City News Round Up: Friday, May 22, 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 May 18 City Council meeting. The next meeting is Monday, June 1, at 5:00 PM. The vote on the FY27 budget will take place at this meeting, and public comment will be taken. 

Upcoming Closure - Memorial Day Holiday
Portland City Hall and City offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. There is no change to trash and recycling collection. 

Memorial Day Procession and Commemoration, May 25 at 2 PM
Join Deering Center and the City on Monday, May 25 for a Memorial Day Procession and Commemoration starting at 2:00 PM on Stevens Avenue (in front of Longfellow School). The procession will walk up Stevens Avenue to Evergreen Cemetery green in front of Wilde Memorial Chapel, where a commemoration will be held.

More Pedestrian Safety Efforts Unveiled – New Signage on Franklin Street and Pilot Project in Payson Park
We continue to enhance pedestrian safety through two recent and upcoming projects – new signage on Franklin Street and a new pilot project coming to Payson Park. These projects are a key component of the City's Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Share Your Thoughts About Road Safety on Commercial Street
We’re collaborating with GPCOG on another Safe Streets for All demonstration project. This work is part of our Vision Zero efforts and includes the installation of temporary road safety improvements to test functionality and gather public feedback before permanent changes are considered. In Portland, the demonstration project will be located on Commercial St from Dana St to Franklin St. GPCOG is gathering community sentiment about the existing conditions before the installations are put in place, please take the survey before it closes June 19.

Sidewalk Improvements Coming to Deering Oaks Park 
Starting in mid-June, we'll be replacing the sidewalk along Tennis Court Road, the path between Deering Avenue and State Street. This work will make the park safer and easier for everyone to walk through! The construction will continue until sometime this fall, read the full project details.
 

In-Person Absentee Voting Underway for June 9 Election
In-person early absentee voting for the June 9, 2026 State Primary and Municipal School Budget Referendum is happening now in the State of Maine Room, adjacent to the City Clerk’s Office, on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. Regular hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The last day to in-person absentee vote is Thursday, June 4 (unless you have a special circumstance). For those who have requested their absentee ballot sent to them, those began going out in the mail on Friday, May 8. The Clerk’s Office will be open late, until 7 PM, on June 4, only for voter registration and in-person absentee voting.⁠ 

Stay Cool at City Splashpads This Summer!
City playground splashpads are coming online this week and will be fully operational for Memorial Day weekend. Check our website to find the most up-to-date list of locations and details. 

Before and After the Bell Registration Opens Early June 2-4
Mark your calendars! Registration for the 2026-2027 Before and After the Bell Program is opening earlier than in previous years to ensure families have ample time to coordinate their plans for the upcoming Fall semester. The program follows the Portland Public School calendar and is available for students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade.

Meet Our April 2026 Employee of the Month
Congratulations to James Gakwavu, our April Employee of the Month! James works as a Shelter Security Guard in our Health and Human Services Department, Social Services Division. He is recognized for his exceptional customer service and positive attitude, his composure and professionalism in crisis, and his dignity and respect for all. Staff praise his dedication to his work and the positive impact he makes every day. James is described as the "face" of the office, greeting everyone—staff and clients alike—with dignity, respect, warmth, and a genuine smile.

2026 Hummingbird Grant Recipient
We are happy to announce the second recipient of our annual Hummingbird Grant; congratulations to our 2026 awardee Azraa Mahmoud, founder of Luxe White Studio! The grant provides $1,000 each year to a Portland cosmetology business in honor of Shahnaz Mahager, made possible through a generous donation from Shahnaz’s family and friends. 

Workforce Housing Unit For Sale
A workforce housing unit at 60 Parris Street is available for sale by owner. Find more Portland housing information and resources.

Free Legal Education Workshops 
The Alpha Legal Foundation AmeriCorps Legal Access Navigator Program hosts free civil legal education workshops every Friday, 1-2 PM at the Portland Public Library. 

Social Services Housing Team Reports High Impact Month
We're celebrating 24 shelter-to-housing moves in April 2026!⁠ The Social Services housing team delivered an especially high-impact month. Of the 24 placements, 16 were for "Long-Term Stay" clients—individuals who have spent 180+ days in shelter over the past year.⁠ Now that these clients are housed, they will receive ongoing case management to ensure successful retention and that they have the supports they need.⁠

City Taps Stantec for Portland's Comprehensive Transportation Plan
We will be working with Stantec to lead the development of a comprehensive long-range transportation plan for the city called Portland in Motion. The plan will help the City create a transportation system built around residents’ needs and support the community over the next 20 years. 

May 28: Urban Soils and Lead Workshop at Boyd St Urban Farm
Join us at 58 Boyd Street for an evening of learning about urban soils and strategies for safely growing food in Portland! There will be hands-on activities to demonstrate soil health best practices and resources for testing soils in your farm or garden. This free event is open to the public on May 28, from 5:30-7:30 PM. 

