City News Round Up: Friday, June 6, 2025
 

Meetings & Agendas
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings, and to view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings. Read a recap of the June 2 City Council meeting. The next City Council meeting is Monday, June 23. There is a Council workshop on Monday, June 9 to discuss rent control. 

Tonight is First Friday Art Walk! Download the map.

Upcoming Closures

• The City Clerk and Treasury offices will be closed on Thursday, June 12 from 8:00 AM to 10:15 AM, for a staff event. 
• Portland City Hall and city offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance and recognition of Juneteenth. There is no change to trash/recycling collection.

Street Closures: Old Port Half Marathon & 5K, Saturday, June 7
The Old Port Half Marathon & 5K returns to Portland on Saturday, 6/7. 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. Find the full road closure details.

6/8: Resurgam Music and Arts Festival at Ocean Gateway
The FREE and open to the public Resurgam Music and Arts Festival is returning for its fourth year on Sunday, 6/8, Noon to 7:00 PM, at Ocean Gateway on Commercial Street! MAMM is partnering with the City and local community businesses to offer this one-day music and arts event at Ocean Gateway and the surrounding areas.

Go Vote Tuesday, June 10: Special Municipal Election
Election Day for the Special Municipal Election is Tuesday, June 10, 2025. View a sample ballot. 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.

New Loans Available for Storefront Upgrades in Downtown Portland
At the Monday, 6/2 City Council meeting, the City Council approved the Portland Development Corporation’s recommendation to create a new interest-free loan product designed to support investment in storefronts located in Downtown Portland. Interest-free loans of up to $20,000 are available to property owners and leaseholders in the Downtown TOD TIF District to finance upgrades to existing commercial properties with visible storefronts. View the map and read the full update.
 

New Healthy Homes Smoke-Free Incentive Program
Our Public Health Division has launched the Healthy Homes Smoke-Free Incentive Program, a new initiative designed to help landlords and rental property owners implement smoke-free policies in multi-unit housing. This limited-time program, funded by the Maine Prevention Network, offers significant benefits for both property owners and tenants by promoting healthier living environments and reducing property costs. Visit the program application to learn more!  

Upcoming Sustainability Events
Join our Sustainability team for their Landcare Lunch Break Series on June 11+25, and July 8. Find the full details and register here. On Friday, 6/13, join their next Coffee + Climate chat at 9:00 AM. Learn how both Portland and South Portland are managing stormwater programs, from urban runoff to water quality and flood control, and what you need to know related to stormwater management and climate resilience. 

Reimagining Franklin Street - June Public Workshops
Save the dates! The Reimagining Franklin Street project team will be holding a 2-day design workshop on Wednesday + Thursday, 6/25+26, at the Downtown Portland Library, in the Rines Auditorium (5 Monument Square). A public workshop will take place each day, 4:30-6:30 PM. The 6/25 workshop invites attendees to share ideas and priorities for a new street design and land use plan through interactive activities. The 6/26 workshop offers attendees a chance to see our street design work in progress and provide important input on its direction. Additional ways to engage will be announced soon! Visit the project website for more information.

Portland Celebrates 46th Year as a Tree City USA 
Parks Director Alex Marshall and City Arborist Mark Reiland proudly represented Portland at the Maine Forest Service's annual Arbor Week Celebration in late May to accept the Tree City USA certificate, a testament to Portland's dedication to sustainable tree management. This is the 46th consecutive year we have earned the Tree City USA designation, highlighting our ongoing commitment to a healthy and vibrant urban forest.

Clean Water Week June 1-7
This week, we have been celebrating Clean Water Week! Our Water Resources team has been working to spread the word about the importance of clean water and those doing their part in keeping our local waters clean. Please note: Today's Back Cove Water Resource Management Tour (4 PM) has been canceled due to the pending rain. If the tour can be rescheduled, we'll share the info here.

6/22: East Bayside Trail Fest
Support Portland Trails and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine at this first annual, one-of-a-kind event in the heart of the East Bayside neighborhood on Sunday, June 22. A collaboration between nonprofit organizations and local businesses, the East Bayside Trail Fest consists of three events: the Trail to Ale 10K, the Bayside Ride, and the Trail Mix Two-Miler. The events will be staggered throughout the morning and culminate in a community celebration on Diamond Street.

Natural Helpers 2025 Cohort Celebrates Graduation
Our Office of Economic Opportunity was proud to celebrate the graduation of 13 fellows from the 2025 Natural Helpers program with Mayor Mark Dion last weekend! These trusted community leaders spent four months learning about local resources- from healthcare to state policy- while receiving mentorship, volunteering, and earning a leadership certificate from USM. They each aimed to impact five people and teach ten, and have far exceeded those goals. 

City-Sponsored Affordable Condos at Dougherty Commons 
Maine Cooperative Development Partners is proud to announce that applications will open June 18, 2025, for 20 new affordable condominium homes at Dougherty Commons, located at 57 & 65 Dougherty Court in Portland, Maine. This high-quality housing opportunity offers energy-efficient, zero energy ready homes at prices accessible to working Mainers earning up to 100% of Area Median Income. Applications will be open through July 7, or until the first 200 applications are made. 

