City News Round Up: Friday, September 18, 2026 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• 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 September 9 City Council meeting. The next City Council meeting is Monday, September 21 at 5:00 PM; read the agenda preview at the end of this message.

NEED TO KNOW

• City Hall will be closed Thursday, September 24, from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM so staff can attend our annual employee appreciation event.
• Read a statement from Mayor Mark Dion regarding the two recent traffic incidents involving children.
• All community members, business owners, housing providers, and developers are invited to an interactive Permitting and Inspections Open House on Wednesday, September 30, 4 to 6 PM in the Kippy Richardson Conference Room 24 (basement level of Portland City Hall). Get one-on-one expert guidance, demystify city regulations, and streamline your next project!

LATEST NEWS AND CITY EVENTS

• Today we announced the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Comprehensive Street Lighting Safety, Asset, and Modernization Assessment. This project represents a significant step in our commitment to public safety, infrastructure reliability, and its commitment to Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate fatal and serious-injury crashes on roadways. 
• We love our sports teams! We announced a new study this week that highlights that Portland’s four professional sports teams currently generate an estimated $110 million in total annual statewide economic output! That fan passion translates into local economic development, supporting 917 jobs statewide and driving significant hospitality and retail spending.
• The City Council’s Sustainability & Transportation Committee voted unanimously at its September 16 meeting to endorse the demonstration phase design for the Forest Avenue Redesign Project and authorize staff to move forward with implementation.
• Along with Portland Trails, we’re celebrating the grand opening of the Stroudwater Bridge with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at 1:30 PM! The bridge will allow Portland Trails to connect the Stroudwater River Trail with the Fore River Sanctuary, a longtime goal. 
• Last week Spurwink and the City announced a new partnership between Spurwink's Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and the City's Housing Opportunities for People in Encampments Program, creating a direct pathway to same-day behavioral health services and ongoing support for individuals experiencing homelessness as they transition into permanent housing.
• Our next FREE Infant/Child CPR and First Aid class for parents and caregivers is on September 24, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM. SPOTS ARE LIMITED; pre-registration is required! 
• We’re hosting the first-ever Waterfront Summit, September 29, 3 - 6 PM at Gulf of Maine Research Institute! Portland property owners, business owners, and all waterfront stakeholders are invited for a discussion on the future of our waterfront. 
• Join us Wednesday, September 30, at the Portland Museum of Art for A More Walkable Portland, a special presentation by Jeff Speck, renowned urban planner and author of Walkable City, the best-selling urban planning book of the 21st century. The event will feature a panel discussion on Portland in Motion, the City’s first comprehensive transportation plan in more than 30 years, and a conversation about a more walkable future for Portland. The event is free and open to the public; RSVPs are encouraged. Doors open at 6:30; program begins at 7 PM.
• Join us for a free, resource-packed Reiche Parent Cafe & Baby Fair on Thursday, October 22, 10 AM-11:30 AM, at the Reiche Community Center.

CITY SERVICES

• Yard Sign Update: The good news:  the "Slow Down, We Walk Here" signs were very popular. The bad news: we have run out! The State campaign isn't producing any more currently, but we are working on our own campaign and hope to have new yard signs to share soon. We'll share the info here when we have more available for residents.
• Save the date:  Our Public Works crews will be collecting leaf bags November 1-27, 2026. Please follow the curbside guidelines to help our Public Works team work efficiently and smoothly.
• You can now sign up to receive Cruise Ship Outbreak Alerts through our City Alerts! If the City is notified by the Maine CDC or Federal CDC about a docking cruise ship with an outbreak, anyone enrolled in this notification group will receive a message through our mass notification system. Sign up here; learn more about Tourism and Public Health.
• The mil rate for Fiscal Year 2027 has been set. Property owners will receive their tax bills in the mail very soon. They are available to view online now. The first half of property tax payments are due on October 16, 2026, and the second half is due on March 12, 2027. Residents can also drop off payments in our Tax Payment Box in the City Hall lobby, right next to the Greeter's Desk.
• In conjunction with the anniversaries of two deadly fires in Portland related to smoking materials, our Fire Department and Housing Safety Office are issuing an advisory to residents and landlords regarding the dangers of improper disposal of smoking materials.
• Landlords & tenants: Please note that the new allowable rent increase per the consumer price index (CPI) as part of the rent control ordinance has been published for calendar year 2027. We also published the new limit on non-owner occupied short-term rentals for units on the mainland for 2027.
• Absentee ballots can now be requested for the November 3 election. Request online through the State’s website, or learn other ways on our website. Ballots will be sent out once they are ready in October. Maine residents can now register to vote, update registration details, or change party status online. 

