City of Portland Alerts

City News Round Up: Friday, May 29, 2026

City News Round Up: Friday, May 29, 2026 

Meetings & Agendas
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Council, Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings, and to view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings. Read a recap of the May 18 City Council meeting. The next meeting is Monday, June 1, at 5:00 PM, read the agenda preview at the end of this message. The vote on the FY27 budget will take place at this meeting, and public comment will be taken. 

Make New Friends at WestFest 2026 on May 30
Join the West End Neighborhood Association for WestFest 2026! Head to the Reiche Community Center (166 Brackett Street) from 10 AM-2 PM for a full day of live music, local food, games, activities, and community organizations! Due to weather, all activities will be inside, entrance to the Community Center is on Clark Street (Door 11).

Slow Down for Reiche School 5K on Sunday
Heads up for runners and road closures in the West End this Sunday, May 31, from 9-10AM. The course begins and ends at the Clark St entrance of Reiche School. Volunteers will be at all intersections wearing bright colored vests. 

Old Port Half Marathon is Next Weekend
The Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon & 5K returns to Portland on Saturday, June 6. Stay tuned to their website for road closures. 

Midtown Community Engagement Results - June 2 Presentation
Earlier this Spring we asked for community input—via survey and public meetings—regarding the potential sale of four City-owned parcels in the Bayside neighborhood. Join us Tuesday, June 2 at 5:30 PM for a presentation of the Midtown community engagement findings, during the Housing & Economic Development Committee meeting (held remotely via Zoom). Can't make the meeting? Read a summary of the results in the agenda packet.

“Coffee with a Cop” June 2 at Portland Public Library
The Police Department, in partnership with the Portland Public Library, will continue its series “Coffee with a Cop” on June 2 from 10:15–11:00 AM at the Library’s downtown branch. “Coffee with a Cop” brings officers and community members together, over coffee, to talk, ask questions, and get to know one another in an informal setting. For more information, please contact Jennifer Rogers at jrogers@portlandmaine.gov.

Take our Community Composting Survey by June 2
We want to hear your thoughts on Portland's Community Composting program! Please take a moment to complete this survey by June 2, 2026.

Help Us Celebrate Clean Water Week! June 7-13
We are getting ready to celebrate Clean Water Week, June 7-13! Established in 1983, the event recognizes the value, importance, and need to protect and conserve our water resources. Save the dates for these great events our Water Resources team is organizing with local organizations and please join us! 

Portland in Motion - June 11 Kickoff Open House
We're developing a new transportation plan, the first in over 30 years, and we hope you'll get involved! The plan, Portland in Motion, will establish a city-wide roadmap for how people and goods move through Portland over the next 20 years. Please join us at the first drop-in event on Thursday, June 11 from 4-6 PM at Portland Public Library’s Rines Auditorium (5 Monument Square). This is the first in a series of open houses to come.

Resurgam Music and Arts Festival June 13-14
The FREE and open to the public Resurgam Music and Arts Festival returns Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and June 14! Visit their website to become a volunteer, find the schedule and join the mailing list.

Portland Observatory Now Open for Season
The Portland Observatory is owned by the City and operated as an educational museum by Greater Portland Landmarks. Find their hours and guided tour offerings.

More Pedestrian Safety Efforts Unveiled – New Signage on Franklin Street and Pilot Project in Payson Park
We continue to enhance pedestrian safety through two recent and upcoming projects – new signage on Franklin Street and a new pilot project coming to Payson Park. These projects are a key component of the City's Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Share Your Thoughts About Road Safety on Commercial Street
We’re collaborating with GPCOG on another Safe Streets for All demonstration project. This work is part of our Vision Zero efforts and includes the installation of temporary road safety improvements to test functionality and gather public feedback before permanent changes are considered. In Portland, the demonstration project will be located on Commercial St from Dana St to Franklin St. GPCOG is gathering community sentiment about the existing conditions before the installations are put in place, please take the survey before it closes June 19.

Sidewalk Improvements Coming to Deering Oaks Park 
Starting in mid-June we'll be replacing the sidewalk along Tennis Court Road, the path between Deering Avenue and State Street. This work will make the park safer and easier for everyone to walk through! The construction will continue until sometime this fall, read the full project details.
 

In-Person Absentee Voting Underway for June 9 Election
In-person early absentee voting for the June 9, 2026 State Primary and Municipal School Budget Referendum is happening now in the State of Maine Room, adjacent to the City Clerk’s Office, on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. Regular hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The last day to in-person absentee vote is Thursday, June 4 (unless you have a special circumstance). For those who have requested their absentee ballot sent to them, those began going out in the mail on Friday, May 8. The Clerk’s Office will be open late, until 7PM, on June 4 only for voter registration and in-person absentee voting.⁠

Before and After the Bell Registration Opens Early June 2-4
Mark your calendars! Registration for the 2026-2027 Before and After the Bell Program is opening earlier than in previous years to ensure families have ample time to coordinate their plans for the upcoming Fall semester. The program follows the Portland Public School calendar and is available for students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade.

