City News Round Up: Friday, September 5, 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 September 3 City Council meeting. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 15, at 5:00 PM.
 

Tonight is First Friday Art Walk! Download the map.

Hear Here: A Maine Music Weekend Festival, September 5-7
The inaugural Maine Music Weekend Festival is this weekend! Creative Portland is also proud to announce that Hear Here 3 is back in its third edition since the Pandemic shutdowns --celebrating and showcasing Portland's performing arts gems on the big stage at Merrill Auditorium this Sunday, 9/7 at 6:00 PM. Tickets are on sale NOW at PortTIX.
 

Historic Preservation Program Launches New Interactive Map Tool
Our Historic Preservation Program, in the Department of Planning & Urban Development, has launched a new interactive Historic Designations Mapper tool. This online tool allows users to quickly and easily look up whether properties are historically designated locally, and if they are, to quickly access historical information. Read the full map tool release.

Riverside Shelter & TB Misinformation
Reports of a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak at one of our shelters is false. The Maine CDC has confirmed with City staff that it has not suggested any changed protocols for the shelter on Riverside Industrial Parkway, and is not aware of any TB outbreak at the shelter at this time. Additional More information can be found on the Maine CDC website as they have the mandate for epidemiological surveillance and outbreak response. 

Congress Square Reconstruction Work Begins September 15
The Congress Square Intersection reconstruction work is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 15. The public should expect traffic delays during construction. This project includes mill and overlay of the intersection, sidewalk and ADA improvements, installation of new traffic signal infrastructure, and lighting and landscaping improvements within the Congress Square intersection. Read the full traffic details and project timeline.

New 2026 Allowable Rent Increases and Short-Term Rental Regulations
Landlords and tenants should be aware 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 2026. Postcards are being mailed to all registered long-term rental units in the city. The City has also published the new limit on non-owner occupied short-term rentals for units on the mainland for 2026. Read the full update.

Mil Rate Set for Fiscal Year 2026
The Revaluation Project is now complete and as such the mil rate for Fiscal Year 2026 has been set. The new mil rate will be $11.98 per thousand dollars of assessed value, a decrease of more than 25% from the projected FY26 mil rate prior to any revaluation. Read our full update to learn more. Property owners will receive their tax bills in the mail in mid-September. The first half of property tax payments are due on October 17, 2025 and the second half is due on March 20, 2026. Property tax bills can be viewed and paid online.

Request Your Absentee Ballot for the November Election
Absentee ballots can now be requested online for the November 4, 2025 State Referendum and General municipal election. To learn more about other ways to request your ballot, please visit our Absentee Voting Information webpage. Ballots will be sent out once they are ready in October. 

Ribbon Cutting: Back Cove South Storage Facility + Preble Field
This morning we hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Back Cove South Storage Facility and Preble Field at Back Cove Park! The project, which has been a collaborative effort, was designed to improve both the city's infrastructure and public green spaces. 

Portland Water Department Launches Major Meter Replacement Project
We want to make sure you’re aware of recent news from the Portland Water Department (PWD). Beginning this fall, PWD will launch a three-year effort to replace nearly all 55,000 water meters across their service area with new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology. The new system will improve accuracy, enhance customer service, and allow customers to better track and manage their water use. Customers are being alerted and can learn more on the PWD website.

Congratulations to our Summer Employees of the Month
Get to know our June and July Employees of the Month! John LeGassey works in the Department of Public Works (DPW), and Benjamin Wells, works in our Information Technology (IT) Department. Read each of their full recognitions on our website. 

Our Work to Revitalize Downtown
Like cities across the country, Portland faces complex challenges. Remote work, among other things, has reduced the number of downtown workers and left more storefronts vacant. Housing shortages, inadequate funding for mental health and substance use treatment, and the lingering impacts of the opioid epidemic are driving more people into homelessness. These are long-term issues that demand new ideas and sustained effort.

Each resident, worker, and visitor deserves a city center that reflects the best of who we are: welcoming, dynamic, creative, and full of possibility. That’s why we’re working with partners from the business, social services, and creative arts communities to bring out the best in downtown Portland. Discover how our efforts to revitalize downtown will help reinvigorate where we gather, play, and work together.