UPDATED Request For Proposals - Additional Funding, Affordable Housing
The City and Cumberland County HOME Consortium has received $2,041,266.00 in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan to address homelessness and housing instability. These HOME-ARP funds will support the development of affordable rental housing for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We’re excited to announce an updated Request for Proposals for projects that will create safe, stable, and affordable homes for those who need them most. We invite developers, nonprofits, and other eligible applicants to apply! Visit our HOME-ARP website to learn more.

Great Progress on Portland's New Outdoor Community Pool!
The Portland Parks Conservancy's campaign to help build a replacement for the Kiwanis Pool crossed the $1 million mark earlier this month! Less than $160,000 remains to reach the finish line. Learn more and donate here. A groundbreaking event was held on Thursday, June 5, to mark the milestone. The new pool is expected to open next June!

Revaluation Notices Distributed to Portland Property Owners
Our Assessor's Office has distributed revaluation notices to property owners. Property owners can review their new values online.

New property values will be used for the Fiscal Year 2026 tax bills, expected in early September. Please note that the tax/mill rate will likely be adjusted downward due to the overall increase in taxable value. The revaluation does not generate additional revenue for the City; it redistributes the tax burden based on current property values. The tax levy will not be set until the City Council approves the FY26 budget at its June 23 meeting.

Planning Department Updates

• The 2024 City of Portland Housing Report has been released and shows strong housing production in 2024, building on similar success in 2023. There have been more housing units produced in the last two years in Portland than in any year in the prior decade. Read the 2024 report and past reports here.

• Take Our Survey! Reimagining Franklin Street

Visit reimaginingfranklin.me to review the materials from the April 17 Open House, take our new survey, and sign up for the project updates mailing list.

• “Winged Kelp” Temporary Art Coming Soon to City Hall
  On March 25, 2025, a Temporary Art Review Panel approved a new TEMPOart commission - “Winged Kelp." This installation will be coming to City Hall in June with an opening reception planned for June 12. Artist Gillian Christy hopes to encourage us to think about Maine’s environment and the essential role seaweed plays in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

First Hummingbird Grant Recipient Announced
Congratulations to Zagon Beauty, owned by Darious Zagon, the first recipient of our inaugural Hummingbird Grant! This new grant will provide $1,000 each year to a Portland cosmetology business in honor of Shahnaz Mahager, an immigrant entrepreneur. The grant is made possible through a generous donation from Shahnaz's family and friends.

New Ventures Maine - Summer Business Assistance Classes
Learn more about these online classes covering a variety of business-related topics from New Ventures Maine, including their 8-week hybrid summer "Venturing Forth" covering how to start a new business.

City Elder Affairs, Adult Day Program - Openings Now Available
Our Office of Elder Affairs provides a much-needed respite for family caregivers by providing safe daytime supervision and care to older adults with cognitive and physical health challenges. Now accepting new clients! Learn more about how this program can support you and your loved one by calling 207-541-6619 or find more details on our website.

New Pine Tree License Plates Replace Chickadee Plate
As of May 1, the new Pine Tree/ No-Tree plates are being distributed. Chickadee plates will no longer be issued. Plate exchanges with the NEW design will occur during your normal registration time frame. You do not need to come in before your registration is due. If you have questions, please visit the Secretary of State’s website or email them at platereserve.bmv@maine.gov. 

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• Summer Session Registration opens Monday, 6/9 for residents, and 6/16 for non-residents.
• New Parks Youth Mentoring Program Thanks to Grant Funding 
• Payson Park Courts: New SmartAccess System Started June 2
• Read about our sustainable solution for EAB-affected trees.
• Party in the Park on June 18: The Parks Commission is holding the annual community gathering, Party in the Park, on June 18 at Payson Park from 4:30-6:00 PM. There will be music, food trucks, and a variety of activities for community members. Several community groups will have tables to share information with attendees, and we’d be happy to host interested park Friends Groups. Please email Commissioner Donna Gartland at donnagartland@gmail.com.
• Read all the latest updates in their MAY 2025 newsletter or subscribe. We’re hiring for seasonal positions now!
• Closed Courts: As of Monday, 4/21, the basketball courts at Lyman Moore School and the tennis courts at Talbot School are currently closed for renovations until the end of June. 
• Sundays on the Boulevard:  now through September 28, Baxter Boulevard is closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays only, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrian traffic, and play!

Public Works Updates

• Visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for links to all the most recent DPW project updates. See all paving updates here.
• Hersey St Sewer Separation Project, Clifton St. Road Closure Starts Tuesday, 5/27         
• Deering Ave Sewer Extension, 5/20-5/30, Pitt Street Closure
• Read a Back Cove South Update.
• Survey Time: GPCOG Road Safety Improvement Projects: The Greater Portland Council of Governments is launching a series of low-cost demonstration road safety improvement projects in key areas identified through the Vision Zero Greater Portland action plan and needs your input. Take their survey! The project will include temporary installations that aim to improve pedestrian crossing safety, limit unsafe maneuvers, and reduce vehicle speeds in key high-risk areas. 

We’re Hiring!
We are hiring across several departments in the city, 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. Recently posted: Payroll Manager, Certified Code Enforcement Officer/Housing Safety, Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher). Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning.