City News Round Up: Friday, July 3, 2026 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• 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 June 15 City Council meeting. The next meeting is a special, double meeting on Monday, July 20, at 4 PM and 5:30 PM.

NEED TO KNOW

• Cooling Center Open Today The Troubh Ice Arena at 225 Park Avenue will serve as a cooling center from 10 AM to 5 PM today. 
• Holiday Closure - Happy Fourth! Portland City Hall and City offices will be closed today, Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. There is no change to Trash & Recycling collection. 
• Fireworks Display on the Eastern Prom: Find the full details for the City's fireworks display for the Fourth of July on Saturday, July 4, at the usual spot on the Eastern Promenade, with fireworks set to go off at approximately 9:15 PM. ⁠A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, July 5. 
• Consumer Fireworks Are Prohibited in the City of Portland, according to City Code Sec. 17-32. Fines of at least $200 apply to individuals intending to use fireworks within the city. 
• Forest Ave Reduced to One Lane for Emergency Sewer Repair (Avalon Rd to Allen Ave) Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10.

LATEST NEWS AND CITY EVENTS

• First Friday Art Walk is tonight! Download the map.
• Please join us to celebrate the official opening of the new Rising Eddy Community Pool on Monday, July 6. The festivities kick off at 1:00 PM and run through 6:00 PM, with a full afternoon of food trucks, games, and activities. Come and explore the new space! 
• The Rising Eddy Community Splash Pad opens today, Friday, July 3! Operating hours 9 AM- 8 PM.
• We're pleased to announce that we're in the process of being awarded a $2.12 million federal grant to support the Brighton Avenue Safety Demonstration Project, a data-driven initiative designed to improve safety for all road users along a critical one-mile segment of Brighton Avenue and further the City’s commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
• James A. Banks Expo Update: After identifying a budget gap, staff have temporarily paused the project to envision the future of this facility and will submit a CIP request in the 2028 cycle to secure the necessary funding. 
• First Light Commons Waterfront Park: The waterfront park, previously referred to as Portland Harbor Common, received its permanent moniker following a rigorous, multi-stage selection process heavily driven by community input. The chosen name, "First Light Commons," serves as a dual tribute:  honoring the rich heritage of the indigenous Wabanaki people (often translated as "People of the Dawn Land") and commemorating the historic significance of the Underground Railroad in the region. The park, which is under construction, is expected to open this fall.
• Congratulations to retiring City staff member, Rob Wiener, who has been recognized as a Greater Portland Landmarks 2026 Preservation Award Winner!
• Join the Park Rangers for complimentary freezer pops on National Freezer Pop Day, Wednesday, July 8!
• The next Coffee & Climate on Friday, July 10 will focus on Extreme Heat Resilience with the Maine CDC, 9- 10 AM. 
• Portland Landcare Lunch Break: Urban Tree Health Special guest Mark Reiland, our City arborist, joins us for the second webinar in the series on July 14, 12-1 PM. Mark will tell us about our urban trees, why they matter, and what we can do to protect them. Register to attend.
• Heads up! On Saturday, July 18, Cutter Street and ramp will be closed until 1:00 PM for the Peaks to Portland swim.

CITY SERVICES

• New Payment Option for Stormwater Customers We are offering a lower cost option to pay your stormwater invoice online. We will transition away from the current site, MyOnlineBill, during July; it will stop working on August 1, 2026. All auto-payment information stored on that site will be deleted. Customers can set up the auto-pay feature on the new self-service website.
• Parking Rates Increased July 1 City Council approved changes in the hourly parking rates and parking meter hours of operation as part of the recently approved Fiscal Year 2027 municipal budget. Learn about the full changes that go into effect on July 1, 2026.
• Portland Public Health launched a new Tourism and Public Health page.
• We’re seeking qualified partners interested in collaborating to operate a low-barrier winter warming shelter during the 2026-2027 season. 
• Job Creation Grants: Applications Now Open The City's Business Assistance Program for Job Creation (BAP) provides reimbursement-based matching grants of up to $20,000 to new and expanding for-profit Portland businesses. Apply by August 3, 2026.

VISION ZERO UPDATES

Portland has joined cities across the country and the world that are working toward a goal to reduce the number of severe crashes (fatalities and serious injuries) to zero. 

• The Council’s Sustainability & Transportation Committee meeting on July 8 will focus on pedestrian safety updates and action items City staff are working on to increase pedestrian safety and improve our transportation infrastructure. 
   
• Slow Down, We Walk Here. A new community-driven pedestrian safety campaign is running this summer in Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn to address the growing number of pedestrian fatalities and serious crashes across the state. Yard signs will be available soon! Please email info@portlandmaine.gov if you’d like one.
• We’re collaborating with GPCOG on another Safe Streets for All demonstration project on Commercial St. (Dana St to Franklin St). This work includes the installation of temporary road safety improvements to test functionality and gather public feedback before permanent changes are considered. Listen to this recent Let’s Connect podcast to learn more.
   

