Our Goals
- Serve the needs of the area's residents, businesses, commuters and visitors
- Raise the profile of the commercial district(e.g. banners, kiosks, etc.)
- Increase merchant participation in the Main Street organization, including established bussinesses and the expanding Vietnamese business community
- Provide merchants with technical assistance and with financial and design assistance for storefront renovations
- Recruit appropriate businesses to fill vacant storefronts
- Redevelop the Ashmont MBTA Station and the Banton Street lot(which has been vacant for 20 years)
Our Accomplishments
- Developed strong relationships with corporate sponsors Countrywide Home Loans, Mt. Washington Bank and Trinity Financial.
- Conducted a comprehensive study of the neighborhood economy.
- Leveraged over $400,000 worth of storefront improvements with a $50,000 investment
- Participated in renovation of the historic Peabody Square Clock
- Sponsored a visit by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to tell local merchants about services the SBA can offer. Included a visit, with translator, to all Vietnamese-owned businesses in district
- Published The SMAMS Connection e-newsletter
- Participated in renovation of Ashmont MBTA station, focusing on station design and developement of new commercial space
- Participation in redevelopment of "The Banton Street Lot," a large vacant lot in the heart of the district
- Held promotional events to publicize the district and it's businesses: Dorchester Day cookouts; "Look at Those People!" and "Art on the Avenue" sculpture exhibits; "Boston Unwrapped" holiday party and stroll accompanied by distribution of business directories and coupons for local merchants.
Organizational Structure
Corporate BuddyCountrywide Home LoansCorporate Buddy LiaisonLisa O'NeillExecutive DirectorDan LarnerBoard of DirectorsBill Richard, PresidentThomas Carroll, Vice President Jim Buckley, Clerk Lisa O'Neill, Treasurer Kevin Bronski (Metalsmiths, Inc.) Jack Cunningham Steve Datish Christopher Douglass (Ashmont Grill) David Gleich Jeffrey Gonyeau Karen Henry-Garrett (Dot-2-Dot Cafe) Ida Kallman (Nik-Nik Hair Care) Rose McMullin Jack Pelletier David Quach (Super 99 Cent Plus Store) Christopher Stanley Stephen Wilkins Fundraising CommitteeLisa O'Neill, Chair The Fundraising Committee works to bridge the gap between City and corporate funding and our total expenses. We sponsor several fundraising events throughout the year as well as writing grant applications.Organization CommitteeJack Cunningham, Chair The Organization Committee promotes our Main Street program by outreach to other neighborhood groups, recruiting new members to the program, and publicizing the program in the media. To sharpen our focus on each of these goals, we are forming a membership subcommittee and a publicity subcommittee.Promotion CommitteeThomas Carroll, Chair The Promotion Committee promotes our local businesses and the district as a good place to shop and do business. We do this by publishing a business directory, publicizing the neighborhood, and producing community events such as the Dorchester Avenue Scavenger Hunt. |
Design CommitteeKevin Bronski, Co-ChairJeffrey Gonyeau, Co-Chair The Design Committee works to create a cleaner, more attractive and pedestrian-friendly business district with a cohesive physical appearance. This includes storefront renovations, signage replacement, new decorative streetlights, an anti-litter campaign, a public art project, and a design study to plan infrastructure improvements. District Planning CommitteeRosanne Foley, Co-ChairChristopher Stanley, Co-Chair The District Planning Committee works to promote positive development in the district. This includes leading community input on major development projects such as the Ashmont Station renovations and the Trinity Financial Transit-Oriented Development project at the station; working with the Design Committee and the City on a design study for infrastructure improvements; working with the Boston Redevelopment Authority on the Dorchester Avenue Project; and originating and co-sponsoring a youth charrette as part of the Avenue Project. Economic Restructuring CommitteeJulie Simmons, Chair The Economic Restructuring Committee promotes and steers economic development in the SMAMS business district consistent with stated community goals. We accomplish this by: Recruiting businesses that show market potential; Facilitating meetings between prospective businesses and building owners; Referring owners and tenants to sources of financial and technical assistance; and Building relationships with property and business owners. |
Advisory CouncilJames BrettThe New England Council Thomas Callahan Mass. Affordable Housing Alliance Rev. Egobudike E. Ezedi, Jr. Morning Star Baptist Church Hon. Maureen Feeney Boston City Council Rev. John Finley Epiphany School Rev. Dan Finn Saint Mark Church Donna Latson Gittens Causemedia William Heathman Englewood Apartments Gail Hobin University of Massachusetts Boston Claire Hughes UMass Medical School James W. Hunt, III Boston Environmental and Energy Services Office John O'Toole Olde Towne Real Estate Bob Scannell Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester Earl Taylor Dorchester Historical Society Hon. Charles C. Yancey Boston City Councillor |
