City News Round Up: Friday, May 24, 024

Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the May 20 City Council meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The next City Council meeting is Monday, June 3 (this meeting includes action on the municipal budget.)

May 27: Memorial Day Holiday - City Hall Closed and Deering Center Parade
Portland City Hall and City offices will be closed on Monday, 5/27 in observance of Memorial Day. There is no change to trash and recycling collection. Riverside Recycling will be closed on Saturday, 5/25 as well as Monday, 5/27.

Mayor Dion will be the keynote speaker at the Deering Center Memorial Day Procession & Commemoration at 2:00 PM on Stevens Avenue in front of Longfellow School. The Deering Center parade takes the place of the downtown parade this year.  

City Celebrates Graduation of the 2024 Natural Helpers Cohort
Our Office of Economic Opportunity is honored to announce the graduation of its fourth cohort of the Natural Helpers program. Ten individuals, representing seven countries of origin, from Angola to Peru to the USA, and cities from Portland to Lewiston to Westbrook, successfully completed four robust months of leadership and advocacy community training and self-development courses. Read the full story here.

May 29: City Hosts New England Brownfields Summit
Mayor Mark Dion will deliver opening remarks to kick off the 2024 Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association two-day summit on Wednesday, 5/29, at 9:30 AM at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. The event is organized to advance understanding of State and Federal Brownfields programs. Providing loans and grants to investigate and clean up environmental contamination is just one of the ways our economic development programs work to invest in Portland’s community. Read the full story on our website here. 

Temporary Art Storymap Now Available
Our Planning & Urban Development Department does more than planning - they also support Portland's thriving arts scene. The Temporary Art Program, under the Public Art Committee, reviews and permits temporary art projects on public land in Portland. Take a look at the Temporary Art Storymap now available to explore current and past temporary art projects!

June 1: Community Volunteer Day, Libbytown Community Garden
Volunteers needed! Help fill the raised garden beds with new, clean soil and spread mulch at the Libbytown Garden (175 Douglass Street) on Saturday, June 1, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. All are welcome! This is a drop-in event; food and drinks will be provided. Learn more. 

City Celebrates Clean Water Week, June 2-8
Our Water Resources team is excited to announce a roster of public events in celebration of Clean Water Week, June 2-8, 2024. Water Resources staff and local partners have organized clean-up events, educational tours, and volunteer opportunities to recognize and celebrate clean water in Portland. The public is invited to join and learn more about what they can do to help keep our waters clean! Learn more. 

June 4 + 5: Planning Department To Host ReCode Drop In Events
Join our Planning and Urban Development Department for ReCode Studio: an opportunity to learn more and provide input on proposed changes to the land use code and zoning map. These drop-in events will be held Tuesday, June 4, 11:00 AM to 6: 00 PM, and Wednesday, June 5, 8: 00 AM to 2:00 PM at 1 Canal Plaza. Please visit www.recodeportland.me to learn more.

City To Host Walk the Working Waterfront on June 8
Now in its 9th year, this annual event welcomes visitors to explore the protected piers and wharves of Portland’s historic waterfront, engage with the marine community, sample seafood, tour commercial vessels, and more! The 2024 event takes place Saturday, June 8, 12:00-3:30 PM. Look for the orange flags on Commercial Street to grab a map at an information station! Visit the website for full details. 

Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon & 5K, Saturday, June 8
The Old Port Half Marathon & 5K returns to Portland on Saturday, June 8. Please be aware that starting at 2:00 AM various streets will be closed in the Old Port area, emergency no-parking zones will go into effect, and passengers on the Casco Bay Ferry Lines will be impacted. For the full road closure information, please visit their website here.

June 9: Resurgam Music and Arts Festival at Ocean Gateway
Don't miss this FREE and open to the public multi-stage music festival on Saturday, 6/9,  Noon to 7:00 PM, at Ocean Gateway on Commercial Street! Presented by Maine Academy of Modern Music, the day will showcase Portland’s creativity and youth. In addition to lots of music, including headliners, Oshima Brothers, there will also be vendors, food, and drinks. 

June 11: ReForest the City Tree Talk 
Join the West End Neighborhood Association Tuesday, 6/11 at 6:30 PM, in the Reiche School Community Room, for their final "Tree Talk" of the year focused on Portland's Street Trees. Learn about joining our efforts to help newly planted street trees survive their first years, and how to get involved in tree well maintenance and neighborhood beautification.

In-Person Absentee Voting Now Through June 6: State of Maine Primary
In-person absentee voting for the June 11, 2024 State of Maine Primary Election & School Budget Referendum started Tuesday, May 14 in the State of Maine Room, on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. Regular hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Previously requested mail absentee ballots began going out in the mail the week of May 13. The last day to in-person absentee vote is Thursday, June 6, unless you have a special circumstance. The Clerk’s Office will be open until 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 6th only for voter registration and in-person absentee voting. Read the full election update here. 

May 2024 Portland Bike Month
The Portland City Council proclaimed May 2024 Portland Bike Month at its May 6 City Council meeting. The proclamation recites the many tangible benefits bicycling brings to Portland and those who bicycle. Read the full proclamation and find other great resources about bicycling in Portland at portlandmaine.gov/BikeMonth. 

6/19: Free Webinar, Business Bank Loan Application Tips
Join this free lunchtime webinar hosted by SCORE Maine, 12:00 PM on Wednesday, 6/19, to learn about the necessary documents and information required for a successful business loan application. Learn effective strategies to  organize your financial documentation and craft a compelling case that resonates with lenders. 

𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕒𝕣𝕕, May 5 - September 29
Beginning this Sunday, May 5, through Sunday, September 29, 2024, Baxter Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic Sundays only, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrian traffic + play! This year Sundays on the Boulevard runs. Street details: Baxter Boulevard closed to traffic from Vannah Ave. to Catafalque Dr. (Payson Park east entrance). Payson Park, west entrance road - from the tip of the Grass Triangle (by the softball field) to Baxter Boulevard.

Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates
Read all the latest updates on programs and more in their April 2024 newsletter. Riverton Pool Update:  Funding for the pool repair project was approved by the City Council in March 2024 and the project is expected to be complete in June 2025. Please visit the Aquatics webpage for programs and updates. 

We’re Hiring!
We are hiring across several departments in the city, offering a variety of open positions including healthcare roles (RNs/CNAs), trades workers, before + afterschool counselors, 911 dispatchers, community health workers, and more> Connect with our city recruiter to learn more, or apply today. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning!

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects
Visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for links to all the most recent DPW project updates. See all paving updates here.

New: NEUCO/Unitil Night Work on Congress Street
Night work (7:00 PM-7:00 AM) is now required on Congress St, from Bradley St to Massachusetts Ave, on the following dates: 5/20-24 and 6/3-21.

Warren Avenue, Hicks to Hemingway Streets
Gorham Sand & Gravel resumes construction this week on Warren Avenue from Hicks to Hemingway Streets; we anticipate the project will be completed towards the end of June. Read the full details. 

Update: Sagamore Village Green Infrastructure Project
Starting the week of 4/28 the contractor will return to complete final landscape restorations and improvements over the next 2 months. Read the full update.

4/15-6/15: NEUCO/Unitil Gas Line Upgrades, Forest Ave + Congress St
Work replacing gas mains and service lines in Portland started 4/15 and is expected to last two months. Forest Avenue, from 845 Forest Ave to Belmont St. AND Congress Street, from Stevens Ave to Douglas St. Please direct questions to Bob Schnopp at (207) 653-2808 or rschnopp@neuco-inc.com.