City News Round Up: Friday, June 26, 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 15 City Council meeting. The next meeting is a special, double meeting on Monday, July 20, at 4 PM and 5:30 PM.

High Street To Reopen Saturday Afternoon (Commercial St to York St)
The contractor completed final paving on High Street this week. Pavement striping work on High Street (Commercial St. to York St.) will be completed on Saturday, June 27. The road will reopen to traffic Saturday afternoon once the paint has dried.

Paving Work Continues on Commercial Street and Fore Street
Final paving is scheduled to start on Monday, June 29, and will take at least 3-4 days to complete. This work will require full detours in areas of Commercial Street and Fore Street, and No Parking along the entire road. Read the full update.

Upcoming City Hall Closure
Portland City Hall and City offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. There is no change to Trash & Recycling collection. Please have items curbside by 6:30 AM.⁠ We wish you a happy and safe holiday!

⁠City Seeks Partners to Run Nightly Warming Shelter this Winter
On Thursday, June 25, we issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI #26105) to identify qualified partners interested in collaborating to operate a low-barrier winter warming shelter during the 2026-2027 season. We’re seeking interest from nonprofit organizations, service providers, faith communities, health facilities, and property owners to ensure this vital life-saving resource is available to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness during the coldest months of the year.

New Payment Option for Stormwater Customers Effective July 1
We are offering a lower cost option to pay your stormwater invoice online. Effective July 1, 2026, customers can pay stormwater invoices online with a 2.5% credit card fee or an ACH (e-check) fee of $1 per transaction. We will transition away from the current site, MyOnlineBill, during July; it will stop working on August 1, 2026. All auto-payment information stored on that site will be deleted. Customers can set up the auto-pay feature on the new self-service website.

Next Round of Job Creation Grants: Applications Now Open
The next round of Job Creation Grants is now open! The City's Business Assistance Program for Job Creation (BAP) provides reimbursement-based matching grants of up to $20,000 to new and expanding for-profit Portland businesses for the creation of new jobs for low/moderate income individuals, at $10,000 per full-time job (and $5,000 for part-time job). BAP is funded by the City of Portland's Community Development Block Grant. Applications received by August 3, 2026, will be considered. 

Portland Fire Celebrates Academy Graduation
The Fire Department is pleased to announce that 12 new firefighters will graduate from their initial training at a ceremony today. Their graduation follows a rigorous nine-week advanced fire and EMS training academy. Mayor Mark Dion and city officials will join the ceremony to congratulate the graduates and their families.

Portland’s Fourth of July - 2026 Fireworks Information
Once again, we are hosting a fireworks display for the Fourth of July on Saturday, July 4, at the usual spot on the Eastern Promenade, with fireworks set to go off at approximately 9:15 PM. ⁠Fireworks will be launched from the East End Trail, and for the third year, Casco Bay Wind Symphony will perform starting at 7:00 PM until the beginning of the fireworks show. Food trucks will be available on the Eastern Prom Roadway.⁠ ⁠A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, July 5.⁠ Read the full parking and road closure information.

Reminder: Consumer Fireworks Prohibited
We’re reminding residents and visitors that Consumer fireworks are prohibited in Portland according to the City code. Per City Code Sec. 17-32, the purchase and use of consumer/personal fireworks are banned in the City of Portland and should not be brought to the Eastern Prom. Fines of at least $200 apply for individuals intending to use fireworks within the city. 

Join Us! Community Pool Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Please join us to celebrate the official opening of the new Rising Eddy Community Pool on Monday, July 6. The festivities kick off at 1:00 PM and run through 6:00 PM, with a full afternoon of food, games, and activities. Explore the new space and grab a bite to eat from the food trucks! 

Meet our May Employee of the Month
Please help us congratulate our May Employee of the Month, Evan Schueckler! Evan is the Historic Preservation Manager in our Planning & Urban Development Department, and is recognized for his dedication, passion for his work, and ability to always see the big picture. He has made an incredible impact on our city with significant improvements to the City’s Historic Preservation policies and program.
Evan was integral to the update of the City’s Historic Preservation ordinance in 2024 as part of ReCode, and recently completed the monumental task of updating the City's 30-year-old Historic Resources Design Manual. Beyond Evan’s technical achievements, he is a colleague who simply makes the office a better place. Whether he is making everyone laugh, engaging in passionate discussions about his field, or providing exceptional support to his team and the public, his commitment is evident. Thank you, Evan!

