City News Round Up: Friday, June 5, 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 June 1 City Council meeting. The next meeting is Monday, June 15 at 5:00 PM.

Tonight is First Friday Art Walk! Download the map.

Road Closures: Old Port Half Marathon & 5K, Saturday, June 6
The Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon & 5K returns to Portland this Saturday. View the full road closure details.

Upcoming Closures
Portland City Hall and City offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance and recognition of Juneteenth. There is no change to trash/recycling collection.

Go Vote! Tuesday, June 9 is Election Day
Election Day for the State Primary and School Budget Referendum is Tuesday, June 9, view sample ballots on our website. The polls are open 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and all polling locations are ADA compliant. Portland residents can register to vote on Election Day at your polling location. (Find your polling location.) Absentee ballots must be returned to City Hall by 8:00 PM on election day to be processed and counted. Ballots are NOT to be returned to your polling location. Return your ballot to one of our 24-hour secure external drop boxes located at City Hall next to the Myrtle Street entrance or at the Public Works Building at 212 Canco Road.

Rent Board Vacancy
We have one open seat on our Rent Board, visit our Boards and Committees portal to learn more; applicants must live in District 5. The Rent Board is staffed by the City's Housing Safety Office. Please direct additional questions to to: rentboard@portlandmaine.gov. Contact the Portland City Clerk to apply: alombard@portlandmaine.gov, 207-756-8385.

Help Us Celebrate Clean Water Week! June 7-13
We’re getting ready to celebrate Clean Water Week, June 7-13! Established in 1983, the event recognizes the value, importance, and need to protect and conserve our water resources. See the list of events our Water Resources team has organized with local organizations - please join us! 

Apply Now for Residential Parking Permits

Residential parking permits valid through June 30, 2027 are now available. To apply for a permit, visit the Customer Portal to log in or create an account. Using the online portal is the fastest way to complete your application and avoid waiting in line. 

Community Composting Program Survey - Deadline Extended
We've extended our composting survey deadline to June 9! If you haven't had a chance to participate yet, there's still time to share your thoughts and help shape the future of community composting in Portland.

Celebrate Pride Month: Community Resource Fair & Presentation
Join us Wednesday, June 10, from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM at the Portland Public Library to discover local LGBTQ-serving organizations and connect with vital resources right here in our community! Don't miss out—view the event flyer for the full schedule and more details.  

Portland in Motion - June 11 Kickoff Open House
We're developing a new transportation plan, the first in over 30 years, and we hope you'll get involved! The plan, Portland in Motion, will establish a city-wide roadmap for how people and goods move through Portland over the next 20 years. Please join us at the first drop-in event on Thursday, June 11 from 4-6 PM at Portland Public Library’s Rines Auditorium (5 Monument Square). This is the first in a series of open houses to come.

Join us at a Public Health Play Group or Parent Cafe!

• Come hang out with us at a Deering Oaks Play Group Monday, June 8 from 11AM-1PM! All families, parents, and guardians are welcome to join and make new local friends, meet local providers, and even walk away with a FREE Cleaning Kit ($150+) while supplies last.
• New and expecting parents are also invited to this free Parent Cafe at Reiche Community Center. June 11 is a Beach Party theme, every attendee will receive a beach ball to keep for their summer of fun!

Water District Meeting Regarding Upcoming Project

Portland Water District (PWD) is planning a water main replacement project on Chapman and Fisher Streets. The project is scheduled to begin on July 6, 2026. PWD will be hosting an open-house style neighborhood meeting to help inform the public of this project on June 10, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. The meeting will be hosted at PWD’s Nixon Training room at 225 Douglass Street. The public is welcome to attend at any point during the meeting time to learn more about the project.

Coffee and Climate - Creative Climate Communications
Join us Friday, June 12, 9-10AM, and hear from special guest, Max Boykoff, from University of Colorado Boulder. Learn how comedy, art, storytelling, and performance can make climate change tangible and relatable –and be a powerful catalyst for engaging people in climate action! Register today. 

Midtown Community Engagement Results
Earlier this Spring we asked for community input—via survey and public meetings—regarding the potential sale of four City-owned parcels in the Bayside neighborhood. Watch a replay of the June 2 presentation of the Midtown community engagement findings from the Housing & Economic Development Committee meeting. Read a summary of the results in the agenda packet. 

Resurgam Music and Arts Festival June 13-14
The FREE and open to the public Resurgam Music and Arts Festival returns Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and June 14! Visit their website to become a volunteer, find the schedule and join the mailing list.

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. 

Portland Observatory Now Open for Season
The Portland Observatory is owned by the City and operated as an educational museum by Greater Portland Landmarks. Find their hours and guided tour offerings.

Western Prom Summer Concerts
Bookmark the schedule for Wednesday evening concerts returning soon! 

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.
 

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, 1-2PM at the Portland Public Library. 

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.

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!

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.

Public Works Updates

• June 3-5 and June 8: MaineDOT project on Commercial Street (India to Franklin) and Fore Street (Center to Hancock) begins Wednesday requiring No Parking and lane shifts. Milling will be scheduled the week of June 8 with full detours in areas of Fore Street and No Parking.
• Check 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
   

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• Read the latest updates in the May 2026 newsletter or subscribe.  Join us at Community Skate Day this Saturday, June 6, 11 AM-1 PM.
• Registration for the 2026-2027 Before and After the Bell Program opened earlier (June 2-4) than in previous years to ensure families have ample time to coordinate their plans for the upcoming Fall semester.
   
• 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!
• Annual Spring Tulip Bulb Distribution! Starting Monday, June 8, bags of dried bulbs will be available in a cart directly outside our 212 Canco Road office -first come, first served.
• We've partnered with PAYSA for the Fall 2026 recreation soccer season, now open directly through Parks! Read more in the newsletter or register online.
• Hit the trails with the new Park Ranger Hike Club! See the list of May/June locations. Registration is now open for the Youth Track and Field Club. View the Recreation Summer Program brochure and full 2025-2026 Parks & Recreation Program Guide. 
• Portland’s newest community pool is opening soon: Season passes now available.
• Splash Pads are back! Find locations and more details.
  Games have officially returned to Monument Square for the season! 
• 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.⁠ 

We’re Hiring!
We are hiring across several departments, 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.