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
"The success of the street will be attributable
to numerous factors not the least of which will be a
street-scape that is an attractive place to shop, work,
and live"
- Herb Fremin, Design Committee
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.
Storefront Improvement Photo Gallery
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 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.
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