2026 MLK Day of Service: Greater Ashmont Main Streets

Greater Ashmont Main Streets (GAMS) is a Boston Main Streets District since 1999 (when it was formed as St Mark’s Area Main Street). With support from the City of Boston as well as outside funds from support organizations, donations and grants, GAMS works to elevate and amplify the great community impact and business development work already happening in the neighborhood, connecting like-minded enterprises and aligning efforts to effect change.

Their signature event is the Ashmont Friday Market that runs from mid-July through October at Droser Plaza. With a focus on local businesses, artists and craftspeople, the Friday Market is a primary engine for community connection and collaboration in the area.

Project Brief:

GAMS is seeking design ideas for transforming the Ashmont MBTA station into a welcoming space for the community that encourages activity and celebrates the character of the neighborhood. The proposals should be minimally invasive and provide an outsized value with regards to scope and budget. While last years’ study was focused on the intersection and associated plazas, this year the focus is more concentrated on the Ashmont MBTA station and the areas directly adjacent, including Droser Plaza and the bus station.

In order to initiate a meaningful dialogue for possible activation strategies for the site, we aimed to avoid excessive specificity in the proposal. The collection of ideas presented here cast a wide net, leaving the door open to many possibilities based on available budget, time, and interest. These ideas respond directly and intentionally to the challenges and goals GAMS hopes to achieve, and are the first step in a study we hope can initiate real action and positive change.

Proposal:

levels of intervention