May 30: Make New Friends at WestFest 2026
Join the West End Neighborhood Association for WestFest 2026! Head to the Reiche Community Center (166 Brackett Street) from 10 AM-2 PM for a full day of live music, local food, games, activities, and community organizations!

Community Composting Program - Take our Survey
We want to hear your thoughts on Portland's Community Composting program! Please take a moment to complete this survey by June 2, 2026.

Portland Bach Experience, May 28 - June 7
Join Classical Uprising as they present the 2026 Portland Bach Experience, a 10-day festival from May 28 to June 7, in Greater Portland, Yarmouth, and Brunswick. Find full details and tickets.

Upcoming Friends of Woodfords Corner Events
The Woodfords Community Garden Tour is Saturday, June 13, 1-4 PM, rain date is Sunday, June 14. Tickets on sale now! Tickets are by donation (suggested donation of $20/attendee). Pay what you can: less is fine; more is appreciated! We welcome ALL community members to join us, regardless of their ability to donate. Event proceeds will benefit the Friends of Woodfords Corner and the Locker Project at Ocean Ave Elementary School. 

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Design Survey
Take this public survey for the Gorham-Westbrook-Portland BRT Design Project and help Greater Portland METRO design bus rapid transit service between Gorham, Westbrook, and downtown Portland!

“Coffee with a Cop” June 2 at Portland Public Library
The Police Department, in partnership with the Portland Public Library, will continue its series “Coffee with a Cop” on June 2 from 10:15–11:00 AM at the Library’s downtown branch. “Coffee with a Cop” brings officers and community members together, over coffee, to talk, ask questions, and get to know one another in an informal setting. For more information, please contact Jennifer Rogers at jrogers@portlandmaine.gov.

Do You Rent in Portland? 
Find out if your rental unit is covered by Rent Control and what your past rent amounts have been. Check your rent information.

Infant/Child CPR Class Registration - June 11
Learn life-saving skills for infants and children (under age 8) from Portland Public Health's certified instructors. Free class offered June 11 from 4:30-6 PM for parents and caregivers. Spots are limited! Register by June 1, 2026.

Reiche Parent Cafe is BACK Through July
New and expecting parents are invited to Portland Public Health's free play group at Reiche Community Center. Caregivers of children ages 0-5 are invited! Let your children play while you connect with other caregivers.

Public Works Updates

• New: William St. at Oakdale St. intersection closure starts May 27; weather dependent. Without any delays, work is expected to be completed within one week.
• May 22, May 27-29: Sherman Street (Deering Ave to High) and Cumberland Avenue (Deering Ave to State) No Parking and temp road closures. Read details and see the full 2026 Paving Projects list.
• Licensed Commercial Waste Haulers: Reminder to residents and contractors that City Code requires the use of a City licensed waste hauler for all building renovations or construction projects. Hiring a licensed hauler ensures compliance with City Code regarding disposal methods. 
• Ongoing: Hersey St. Sewer Separation Project Ocean Ave reduced to a single lane as of April 20.
• Commercial Street and Portland Fish Pier Storm Drain Outfall Project - Scheduled to begin in early July 2026.
• Ongoing Neighborhood Drainage and Sewer System Repairs 2025-2028
• Spring Crosswalk Painting: Weather permitting, our Public Works staff is in the process of street painting during daytime hours, starting on the peninsula first. Please be patient and cautious of our workers in the street, and stay off the wet paint.
• Street sweeping is underway. In order for this work to be effective and done by the end of May, we ask for your compliance with parking restrictions. These parking regulations are in effect annually from October 1 to May 31. Find parking restrictions by area and to try our web app for an estimated timeframe of when the City's sweepers will be in your neighborhood. 

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• Now Hiring Summer Pool Staff! Be a part of the inaugural season at the brand new Rising Eddy Community Pool. Work with us as a Seasonal Lifeguard or Pool Guest Service Attendant. We're also offering Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor Courses to get you certified just in time! Bonus: Course participants hired as a Lifeguard by the City are eligible for full reimbursement of the course fee upon completion of 200 hours of work as a Lifeguard within the first year of employment!
• Interested in skateboarding but not sure where to start? Join us at Community Skate Day on Saturday, June 6, 11 AM-1 PM.
• Hit the trails with the new Park Ranger Hike Club! See the list of May/June locations. 
• Read the latest updates in the April 2026 newsletter or subscribe. Games have officially returned to Monument Square for the season! 
• Registration is now open for the Youth Track and Field Club. Sign young athletes up for The Tiny Tri (ages 5-12). View the Recreation Summer Program brochure and full 2025-2026 Parks & Recreation Program Guide. 
• Riverton Trolley Park Ash Tree removal and native replanting starts this month. 
• Portland’s newest community pool is opening soon: Season passes now available.
• Join The Friends of Evergreen for historic one-hour walking tours this summer! View the schedule. Meet at the cemetery office, 672 Stevens Ave., tours are $5, ages 18 and over. 
• Sundays on the Boulevard: Baxter Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays only, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrians, and play through Sunday, September 27, 2026.⁠