More than $20,000 has been raised to restore the 117-year-old structure.
SEATTLE — Thanks to an aggressive social media fundraising campaign, the Alliance for Pioneer Square and Seattle Parks Foundation have come up with the money needed to repair the 117-year-old pergola in Pioneer Square that was damaged during the Super Bowl celebrations.
“It was incredible to see all the 12’s come together and congregate around Pioneer Square, which really is the center of Seattle sports. It was amazing to see the fans come together and spend time with each other to celebrate such a monumental win. But as we know from celebrations like this, there can be a lot of damage and we definitely saw that in the neighborhood,” said Angela Nguyen, the marketing and communications manager for the Alliance for Pioneer Square.
Some windows were broken, others were cracked, and many of the historic posts and pillars were tagged with graffiti.
Less than a week after launching the fundraiser, the groups received more than $20,000 from more than 600 separate donations.
“Incredible to see, not only the 12’s come together to support the Seahawks and the city of Seattle, but to rally and support a historic neighborhood and historic landmark that definitely needs some tender love and care,” said Nguyen.
A few blocks away from the pergola, longtime bartender Tiarra Horn, who works at the equally historic Central Saloon, remembers the first Super Bowl celebration in the neighborhood.
“I remember partying and going onto the street and even at the time I remember being like, “Don’t climb on that! Have a good time but don’t climb on that,'” she said.
Horn saw the fundraiser on Instagram and donated right away.
“I’ve lived and worked in this neighborhood for over 10 years,” she said. “I love it and want to keep in clean and beautiful, so if I can donate $12 or $20 to get it fixed… it’s gorgeous. Basically I love the neighborhood.”
Nguyen said any additional money raised, beyond what’s needed for repairs, will go toward other Seattle park projects and improvements.
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