SHAPE YOUR CITY

• If you missed the Reimagining Franklin Street public meeting on September 10, there's still time to provide feedback on the Draft Street Concept Plan! Comments will be accepted through September 25. Visit the Reimagining Franklin Street website to find the plan, provide comments, and review background for the project.
• Take the Safe Streets for All 2026: Post Installation Survey! Greater Portland Council of Governments wants to hear your thoughts about the temporary safety improvement projects in place on Commercial Street in Portland.
• The City’s 2025-2026 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is available for review and comment. All interested persons are invited to submit written or verbal comments by September 21. This report, submitted annually to HUD, includes performance and evaluation measures concerning CDBG, HOME Investment Partnerships, and Emergency Solutions Grant programs.
• Take this quick community survey about the Portland Urban Forest Management Plan - now open until October 31, 2026.
   

COMMUNITY NEWS

• Creative Portland’s 6th Biennial Portland Arts & Culture Summit on September 22 is sold out! Request to join the waitlist.
• The 2nd annual Capisic Fall Festival will take place Saturday, September 26 at the Macy St. entrance of Capisic Pond Park from 2-5 PM.
• You’re invited to a Portland City Council Candidates Forum for the District 4 and 5 seats on October 14 at The Light Church.
• Portland Downtown has opened a new public restroom at 87 Center Street that is monitored by a front desk attendant and cleaned regularly by Portland Downtown ambassador staff. The restroom is available to the public seven days a week during normal business hours, with the goal of expanding hours as capacity allows.
• Bookmark our Park Events Calendar for a list of local events.
• Affordable Homeownership at Dougherty Commons & Lambert Co-op: One 3 Bedroom Condo and one 1 Bedroom Condo ready for move-in at Dougherty Commons, and 1 & 2 BRs available at Lambert Co-op, move-in April 2027. Visit their website or call Richard at 207-560-4883.
• 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. 

PUBLIC WORKS UPDATES

• A paving project is underway on High Street (Congress Square to Park Ave). Sections of High Street will be closed to traffic and detoured. Drivers should expect delays and avoid the area if possible. Final paving is expected to be complete mid-October, barring any unforeseen issues. This project is weather-dependent.
• Congress Square Project Update: The new substantial completion date for this project is October 31, 2026.
• Construction work is underway in and around City Hall's Ganley Plaza; City Hall will remain accessible for the entirety of the work. Read the full details about this project.
• Update: 2026 Ocean Ave Sidewalk Project
• Update: Union Branch Pathway Project
• Check the full 2026 Paving Projects list for the latest updates.
• In August, our Public Works team installed five speed humps along Ocean Avenue as part of our ongoing Vision Zero initiative. These traffic calming installations will help moderate vehicle speeds along the Ocean Avenue Elementary School walking route.⁠ Three speed humps were also installed in Payson Park, in partnership with our Parks Division as part of the Payson Park Traffic Calming Project.⁠ 
• We also implemented new traffic signal timings designed to enhance pedestrian safety along the Washington Avenue/Auburn Street corridor as part of our ongoing Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
• 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: Neighborhood Drainage and Sewer System Repairs 2025-2028. 

PARKS, RECREATION AND FACILITIES UPDATES

• First Light Common is coming soon!
• Read the latest updates in the August 2026 newsletter or subscribe. 
• Granite stair upgrades set to begin along Back Cove, work is projected to begin between late September and early October 2026.
• The next Park Ranger Hike Club will be September 26, 10 AM- 12 PM.
• The Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Recreation program brochure is here! Find it now on the Portland MyRec portal and in mailboxes soon. Many of our upcoming fall and winter programs are already live.
• After a 9-year hiatus, the Maine Climbing Competition returns this year in Deering Oaks Park on Sunday, September 27.
   

CITY STAFF & JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• We’re hiring! Learn more about the latest positions: Director, Housing & Economic Development and Housing Program Specialist. 
• We are also 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.

AGENDA PREVIEW: Portland City Council Meeting

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

When: Monday, September 21, 2026

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

Time: 5:00 PM

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Consent Items: Approval for the 35th Annual Maine Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay Festival on October 4, 2026, including road closure details.

Federal Funding & Grant Programs

- HUD Programs: Presentation of Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) detailing CDBG, ESG, and HOME accomplishments and expenditures.

- EPA Brownfields Grants: Acceptance and appropriation of $500,000 for assessment and $1,000,000 for cleanup from the EPA.

- CDBG Recommendations: Approval of task force recommendations for HUD 5-Year Consolidated Plan priorities and revisions to the CDBG allocation process.

Public Safety & Infrastructure
- Median Strip Ordinance: Referral of a proposed code amendment to prohibition of standing/sitting/staying on narrow or flush medians to improve pedestrian safety.

- York Street Bicycle Pedestrian Project: Approval of an updated partnership agreement with MaineDOT to cover design costs.

- Major Donations: Acceptance of an approximate $1,600,000 bequest from the estate of Dr. Seymour Becker for Portland Fire Department MEDCU training and equipment.

GET INVOLVED

Watch Live: Stream the meeting in our Agenda Portal.

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