rod
Stewart a few years ago to learn more
about the Seattle Firefighters
Pipes and Drum band.
Visit their website.
It's Seattle's bravest charity.com.
We'll be right back
- Go Hawks!
Yeah!
- Sea...
hawks!
Sea...
hawks!
[fans cheering]
- Go Hawks!
Yeah!
- Oh, man, it's going to be awesome.
I'm hoping that everybody gets to just see the crew.
You know,
they get to see all their super fans.
[♪♪ - Seahawks Blue Thunder playing]
[fans cheering]
- And we get to see our super team.
And we're so happy that they won this year.
[♪♪ - Seahawks Blue Thunder playing]
- We won.
I made it a priority.
- Yeah. Couldn't miss it.
- Couldn't miss it.
[♪♪ - Seahawks Blue Thunder playing]
- So much fun!
[♪♪ - Seahawks Blue Thunder playing]
- It means everything, man.
We've been waiting for so long.
I mean, it's been like a decade or or so.
It's unbelievable. Yeah. I mean, it's surreal.
We still can't believe it.
- No one yard line jokes, no more, you know.
- They deserve this.
- Perfect story.
Perfect story, man.
- It was time. It was time.
- It was time. Yeah.
- And we would like to see good things from them in the years to come.
[fans cheering]
- That's all for this episode of CityStream.
In just a couple of months,
this Pioneer Square neighborhood
will be packed with soccer fans
and some really special community events.
If you'd like a peek at what's coming.
Go to the FIFA Seattle website.
It's Seattle FWC 26.org.
And if you'd like to
watch more of our award winning programing,
just go to Seattle channel.org
and search feature shows. I'm Nicole Sanchez,
thanks so much for watching.