Meet Our April 2026 Employee of the Month
Congratulations to James Gakwavu, our April Employee of the Month! James works as a Shelter Security Guard in our Health and Human Services Department, Social Services Division. He is recognized for his exceptional customer service and positive attitude, his composure and professionalism in crisis, and his dignity and respect for all. Staff praise his dedication to his work and the positive impact he makes every day.

2026 Hummingbird Grant Recipient
We are happy to announce the second recipient of our annual Hummingbird Grant; congratulations to our 2026 awardee Azraa Mahmoud, founder of Luxe White Studio! The grant provides $1,000 each year to a Portland cosmetology business in honor of Shahnaz Mahager, made possible through a generous donation from Shahnaz’s family and friends. 

Workforce Housing Unit For Sale
A workforce housing unit at 60 Parris Street is available for sale by owner. Find more Portland housing information and resources.

Free Legal Education Workshops 
The Alpha Legal Foundation AmeriCorps Legal Access Navigator Program hosts free civil legal education workshops every Friday, 1-2PM at the Portland Public Library. 

Portland Bach Experience, May 28 - June 7
Join Classical Uprising as they present the 2026 Portland Bach Experience, a 10-day festival from May 28 to June 7, in Greater Portland, Yarmouth, and Brunswick. Find full details and tickets.

Upcoming Friends of Woodfords Corner Events
The Woodfords Community Garden Tour is Saturday, June 13, 1-4 PM, rain date is Sunday, June 14. Tickets on sale now! Tickets are by donation (suggested donation of $20/attendee). Pay what you can: less is fine; more is appreciated! We welcome ALL community members to join us, regardless of their ability to donate. Event proceeds will benefit the Friends of Woodfords Corner and the Locker Project at Ocean Ave Elementary School. 
 
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Design Survey
Take this public survey for the Gorham-Westbrook-Portland BRT Design Project and help Greater Portland METRO design bus rapid transit service between Gorham, Westbrook, and downtown Portland!

Do You Rent in Portland?
Find out if your rental unit is covered by Rent Control and what your past rent amounts have been. Check your rent information.

Infant/Child CPR Class Registration - June 11
Learn life-saving skills for infants and children (under age 8) from Portland Public Health's certified instructors. Free class offered June 11 from 4:30-6 PM for parents and caregivers. Spots are limited! Register by June 1, 2026.

Reiche Parent Cafe is BACK Through July
New and expecting parents are invited to Portland Public Health's free play group at Reiche Community Center. Caregivers of children ages 0-5 are invited! Let your children play while you connect with other caregivers.

Public Works Updates

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

We’re Hiring!
We are hiring across several departments, 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. Come make a difference with us! Our wellness benefits are award winning.
 

June 1 City Council Meeting - Agenda Preview
Visit our agenda portal to find the full meeting details. 


5:00 PM - Public comment period on non-agenda items

Announcements
Welcoming Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to Maine

Proclamations and 5 Consent Items (Public comment taken on Consent Items)
#37 Recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month
#38 Recognizing June 19, 2026 as Juneteenth
#39  Recognizing June 2026 as Immigrant Heritage Month

Municipal Budget Items - Orders #209- #221
City Council held a First Read/Public Hearing on the FY '27 Municipal Budget on May 18, 2026. The Second Read/Public Hearing on the Municipal Budget will be held at this Meeting, June 1, 2026 at 5PM.

Communications (No Public Comment, No Council Action)
#15 Green Building Code Exemptions Annual Report 2025-2026
#16 Vision Zero Update

Unfinished Business (Public Comment taken)
#139 Approving the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Tax (PILOT) Policy (Staff recommends postponing to June 15 meeting)
#223 Amending Order 161-25/26 To Ratify Fournier Amendment Three Re: Dougherty Field Lighting
#224 Amending Order 182-25/26 RE: Clarifying Retroactive Application of Dispersal Requirements for Large Theaters and Performance Halls
#225 Amendment to Portland City Code Chapter 28 RE: Tow Rates

Orders (All First Read only)

#231 Adopting Development Program for Portland Tourism Municipal Development District for FY '26-'27
#232 Establishing Implementation Assessments for Portland Tourism Municipal Development District for FY '26-'27
#233 Approving Development Program Manager Agreement between the City and Convention and Visitors' Bureau of Greater Portland, Doing Business as Visit Portland, for FY '26-'27
#234 Adopting Development Program for Portland Downtown for FY '26-'27
#235 Establishing Maintenance and Implementation Assessments for Portland Downtown for FY '26-'27
#236 Approving the Agreement between the City and Portland Downtown For FY '26-'27
#237 Appropriating Bond Proceeds for Riverton Pool Repairs
#238 Authorizing General Obligation Bonds to Finance Riverton Pool Repairs
#239 Accepting/Appropriating $8,000 Grant from State of Maine Permanent Commission on Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations
#240 Accepting/Appropriating $2,120,000 Federal Highway Administration Grant for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Improvements Along Brighton Avenue
#241 Accepting/Appropriating $90,000 Donation from Portland Parks Conservancy for Traffic Calming Efforts in Payson Park
#242 Accepting/Appropriating $21,664.20 Donation from Portland Parks Conservancy for Portland Youth Cops
#243 Accepting/Appropriating $20,895 from Portland Parks Conservancy for Improvements to North Deering Park

Past Alerts