Pike Place Market PDA 50th Anniversary Celebration

Behind the hustle and bustle of the Market is a group of people that keep the Market running every day. We’re called the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA), and we own and operate the Market. In 1971, Seattle citizens voted to create a Pike Place Market Historic District and the Market Historical Commission to preserve the Market’s physical and unique social character. As a result of the public vote, in 1973 the City of Seattle created by charter the Pike Place Market PDA, a not-for-profit organization, to own and manage the day-to-day operations of the Market.

The role of the PDA is to safeguard the Market for future generations through:

What started as a team of four set out to oversee the restoration of the Market under the Urban Renewal Plan has evolved into a remarkable group of 118 employees whose role in the Market has stretched far and wide. From preserving historic buildings to supporting small businesses and providing affordable housing to fostering a community through Marketwide events and community activations, we bring our passion to this Market every day. Our commitment to Pike Place Market was greatly seen in 2020 when the Market faced one of it’s most challenging threats to date, the COVID–19 global pandemic. During this time, the entire PDA pivoted to keeping the Market open and our businesses successful.

Learn More About the PDA

For five decades, we have been dedicated to preserving the historic Pike Place Market and supporting the vibrant community of farmers, artisans, and small business owners who call the Market home. Since its founding in 1973, the Pike Place Market PDA has worked tirelessly to ensure that the market remains a thriving hub of activity and commerce in the heart of downtown Seattle. We’ve led efforts to renovate and restore the Market’s historic buildings and infrastructure while also promoting sustainable practices and supporting the local economy.

Our efforts ensure the Market remains a beloved destination for visitors from around the world, as well as a vital resource for the local community. From the iconic fishmongers to the dozens of small businesses selling everything from flowers to artisanal cheeses and everything in between, at the forefront of everything the PDA does is the question of how do you preserve this social economic network of businesses and community. A community that had started even before the PDA. This dynamic has been inherit since the creation of the PDA; it’s why the PDA was created and continues today and is seen through the legacy of businesses that are still here 50 years later.

This 50 year milestone is a testament to the tremendous work the PDA has done for the Market community and will continue to do for another 50 years.