City of Portland Alerts

City News Round Up: Friday, January 30, 2026

City News Round Up: Friday, January 30, 2026

Meetings & Agendas
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Council, Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings, and to view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings. Read a recap of the January 21 City Council meeting. The next meeting is Monday, February 2, at 5:00 PM; read the agenda preview at the end of this message.

Emergency Warming Shelter Open Overnight Friday and Saturday
The emergency overnight warming shelter will be open tonight, Friday, and Saturday, January 30-31, from 7:30 PM - 6:30 AM at 166 Riverside Industrial Parkway. A free shuttle service will be available to bring guests to and from the Warming Shelter. ⁠Visit our website to learn more.

2/16: Upcoming Holiday Closure
Portland City Hall and city buildings will be closed on Monday, February 16 in observance of Presidents' Day. There is no change to trash and recycling collection.

Mayor Mark Dion Statements Regarding ICE in Portland
City of Portland Mayor, Mark Dion, shared statements both last week and this week regarding the ICE presence in Portland. Read more on our website and on the City’s social media.

Business Survey on ICE Impacts
We have heard from a number of businesses in Portland that the recent increase of ICE presence has impacted businesses in several ways, such as decreased revenue and labor disruptions. If you are a business owner, please complete a brief, anonymous survey to help us fully understand this impact. The survey should take less than 3 minutes to complete.

Mayor & City Council Discuss Supporting Minnesota's Lawsuit Against ICE
Mayor Dion and the City Council met in executive session on Monday evening, January 26, to discuss participating in a lawsuit in support of Minnesota and the Twin Cities. During the meeting, they received legal guidance regarding litigation in the case of State of Minnesota v. Noem, 0:26-cv-00190 (D. Minn.). The case seeks declaratory and injunctive relief against the federal government's unconstitutional immigration enforcement tactics involved in the surge of ICE agents in Minnesota. 

Share Comment by 1/31: Updated Historic Resources Design Manual Draft
After four workshops with the City’s Historic Preservation Board, the City has released the final draft of the updated Historic Resources Design Manual, a guide for historic preservation projects and reviews. Before the manual is finalized, take a look and let us know what you think. Your input will help make this guide all the more useful! The review draft will be available for public comment through January 31st, after which staff will make final edits based on feedback before bringing the document back to the Historic Preservation Board for adoption.

City Seeks Applicants to Serve on Several Boards & Committees
Help shape your city! The City Clerk's office is seeking applications for various board and committee positions, which all play an important role in Portland’s government. Residents can find the full board and committee descriptions, along with application directions, on our website. Apply by Friday, February 27th.

Department of Planning and Urban Development 2025 Accomplishments
In 2025, the Planning Board approved 1,347 new housing units, including 107 workforce and 285 affordable units, over $4 million in contributions earmarked for the Housing Trust Fund, and furthered the City’s sustainable goals by approving 244 street trees, 64 EV charging stations, and 645 bicycle parking spaces. Find the full 2025 recap in our agenda portal. The Historic Preservation Program approved 12 board reviews, 83 administrative reviews, and 452 permit reviews in 2025; read the full recap.

Creative Portland Open Call and February First Friday Art Salon
Greater Portland artists are invited to submit work for exhibition consideration in Creative Portland's upcoming 9th juried show, Resistance, which will hang for one year, between May 2026 through April 2027, at their Free Street gallery space. Join them for an artist salon during the next First Friday Art Walk, February 6, 6-7 PM, to view their current gallery exhibition, Acceptance, before it comes down.

One Climate Future Celebrates Five Years of Climate Action
The Cities of Portland and South Portland are celebrating an important anniversary this year! Five years ago, the two cities joined forces to create and adopt One Climate Future, a bold plan charting a course to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050 and use 100% clean energy for municipal operations by 2040, while building resilience to the impacts of climate change. More than 70% of the climate strategies included in the plan are now underway. Read the full update and progress.

Maine Coast Fishermen Fundraiser
In the wake of the recent fire, Maine Coast Fishermen has set up a fundraiser to help support the fishing businesses impacted by the 3-alarm fire on Custom House Wharf. All donations minus processing fees from online platforms will go to support those affected by the fire. Please visit their fundraising page if you would like to donate.

Portland Professional Connections Program Relaunches
Our Office of Economic Opportunity, in partnership with the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce the relaunch of the Portland Professional Connections (PPC) program. PPC is a collaborative initiative that helps Portland’s highly skilled individuals from a range of cultural and professional experiences build meaningful relationships with local leaders and grow their careers in the Greater Portland area. 

