City News Round Up: Friday, June 20, 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. View the agenda. The FY26 municipal budget will be voted on during this meeting. Public comment will be taken.

Traffic Alert: Pride Portland Parade & Festival this Saturday, June 21

The Pride Portland parade and festival will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 1:30 PM. The parade starts at Monument Square and moves down Congress Street, High Street, and Park Avenue, followed by a festival at Deering Oaks Park from 1:30 PM to 7:00 PM, featuring music, speakers, food trucks, vendors, and a beer garden. Read additional information on road closures. City of Portland staff and officials will be marching in the parade again - look for us in the second spot this year!

First Annual East Bayside Trail Fest this Sunday!
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 this 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.

Paving Updates: 

• Canco Road Paving - Paving on Canco Road will begin overnight on Sunday, June 22, through Monday morning, June 23. For more information
• Road Work on Congress Street - Coastal Road Repair will begin shimming Congress Street from Deering Avenue to State Street on Monday, June 23, starting at 6 PM and continuing through Tuesday, June 24, until 6:30 AM. Please note that there will be no parking along this entire section during these hours. Traffic will be directed in one alternating direction. Thank you for your understanding. Vehicles should avoid the area if possible and should expect traffic delays.

Upcoming Community Design Workshops for Reimagining Franklin Street 

We hope you will join us for one of two community design workshops we’re hosting for the Reimagining Franklin Street project from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26, at the downtown Main Branch of the Portland Library, in the Rines Auditorium (5 Monument Square). Read the full details. 

Support Symphony Music at the July 4th Prom Concert

For the second year, Casco Bay Wind Symphony will perform at the City’s 4th of July celebration on the Eastern Promenade. The musicians volunteer their time, and the ensemble is calling on the community to help raise money to cover the cost of essential lighting and sound equipment for the event. Learn more and donate.

Portland Relaunches Two Successful Social Services Programs

We’re proud to announce the return of two successful social services programs it runs that assist the clients it works with. The Helping Individuals Regain Employment (HIRE) program and the Portland Opportunity Crew (POC) both work to empower General Assistance (GA) and shelter clients, enhance the Portland community, and foster good neighbors. Read the full story. Donations to support the Opportunity Crew are always welcome!

New Loans Available for Storefront Upgrades in Downtown Portland

The City Council recently 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 25 and July 8. Find the full details and register here.

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.

City-Sponsored Affordable Condos at Dougherty Commons 

Maine Cooperative Development Partners is proud to announce that applications opened June 18 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 are open through July 7, or until the first 200 applications are made. 

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.

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• Summer Session Registration began 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.
• Read all the latest updates in their MAY 2025 newsletter or subscribe.
• We’re hiring for seasonal positions now! 
• 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! 
• Dive into Summer Savings! Get ready for some serious fun under the sun without breaking the bank! Our 2025 Summer Discount Ticket Program is here to help you save on your favorite local attractions.

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 Started Tuesday, 5/27         
• Deering Ave Sewer Extension, 5/20-5/30, Pitt Street Closure
• Read a Back Cove South Update. Finishing touches are being applied now. The fields will not be open until next Spring to allow time for the grass to grow.
• 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: Senior Accountant, Certified Code Enforcement Officer/Housing Safety, Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher). Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning.