Committees

Design Committee
The Design Committee's goal is to create and maintain an inviting atmosphere. The committee encourages attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping that convey a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.

Gateway Grants Promote New Looks
Gateway's Storefront Improvement Program provides matching fund grants to businesses for improvements to their storefronts such as signs, lighting and security alternatives to roll-down grates. To date, 36 businesses have received architectural design assistance and/or matching funds grants. This $100,000+ was a significant leveraging factor for the $11 million invested by Gateway businesses in capital improvements since 1997.

If you are a Gateway business interested in a matching funds storefront improvement grant or a business or property owner interested in design assistance, or if you would like a copy of Gateway's publication "Alternatives to solid roll-down grates", contact the Gateway office at (617) 542-1234.

Gateway Project Reviews Encourage Continuity, Improve Designs
Everyone who comes before the Design Committee says that their project has benefited from the committee's design review and many projects have been improved by the committee's suggestions.
- Guy Busa, Design Committee Chairperson
Gateway's Design Committee constantly works with new and established Gateway businesses on their storefront designs. "The design committee has continued to work together with businesses, offering imaginative design suggestions in addition to economic support," states former Design Committee member Sue Weil. Anyone interested in improving the physical appearance of the district, such as developers, property owners, and businesses, can contact the Gateway office for design guidelines, design review and permitting procedures.

The Design Committee meets the first Monday of the month.


Economic Restructuring Committee
The Economic Restructuring committee's goal is to strengthen the community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base.

Method: Economic Restructuring works to sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruit compatible new businesses and new economic uses to build a commercial district that responds to today's consumers' and residents’ needs. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property is another activity that the committee pursues to help boost the profitability of the district.

Current Focus
  • Business Recruitment - Active retail stores selling home furnishings, clothing, moderately priced restaurants, hardware, books, art supplies, and greeting cards are of particular interest.
    • Help is also given to prospective new businesses such as:
      • locating suitable sites
      • rules and requirements for opening a business in the neighborhood
  • Improve and Extend Silver Line
  • Develop Action Plans for Underutilized Property
  • Support Existing Businesses:
    • networking
    • links to educational and business opportunities
  • Provide technical assistance and referrals for permitting, licensing, and ongoing business operations
Jim Seligman is chair of this committee. The Economic Committee meets on the third Monday of the month.


Promotions Committee
Promotion sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the Main Street district. By marketing a district's unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners, and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers. These activities improve consumer and investor confidence in the district and encourage commercial activity and investment in the area.

Gateway's Promotion Committee works on:
  • Retail events that promote the businesses along Washington Street
  • New Store Ribbon Cuttings
  • Volunteer/Corporate Buddy Special Events
  • Networking Events
  • Fund Raising Events
  • Cooperative Advertising


Organization Committee
Organization-recruits new board members and volunteers, ensuring they are both truly interested in our mission and willing to put in the time it takes to make the organization work. They are also responsible for board and volunteer training.

GRANTS AVAILABLE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES:
Storefront Improvement Grants are granted by Boston Main Streets through Washington Gateway Main Street. In order to qualify a business must be located within the district, submit forms to WGMS and appear with their plans at the WGMS Design Committee. Provided the designs meet local and Landmark Commission (if applicable) standards, then the application is forwarded to Boston Main Streets for final review. The program will match funds up to $5,000. Projects must be completed by June 30,2009. The RESTORE Program provides grants to local businesses for signage changes or creation of signs. The grant is a flat amount of $2,500. Application is through Washington Gateway Main Street. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2009. Design assistance is available at no charge through the Boston Main Streets design group. Applicants can apply for either Storefront or RESTORE and also apply for design assistance with their projects. There is no charge for these services. Applications are through Washington Gateway Main Street. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2009.