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Greater Ashmont Little Lending Library

Our Vision

Greater Ashmont Main Street strives to further develop the district as a vibrant and resilient community in which all may find joy and a sense of belonging. We do so by offering:

  • A transit-oriented, Complete Streets locale that benefits a culturally diverse population,
  • A complementary business mix that supports the needs of area residents and civic organizations,
  • The appeal of rich historical qualities melded with modern day development, and
  • A vibrant social scene offering spaces favorable for community gatherings, which will attract patronage from beyond our region.

We look forward to working with all of you to keep our neighborhood strong and vibrant. If you would like to get involved in Greater Ashmont MS, please consider becoming a member and joining one of our committees or otherwise volunteering!

For more background information:

Community Visioning for SMAMS (2013)
Connection Dot Ave Planning Project (2004)

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Boston Main Streets

In 1995, Boston challenged the National Trust for Historic Preservation to expand its National Main Street model.  The result was Boston Main Streets, the first urban, multi-district Main Street program in the United States.  Boston Main Streets now brings the technical knowledge of business district revitalization to twenty Boston business districts, including six in Dorchester (Bowdoin Geneva, Fields Corner, Four Corners, Greater Ashmont, Grove Hall, and Uphams Corner).

Each district receives financial and technical assistance and intensive training in the Main Street approach from the City of Boston Main Streets office and the National Main Street Center.  In turn, each Main Street organization hires a full time Executive Director, raises matching funds, and implements its programs according to an annual work plan.

Boston Main Streets districts follow a four-point comprehensive approach that creates and sustains the district’s image: 1) community organization, 2) promotion, 3) design and 4) economic vitality.  Specific Main Street activities and operations include storefront improvement grants, public enhancements, local promotional and fund-raising events such as road races, parades, auctions, multi-cultural festivals, and holiday shopping events, all of which strategically aim to enhance the image of the business district and attract consumers.  Using the Main Street four-point approach, district staff and volunteers draw upon the skills and experience of the local stakeholders to revitalize the district.

The City of Boston commits a significant portion of its federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to the Boston Main Streets program.  In addition, the City of Boston commits full-time staff to assist the local districts in many aspects of their programs.  Local districts also have access to city architects, design staff, transportation planners, and technical assistance specialists, and design assistance from local architecture firms in the form of Design Hours under a contract administered by the City.  Boston Main Streets also provides workshops and trainings to Main Street staff and volunteers.

Qualitatively, the overall goal of the Boston Main Streets program is to improve the quality of life in Boston’s neighborhoods.  The vitality of a neighborhood’s business district is critical to the health of the neighborhood as a whole and for that reason all sectors of the community are involved with each Main Street organization. Stakeholders include residents, business and property owners, public and private institutions, community development corporations, and merchant associations.

Organizational History

Greater Ashmont Main Street was designated as one of Boston’s Main Street Districts in the summer of 1999. It was originally called St. Mark’s Area Main Street, but went through a formal re-branding process starting in 2014, including the organizational name change, which became final in 2016. Our commercial district includes more than 130 businesses in almost 400,000 square feet of commercial and institutional space, and serves more than 30,000 residents, workers and commuters.

Staff

Executive Director

Elle Marrone

Executive Director

Elle Marrone serves as Executive Director of Greater Ashmont. She is an entrepreneur and artist and takes a creative approach to supporting small businesses and the greater community.

Program Coordinator

Crystal-Grace Sketers

Programs Coordinator

Crystal-Grace Sketers has been a Dot resident for 6 years and has spent a good portion of that time getting to know folks through community-based employment, enjoying local business offerings, volunteering and being parent to a teenager. Bringing varied backgrounds in childhood education and care, vocal performance, stage work and costuming, restaurant/ live music industry, gardening, volunteering, writing and administrative support together into this role, she is excited for the opportunity to build further connections with residents, businesses and organizations across the community. You are likely to find her visiting local restaurants, catching live music and theatre shows, 'hiking' through our local neighborhoods and natural enclaves, and reading books from Little Free Libraries 🙂

Contact Us

1914 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124
(617) 825-3846

Our Committees

  • Co-Chaired by the President and the Executive Director
  • Other Members include the elected Vice-President, Treasurer, and Clerk, plus appointed task force groups as needed
  • Meets monthly on the First Monday at 8:00pm
  • Manages the Greater Ashmont Main Street organization itself and facilitates inter-organizational relations with Boston Main Streets, the City of Boston, the Commonwealth, our elected officials, other Main Street organizations, and other community actors
  • Co-Chaired by JP Charboneau & TBD
  • Meets monthly on the Fourth Tuesday at 6:00pm in the Greater Ashmont MS Offices
  • Works to foster a clean, vibrant, inviting business district by implementing clean streets initiatives, improving and ensuring maintenance of open/green space, increasing and promoting public art, and partnering with business owners to create welcoming storefronts.
  • Seeking landscape designers, artists, gardeners, and sustainability advocates to:
    • Develop public art and streetscape projects throughout the district
    • Organize Greater Ashmont MS cleanups, coordinate participation in planting efforts and Love Your Block
    • Work with the City of Boston and the MBTA to maintain the public spaces in Peabody Square
    • Enhance sustainability efforts (recycling, green infrastructure, etc.)
  • Co-Chaired by  TBD
  • Meets monthly on the Second Tuesday at 6:00pm
  • Works to promote positive development in the district by leading the community input process on major development projects such as the Ashmont Station renovations and the Trinity Financial Transit-Oriented Development project at the station; working with 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 community charrettes as needed
  • Seeking architects, historic preservation professionals and enthusiasts, planners, and designers to:
    • Meet with property and business owners to discuss design projects
    • Implement a cohesive design strategy for the district
    • Become actively involved in the storefront improvement grant process, Restore Boston
    • Assist the Executive Director in facilitating community meetings as new development proposals arise
  • Co-Chaired by Steve Datish
  • Subcommittees meet on a project specific basis to plan the Ashmont Farmers Market, Dorchester Bike & Brew Festival, our annual Gala fundraiser, houseparties, grant writing, and other projects
  • Promotes our Main Street program and district through outreach to other neighborhood groups; recruiting new members to Greater Ashmont MS; publicizing the program in the media; and sponsoring and participating in events like the Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers Market, Dorchester Day, and other events that help bring our community together
  • Works to bridge the gap between government and corporate funding and our total expenses, holding several fundraising events throughout the year, as well as assisting the Executive Director in writing grant applications as opportunities arise.
  • Seeking event planners, fundraisers, grant writers, people with media/communications experience, and graphic designers to:
    • Promote and publicize Greater Ashmont Main Street
    • Work with local newspapers, writing news articles for web site
    • Organize and volunteer at community special events
    • Support the Farmers Market
    • Organize Greater Ashmont MS fundraisers
    • Recruit corporate sponsors and individual donors
    • Research and write grant applications
    • Design ads, posters or fliers
  • Co-Chaired by Mike Wilson
  • Meets monthly on the third Thursday at 6:00pm
  • Promotes and steers economic development in the Greater Ashmont MS business district consistent with our Vision Statement 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.
  • Seeking business people, graphic designers, and people with financial and real estate experience to:
    • Design and produce marketing materials for Greater Ashmont MS
    • Organize and recruit speakers for bi-monthly Business Breakfast events
    • Expand direct business recruitment by targeting specific businesses to attract to the district
    • Assist the Executive Director in maintaining a database for retail vacancies and rental rates
    • Assist the Executive Director in promoting and facilitating participation in the City of Boston programs designed to support small businesses

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