City News Round Up: Friday, July 25, 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 July 14 City Council meeting. There is a Council Workshop on Monday, July 28. The next City Council meeting is a special double meeting on Monday, August 11, at 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM.

Now Underway: New Street Safety Project on Washington Ave.
We’re using roadway paint, flexible traffic posts, and speed bumps to temporarily redesign Washington Avenue from Veranda Street to Ocean Avenue. The goal: test improvements aimed at making the roads safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers—before committing to permanent infrastructure changes. Road crews began work this week and will be working until August 6th to install the temporary safety features in Portland on Washington Avenue from Veranda Street to Ocean Avenue. Read the full update.

Portland Sea Dogs To Host Japan Night on July 29
The Portland Sea Dogs will host Japan Night, presented by Japan Airlines, at Delta Dental Park at Hadlock Field on Tuesday, 7/29 at 6:00 PM. The night is a tribute to Horace Wilson, the Mainer, who introduced baseball to Japan. Portland Mayor Mark Dion will present remarks; the City of Portland also has a sister city relationship with Shinagawa, established in 1984. Find the full event details via the Portland Sea Dogs website.

Traffic Advisory: Back Cove Music Festival August 2-3
The Back Cove Music & Arts Festival will take place Saturday, 8/2 and Sunday, 8/3 at Payson Park in Portland. Neighborhood residents as well as concert goers, please be aware of the road closure information as well as access to other areas of Payson Park. Read the alert for full road closure details as well as parking, shuttles, general park access information, and FAQs.

Trash and Recycling Collection Reminders
Please remember all City trash bags and recycling carts must be curbside by 6:30 AM on your scheduled collection day. Please report any trash or recycling collection concerns using the City's 311/Report an Issue. This quickly creates a work order for us so we can get it collected. Thank you for helping us be efficient and provide this much needed service!   

Island Residents:  Reminder: Purple "Pay-As-You-Throw" City trash bags are required for curbside pickup and transfer station drop-off. Bags can be purchased at Casco Bay Lines Terminal ticket window or at various locations around the City. NEW for summer visitors - trash bags are no longer available for purchase on Peaks Island; please plan accordingly. Find the full list of City trash bag vendors on our website, which includes local grocery stores. 

New GPCOG Podcast: Hearts of Pine
Don't miss this great “Let's Connect” podcast with City staff and Portland Hearts of Pine founder, Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, for a conversation about placemaking, the power of public space, and why soccer plays such an important role in Maine’s most diverse neighborhoods.

City-Sponsored Affordable Condos at Dougherty Commons 
Maine Cooperative Development Partners is still taking applications on a first-come, first-served basis 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. 

Neighborhood Mini Grants, Apply by August 30th
Do you have an idea for a project to make your neighborhood more socially connected, sustainable, resilient, or inclusive? Do you need help covering the costs? The City of Portland’s Sustainability Office is currently accepting applications for our first round of Neighborhood Mini Grants until August 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.

York Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project
We held a public meeting last week with our design consultant, Wright-Pierce, to review the 50% design of the York Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvement Project. Learn more on the project page. 

Apply to Maine Community Bank's LaunchPad Competition
Maine Community Bank is accepting applications for its annual LaunchPad competition. One standout, up-and-coming startup will earn a $50,000 LaunchPad Grant, and another Emerging Business Award valued at $20,000. If you're building an innovative small business, check out the Judging Criteria and apply by Thursday, August 14 at 5 PM.

New Loans Available for Storefront Upgrades 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. Potential applicants may direct questions to Nancy Martin, Business Programs Manager: 207-756-8019 or nmartin@portlandmaine.gov.

Two Successful Social Services Programs Relaunched
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!

Portland Tree Canopy Project: Share Your Tree Story
This summer, the Portland Parks Conservancy is spotlighting local efforts to protect and expand the city’s urban canopy through weekly videos and an interactive map that highlights residents’ favorite trees and why they matter. Follow the Conservancy on social media to keep up with the project! Do you have a favorite tree or wooded area in Portland? Share your story to help grow the interactive map and celebrate what makes our urban canopy special, plus, you could win a free Conservancy hat!

Maine Philanthropy Center Announces New Grant Opportunity
The Maine Philanthropy Center launched a new initiative on July 9, offering grants of $15,000 to address the urgent and emerging needs of Maine’s nonprofit sector. Interested organizations can join an online info session on Tuesday, July 8, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The session will be recorded and posted on their website along with more information about the fund. Additional questions can be directed to responsefund@mainephilanthropy.org.

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. 

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• Compass Park Public Floats Closure: 7/26-8/3
• Now open! Riverton Community Courts at Talbot School
• Playground Work in Progress at Nathan Clifford School
• Reiche Pool is OPEN - join us for open swim!
• Read all the latest updates in the JUNE 2025 newsletter or subscribe.
• Summer Session registration is open for residents and non-residents.
• 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.
• We’re hiring for seasonal positions now!

Public Works Updates

• Visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for links to all the most recent DPW project updates. See all paving updates here.
• Traffic Advisory: Western Prom Project Resumes Monday, 7/21
• Weather permitting, our DPW staff will begin long line painting this Sunday night, the 13th. Please be patient and cautious of our workers in the street, and avoid the wet paint.
• Ongoing: Hersey St Sewer Separation Project + Deering Ave Sewer Extension
• Back Cove South Update: Finishing touches are being applied now and the public will soon be able to use the obstacle course equipment and fields!

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.