Upcoming Re-Forest the City Events
Join the West End Neighborhood Association on Tuesday, 9/9 at 6:30 PM, for the next Tree Talk focused on Small Tree Care & Mulching at the Reiche Community Room on Clark Street (Door 11). Save these dates for more fall events: 

Oct 7 (Tree Walk), Oct 21, Oct 28 (Film). Learn more about Re-Forest the City on their website.

Coffee & Climate, Emergency Preparedness
Happy Emergency Preparedness Month! Join us next week on Friday, 9/12 at 9:00 AM for a discussion with speakers from the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, South Portland Public Library, and Age Friendly South Portland. Learn more and register.

Third Annual Tree Hugging Event
Celebrate our urban canopy at the "For the Love of Trees" event on Friday, September 13. This all-day tree-hugging event, organized by the City Park Rangers and co-sponsored by the Bayside Neighborhood Association and the Friends of Deering Oaks Park, offers a variety of ways to connect with nature, from family-friendly activities to guided and self-guided walks, and musical performances.

Age-Friendly Portland: Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults
September is National Preparedness Month! Age-Friendly Portland is hosting a summit on Thursday, 9/18, to help you both feel prepared for, and know how to respond to, emergencies. Learn from experts about the support and resources available for older adults in our community and develop critical skills. Spots are limited, learn more and register today!

Celebrate Park(ing) Day With Us!
Portland will join global cities in transforming parking spaces into vibrant pop-up parks on Friday, 9/19, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM! This event, organized by the City of Portland Sustainability Office, transforms metered spots into playful, interactive parklets for a day of connection, creativity, and fun. Join us to explore the parklets downtown Portland or claim your very own Park(ing) Spot here.  

Portland Opportunity Crew Summer Update
Since relaunching in June, the Portland Opportunity Crew has removed TWO tons of litter from parks, trails, and other public areas to keep these spaces enjoyable for our community! ⁠This program keeps our city clean and beautiful while also empowering Homeless Services Center guests with paid work opportunities, hands-on job training, and employment support. Donations and sponsorships help us offer this program to more participants and run it on more days.
In Action: New Street Safety Project on Washington Ave.
New roadway paint, flexible traffic posts, and speed bumps have been added temporarily to 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. Read the full update and share feedback here.

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• The playground at Nathan Clifford is officially open! Read the latest updates in the AUGUST 2025 newsletter or subscribe. 
• Portland Youth Corps Fall Applications Now Open - Apply by 9/12.
• Riverton Pool Update: Over the course of the ongoing reconstruction project, our staff learned that additional work will be required prior to completion. They are working to solve this new challenge and taking other steps to expedite the project. Completion is now expected in 2026, and unfortunately, the pool will not be available for the winter season this year. Staff will share updates on the Aquatics webpage. 
• Our Recreation team is hiring! Help us provide programs and safe, fun childcare experiences for our community. Learn more and apply! Current openings: Recreation Supervisor; Recreation Programmer II - After School; Childcare Site Staff; Recreation Programmer II; Childcare Site Staff - After School; Childcare Site Staff - Before School.
• Athletic Field Allocation Process: Read updates for the 2026 calendar year.
• Reiche Pool is OPEN - join us for open swim.
• Sundays on the Boulevard: Now through 9/28, 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! 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. 
• Check here for September paving projects.
• 8/8 Update: Western Prom Project Resumed Monday, 7/21
• Ongoing: Hersey St Sewer Separation Project + Deering Ave Sewer Extension
• Pesticide Disposal Resources Bring unwanted pesticides to a collection site in Portland; pre-register by 9/26 for free collection.

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: Housing Program Manager. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning.

Be the Next Harbor Master!
The Board of Harbor Commissioners for Portland Harbor is seeking a knowledgeable, dedicated, and community-oriented individual to serve as The Portland Harbor Master. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible operation of Portland Harbor. Learn more and apply.