SHAPE YOUR CITY

• Shape Federal Funding Locally: Please take our community survey by September 15 to help guide how local housing and community development programs will run moving forward. Each year, the City receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These federal grants are crucial for local community development and housing initiatives.
• Portland in Motion: We're developing a new transportation plan, the first in over 30 years, and we hope you'll get involved! Please take 5-minutes to fill out the questionnaire to let us know what's working, what isn't, and what your big ideas are for our streets, sidewalks, and transit
• Help Us Improve Water Quality! Our City Water Resources staff are seeking public input to help identify opportunities for improving water quality at Dole Brook. You can help by participating in their online mapping tool. The area includes: Riverside Industrial Parkway, streets north of Forest Ave between Tucker and Eastwind, most of Plymouth St, PATHS, Delaware Court, Pennell Ave, and streets west of Washington Ave between Cypress and Riverside, including the Palmer Ave area.
   
• 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!
• We have one open seat on our Rent Board. Visit our Boards and Committees portal to learn more; applicants must live in District 5. Please direct additional questions to: rentboard@portlandmaine.gov. Contact the Portland City Clerk to apply: alombard@portlandmaine.gov, 207-756-8385.

COMMUNITY NEWS

• Third Wednesdays There’s a new street art activation program in the heart of the Arts District! Third Wednesdays happens next on July 15.
• Eastern Prom Concert Series Mark your calendar for "Thursdays on the Prom" - these free community concerts start July 9 and run through August 27, all at 6 PM. 
• Western Prom Summer Concerts Bookmark the schedule for Wednesday evening concerts returning soon! 
• A workforce housing unit at 60 Parris Street is available for sale by owner. Find more Portland housing information and resources.
• The Alpha Legal Foundation AmeriCorps Legal Access Navigator Program hosts free civil legal education workshops every Friday, 1-2 PM at the Portland Public Library. 

PUBLIC WORKS UPDATES

• Check the full 2026 Paving Projects list for the latest updates.
• New Update: The Commercial Street/Portland Fish Pier Storm Drain Improvements project begins Monday, July 6. Construction will be focused on the Fish Pier property from July through the end of September. Traffic impacts on Commercial Street are expected to be minimal for the first few months of the project until the work moves into the roadway in October. Learn more and sign up for updates.
• Licensed Commercial Waste Haulers: Reminder to residents and contractors that City Code requires the use of a City licensed waste hauler for all building renovations or construction projects. Hiring a licensed hauler ensures compliance with City Code regarding disposal methods. 
• Ongoing: Hersey St. Sewer Separation Project Ocean Ave reduced to a single lane as of April 20.
• Ongoing Neighborhood Drainage and Sewer System Repairs 2025-2028
   

PARKS, RECREATION AND FACILITIES UPDATES

• Please Check REC Calendars: Tracks and courts are shared spaces and a home base for many of our youth programs. To ensure you don't arrive during a closed session, please check the MyRec Calendar before your visit. 
• Find answers to all of your Rising Eddy Community Pool questions on our Know Before you Go webpage. Find ALL Splash Pad locations and details. 
• A Portland MyRec account is the key to all recreation programs in Portland, create your account today!
• Read the latest updates in the June 2026 newsletter or subscribe. 
• Safety Alert: Union Branch Multi-Use Pathway Under Construction. Please be aware that the Union Branch Path Trail is still an active construction site.
• Park Ranger Hike Club walks are every other Saturday in different locations throughout the city. The next is Saturday, July 11, meet at the Deering Oaks Ranger Castle at 10 AM.
• The Reiche Playground Renovation Project is now underway.
• Summer discount tickets are now available for Funtown Splashtown and Aquaboggan Water Park! 
• Summer Youth, Teen, Adult, and Family Programs have been added - visit Portland MyRec Programs to sign up! Tennis in the Parks registration is open: learn more about Youth sessions and Adult sessions in July.
• Registration is now open (through July 24) for Recreation PAYSA Youth Soccer. The fall season will take place in September and October, with games beginning on September 5. Find detailed information for each division.
• Join The Friends of Evergreen for historic one-hour walking tours this summer! View the schedule. Meet at the cemetery office, 672 Stevens Ave. Tours are $5 for ages 18 and over. 
• Sundays on the Boulevard: Baxter Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays only, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrians, and play through Sunday, September 27, 2026.⁠ 

CITY STAFF & JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Get to know our May Employee of the Month, Evan Schueckler! Evan is the Historic Preservation Manager in our Planning & Urban Development Department and is recognized for his dedication, passion for his work, and ability to always see the big picture. He has made an incredible impact on our city with significant improvements to the City’s Historic Preservation policies and program. 
• 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.