City News Round Up: Friday, June 12, 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, read the agenda preview at the end of this message.

High Street Emergency Road Closure (Commercial St to York St)
High St. is closed to all traffic, between Commercial St. and York St., for emergency repair of the roadway. Traffic can still travel North on High Street. It’s anticipated that work will be completed by the end of next week or early into the following week; please seek an alternate route.

Upcoming City Hall Closure
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.

Resurgam Music and Arts Festival June 13-14
The FREE and open to the public Resurgam Music and Arts Festival returns this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14! Visit their website to find the schedule.

Pride Portland Parade Set for Saturday, June 20
City staff and officials will be marching in the Pride Parade on Saturday, June 20, and we hope to see you there! Visit the Pride Portland website for the full details. Please note: METRO bus routes will be detoured around the parade route and there are a number of street closures that will be in place, including Congress Street, High Street, and Park Avenue. Don’t forget to visit the Pride Festival in Deering Oaks Park after the parade. All METRO rides are free that day! Please note that there will be no parking for Pride or the Farmers’ Market in Deering Oaks that day; parking will be available in the Fitzpatrick Stadium lot. 

Naming of New Waterfront Community Park Headed to Council for Approval
At its meeting on June 15, the Portland City Council will discuss approving First Light Commons as the official name for the city’s new waterfront community park. Public comment will be taken, and the public is encouraged to attend the meeting.  

City and Maine Bureau of Highway Safety Launch Pedestrian Safety Campaign
On Thursday, June 11, the City and Maine Bureau of Highway Safety announced the launch of a new community-driven pedestrian safety campaign at a press conference in Lincoln Park. The campaign will run this summer in Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn to address the growing number of pedestrian fatalities and serious crashes across the state.

Election Results
Find the unofficial election results for the June 9, 2026 State Primary and School Budget Referendum vote. Official results will be posted on the City's website once the City Clerk has certified the results.

Parking Rates to Increase as of July 1, 2026
City Council approved changes in the hourly parking rates and parking meter hours of operation as part of the recently approved Fiscal Year 2027 municipal budget. Read the full changes that go into effect on July 1, 2026.

Construction Site: Union Branch Multi-Use Pathway
Exciting progress is underway on the Union Branch Multi-Use Pathway, but we need your help! Our project inspectors have noticed that many of you are already trying out the path trail. Please be aware, the Union Branch Path Trail is still an active construction site. For your safety and the crews' safety, please hold off on using the path trail until its official completion, planned for September 2026.

City Celebrates Graduation of Sixth Natural Helpers Cohort
Our Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) is honored to announce the graduation of its sixth cohort of the Natural Helpers program! Fourteen individuals, representing 11 organizations and  seven countries of origin, from Ghana to Colombia to the United States and hailing from cities including Portland, Biddeford, Saco, and South Portland, have successfully completed a comprehensive five-month fellowship focused on leadership development, resource navigation,  community advocacy, and self-empowerment. The City will honor these individuals at a graduation ceremony at 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 13. 

Tourism and Public Health
Portland Public Health has launched a new Tourism and Public Health page! Stay informed with important communications from your local public health department. Review practical health guidance and practice prevention methods to reduce your risks of contracting and spreading sickness during our highest-traffic seasons!

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: rentboard@portlandmaine.gov. Contact the Portland City Clerk to apply: alombard@portlandmaine.gov, 207-756-8385.

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. 

Portland in Motion
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.

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. 

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. 

June 17: Portland Landcare Lunch Break Series - Composting  
Join us online, 12-1PM, for a presentation with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection will present “Where Do My Food Scraps Go? The Journey from Scraps to Soil.” Learn about the composting process, where food scraps go after collection, and how compost supports healthy soils and sustainable waste management practices. Sign up today!

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 by June 19 - 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.
 

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. 

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 18: Canco Rd Closure to Through Traffic (Read St to Washington Ave) for Storm Drain Repair. Work is expected to be completed within about 3-5 days.
• 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. 
• 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!
• Park Ranger Hike Club walks are every other Saturday in different locations throughout the city. Next up tomorrow, June 13, 10AM-12PM meet at:  Eastern Prom, Cleeves & Tucker Memorial (13 Congress Street). 
• Reiche Playground Renovation Project is breaking ground on June 18!
• Registration is now open (through July 24) for Recreation PAYSA Youth Soccer! The fall season will take place in September and October, with games beginning on September 5. Detailed information for each division is available on our MyRec registration page.
• Tennis in the Parks registration is open! Learn more about Youth sessions and Adult sessions in July.
• Registration for the 2026-2027 Before and After the Bell Program opened earlier than in previous years (June 2-4) to ensure families have ample time to coordinate their plans for the upcoming Fall semester.
• 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. 
• Get a season pass for Portland’s newest community pool, opening soon! Find Splash Pad locations and 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.
 

Portland City Council Meeting, Monday, June 15

Join us for the next City Council meeting to discuss key community projects and updates.

When: Monday June 15, 2026

Where: Council Chambers, City Hall (2nd Floor).

Time: Public comment on non-agenda items begins at 5:00 P.M.

Key Agenda Highlights

Community Improvements - Discussion on appropriating bond proceeds for critical repairs to the Riverton Pool, which has been closed since 2023.

Parks & Recreation - Acceptance of donations for traffic calming in Payson Park, the Portland Youth Corps, and improvements to North Deering Park.

Safety & Infrastructure - Approval of a $2.12 million federal grant for safety improvements along the Brighton Avenue corridor.

New Policies - Further consideration of the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Tax (PILOT) policy.

Regional Trails - Support for the Casco Bay Trail, a proposed 24.8-mile bicycle and pedestrian path between Portland and Auburn.

Events - Date change for the annual Water Lantern Festival at Deering Oaks Park, now proposed for August 15, 2026.

Sports - Proposed agreement amendment to add a Hearts of Pine women’s soccer team at Fitzpatrick Stadium starting in 2027.

Get Involved

Watch Live -  Stream the meeting in our Agenda Portal.

Public Comment - Submit written comments to publiccomment@portlandmaine.gov by 12:00 PM the day before the meeting. Please include your name, address, and the relevant order number.