This week’s Seattle Weekly cover story explores some of the issues in

This week’s Seattle Weekly cover story explores some of the issues in the battle to preserve Pioneer Square’s historical past. Here’s some of the people we met along the way in one of Seattle’s most colorful, and conflicted, neighborhoods.

Published on May 12, 2010

Nightlife at Aura.

Nightlife at Aura.

Occidental Park.

Occidental Park.

A internationally-loved gypsy band plays at Cafe Paloma after being grounded in Seattle by the Icelandic volcano.

A internationally-loved gypsy band plays at Cafe Paloma after being grounded in Seattle by the Icelandic volcano.

Le canard, non!

Le canard, non!

The crowd at Aura.

The crowd at Aura.

Cafe Paloma packed for music on a Friday night.

Cafe Paloma packed for music on a Friday night.

But yes, even Pioneer Square has its Starbucks.

But yes, even Pioneer Square has its Starbucks.

Modern Seattle peeks from behind its Pioneer roots.

Modern Seattle peeks from behind its Pioneer roots.

Musician Jonathan Warman hanging out in a neighbor's Yesler Street loft.

Musician Jonathan Warman hanging out in a neighbor’s Yesler Street loft.

Partiers pose under the landmark glass and cast wrought iron pergola - originally built in 1909. In 2001, an 18-wheeler hit and demolished the pergola, which was then rebuilt.

Partiers pose under the landmark glass and cast wrought iron pergola – originally built in 1909. In 2001, an 18-wheeler hit and demolished the pergola, which was then rebuilt.

Aura partier.

Aura partier.

Inside the Yesler Street workspace of artist Jim Leong.

Inside the Yesler Street workspace of artist Jim Leong.

Historic building skirting Occidental Park.

Historic building skirting Occidental Park.

Party-goers at Aura.

Party-goers at Aura.

Guy Godefroy, entertainment director and DJ, Trinity.

Guy Godefroy, entertainment director and DJ, Trinity.

A DJ spins at Aura.

A DJ spins at Aura.

The bar at Trinity.

The bar at Trinity.

Trinty's street facade.

Trinty’s street facade.

A dancer at Aura.

A dancer at Aura.

Leslie Gaultier, manager, and Matthew Chu, owner, Aura nightclub.

Leslie Gaultier, manager, and Matthew Chu, owner, Aura nightclub.