Help Us Improve Water Quality! Dole Brook Watershed
Our City Water Resources staff are developing a Watershed Management Plan for Dole Brook and are seeking public input to help identify opportunities for improving water quality. We have created an online mapping tool and encourage everyone to participate! The area includes: Riverside Industrial Parkway, streets north of Forest Ave between Tucker and Eastwind, most of Plymouth St, PATHS, Delaware Court, Pennell Ave, and streets west of Washington Ave between Cypress and Riverside, including the Palmer Ave area. 

July 14: Portland Landcare Lunch Break Series - Urban Tree Health
Join us online, 12-1 PM, for our second webinar in this series! Special guest Mark Reiland, our City arborist, will tell us about our urban trees -  why they matter and what we can do to protect them. Register to attend this webinar and future sessions in the series.

Safe Streets For All - Commercial Street Project
We’re collaborating with GPCOG on another Safe Streets for All demonstration project. In Portland, the project will be located on Commercial St from Dana St to Franklin St. 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. 

First Light Commons Waterfront Park
At its meeting on June 15, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve First Light Commons as the official name for the city’s new waterfront community park. The park, which is under construction, was temporarily referred to as Portland Harbor Common.

Creative Portland Adds Third Wednesdays
A new street art activation program in the heart of the Arts District -Third Wednesdays- soft-launched this past week! Third Wednesdays introduces live music from 4–7 PM (in two locations near 511 Congress Street Plaza) each month, June through October, featuring the participation of local businesses along the 500 block of Congress Street.

Pedestrian Safety:  Slow Down, We Walk Here
A new community-driven pedestrian safety campaign is running this summer in Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn to address the growing number of pedestrian fatalities and serious crashes across the state.
Additionally, the Council’s Sustainability & Transportation Committee meeting on July 8 will focus on pedestrian safety updates and action items City staff are working on to achieve our Vision Zero goal. 

Share Your Input! 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. Please take 5-minutes to fill out the questionnaire to let us know what's working, what isn't, and what your big ideas are for our streets, sidewalks, and transit.

PPD Archie In the News
Don't miss this great story about PPD Archie - highlighting how he helps bring comfort and support to people when they need it most.

Parking Rates Increasing July 1
The 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. Learn about the full changes that go into effect on July 1, 2026.

Safety Alert: Union Branch Multi-Use Pathway Under Construction
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 that 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.

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: 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 Observatory Now Open
The Portland Observatory is owned by the City and operated seasonally 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! 

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. 

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!

Public Works Updates

• Check the full 2026 Paving Projects list for the latest updates.
• Canco Rd Closure to Through Traffic (Read St to Washington Ave) for Storm Drain Repair. 
• Commercial Street and Portland Fish Pier Storm Drain Outfall Project - Scheduled to begin in early July 2026.
• 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.
• Ongoing Neighborhood Drainage and Sewer System Repairs 2025-2028
   

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• Now Hiring Lifeguards! Be a part of the inaugural season at the brand new Rising Eddy Community Pool! Work with us as a Seasonal Lifeguard. We're also offering Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor Courses to get you certified. Courses are ongoing as need arises. If you are not certified and interested in becoming a Lifeguard, email aquatics@portlandmaine.gov. 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! 
• Reminder: Tracks and courts are shared spaces and a home base for many of our youth programs. To ensure you don't arrive during a closed session, please check the MyRec Calendar before your visit. 
• Read the latest updates in the June 2026 newsletter or subscribe. 
• Park Ranger Hike Club walks are every other Saturday in different locations throughout the city. Next up: Saturday, June 27, 10 AM - 12 PM, meet at PATHS, Casco Bay High School Trailhead (196 Allen Ave). 
• Find answers to all of your Rising Eddy Community Pool questions on our Know Before you Go webpage. 
• Summer discount tickets are now available for Funtown Splashtown and Aquaboggan Water Park! Buy them at our Parks, Recreation, & Facilities Administrative office, Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 4:30 PM.
• Summer Youth, Teen, Adult, and Family Programs have been added - visit Portland MyRec Programs to sign up! Tennis in the Parks registration is open: learn more about Youth sessions and Adult sessions in July.
• Join the Park Rangers for complimentary freezer pops on National Freezer Pop Day, Wednesday, July 8!
• The Reiche Playground Renovation Project is now underway!
• 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. Find detailed information for each division.
• 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.