Fields Corner Main Street (FCMS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the economic vitality and cultural richness of the Fields Corner district in Boston. Their mission is to foster a diverse, thriving business district while serving the needs of residents and business owners in the community. In order to support the economic development of the neighborhood, FCMS offers small business consultations, permitting assistance, and advocacy for local service. The organization also organizes events, workshops, and initiatives that promote community engagement, cultural preservation, neighborhood beautification efforts, and growth of local entrepreneurs.
About the Neighborhood:
Fields Corner is a vibrant district within Boston’s largest neighborhood, Dorchester. It is home to a mix of Vietnamese, African American, Cape Verdean, Irish, and Latino residents and local businesses, as well as a growing LGBTQIA+ population. This diversity is reflected in the multitude of shops, services, and restaurants within the neighborhood, many of which are concentrated near the intersection of Adams Street and Dorchester Avenue, a central artery through Dorchester. This intersection, home to several historic buildings including the O’Hearn Storage Building where the Fields Corner Main Streets office is located, is easily accessible by various bus lines and the nearby station for the Ashmont Branch of the MBTA Red Line. Many streetscape improvements have been made in recent years, including eff orts by FCMS, to improve the walk-ability and character of this important part of Fields Corner. FCMS intends to remain in this central location as long as possible because of these many benefits, which allow for the greatest accessibility to and by the community.
Project Brief:
The current Fields Corners Main Street office space is underutilized and would benefit from both reorganization and minor renovation to optimize the available space. FCMS is small but gradually growing, and adapting the existing space will require a series of interventions that can be enacted as needed over time as funding becomes available. The current layout could be more conducive to a productive work environment for the team and more inviting for hosting visiting community members or board meetings. Ideally the space is flexible enough to support these practical functions and continue to evolve incrementally with FCMS as it continues to grow and change over time.
The most pressing need is for a significant increase in storage capacity as well as greater variety in storage types to house items of all sizes and frequencies of use. Consolidating that increased storage as efficiently as possible will free up space for more strategic furniture placement to foster collaboration and create a more welcoming environment. The addition of art or memorabilia and purposefully located pops of color can enliven the space while tackling more practical issues like glare and signage. By taking steps to transform this modestly sized office suite into a highly functional workspace, FCMS will be far better equipped to carry out their mission to serve the Fields Corner community.
Proposal:
foyer
office
conference
Community Partner:
Fields Corner Main Streets
PAYETTE Team:
Alexandra Barnes
Xichen Sheng
Adam Wagner
Chinenye Ogbu
Christian Blomquist
Emily Hanson
Jessica Hoctor
Kirk DIxon
Michelle Ovanessians
Shizheng Geng
Shreeya Shakya
Zoha Amjad