Public Works Updates

New! City's Economic Development Team Offers Q&A Office Hours
Connect with our Economic Development staff every Wednesday, from 10:00- 11:00 AM! Come with questions or concerns relating to new downtown activation initiatives, including: storefront vacancy ordinance, call for art (now extended to 2/1/26!), temporary use permit, and interest-free storefront loans. Join via video call link, or dial: ‪(US) +1 470-635-0052‬ PIN: ‪954 693 546‬#. Read their quarterly newsletter for latest updates.

Vacant Storefront Art Initiative - Call For Art Closes Sunday, 2/1
The City Council recently passed an order that will soon require vacant commercial storefronts in the Pedestrian Activities District (PAD) that have been empty for six months or more to register their vacant property within 30 days of their property becoming vacant. The City is also currently accepting submissions for art (proposals due by 2/1/26) to be reproduced in vacant storefront windows. A juried art selection will be available for property owners to select from in the coming months. Owners of vacant properties in the PAD are also encouraged to take advantage of a new Temporary Use Permit.

Call For Art: New Commission at Portland Harbor Common Park
The Public Art Committee is excited to announce an open call for artists to submit qualifications for a new public artwork commission at the forthcoming Portland Harbor Common Park. The park is expected to begin construction in March 2026 and open in September 2026. The deadline to submit materials is Wednesday, February 11.

Free Webinars for Small Businesses
SCORE Maine is offering free workshops and webinars on various topics related to running a small business.

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

Register Your Dog by January 31, 2026
State law requires you to license your dog each year; residents can register dogs online or at the City Clerk's office. Register annually by January 31 to avoid the $25 late fee. Fees: $6 per year; $11 unneutered/unspayed. (A $1 transaction fee + a $1.75 shipping/handling fee is added to online registration transactions.)

New Portland Music Festival Announced - May 15 & 16
All Roads Portland, in partnership with State Theatre, is a two-day festival & showcase of national and Maine music talent across multiple independent venues in and around Portland’s Arts District. The mission is to provide local artists the opportunity to connect with first-class touring talent on their home turf, while celebrating the independent stages of Portland, Maine. 

We’re Hiring!
We are hiring across several departments in the city, with a variety of open positions: healthcare roles (RNs/CNAs), trades workers, before and after-school recreation counselors, lifeguards, 911 dispatchers, community health workers, and
more. Come make a difference with us; our wellness benefits are award winning.

February 2nd City Council Meeting - Agenda Preview

The City Council will conduct this meeting in the Council Chambers, 2nd floor of City Hall. The public may attend in person or watch online.

5:00 PM - Public comment period on non-agenda items

Proclamations and 2 Consent Items (Public comment on Consent Items)
#13 Recognizing Barber Foods
#19 Recognizing Cullen Ryan for his Leadership at Community Housing of Maine
#20 Recognizing February 7, 2026 as 2-0-7 Day
#21 Recognizing Parker Poole IV for his Bravery and Service to the City of Portland

Communications (No Council action, No Public comment)
#11 Regarding the 2026 Council Common Goals

Resolutions (Public comment taken)
#7 Authorizing the Mayor, on Behalf of the City Council, to Participate in Litigation Related to the Surge of Immigration Enforcement Activities

Unfinished Business (Public comment taken)
#115 Amendment Portland City Code Chapter 34 RE: Landcare Management Advisory Committee
#121 Approving Agreement Between the MaineDOT and Portland RE: Improvements to Route 9, Route 9 West, and Route 22
#122 Accepting/Adopting Emergency Operations Plan
#123 Amendments Portland City Code Chapter 2 RE: Emergency Management

Orders (Public comment on # 126 only, others First Read only)
#126 Renaming Kiwanis Pool in Libbytown the Rising Eddy Community Pool
#127 Accepting/Appropriating $250,000 in Donated Funds Raised by the Portland Parks Conservancy for the Portland Public Pool Replacement Project
#128 Accepting/Appropriating a $3,783 Maine Historic Preservation Commission Grant for Planning Staff Participation in Forum 2026
#129 Approving Service Contract between Maine Historic Preservation Commission and the City and Accepting/Appropriating Pass-Through Grant in the amount of $13,257 to the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association
#130 Approving Service Contract between Maine Historic Preservation Commission and the City and Accepting/Appropriating Pass-Through Grant in the amount of $14,332 to the Fifth Maine Regiment Museum 

Past Alerts