City News Round Up: Friday, March 7, 2025

Meetings & Agendas
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the March 3 City Council meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The next City Council meeting is Monday, March 17, at 5:00 PM.

Tonight is First Friday Artwalk! Learn more and download the map. 
And don’t forget that Greater Portland artists are invited to submit work for consideration for Creative Portland's 8th juried show, “Acceptance”, which will hang for one year (May 2025 - April 2026) at the 84 Free Street gallery space. Artists are invited to submit work here (up to three pieces) for consideration by March 10. 

City Urges Public To Follow Important Safety Tips When Traveling
This week we joined Portland Police and AAA in urging motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists to please exercise caution when traveling and to remember these safety tips as they are crucial to ensuring the well-being of the traveling public. Given a recent rise in crashes involving pedestrians in Portland, please take the time to refresh your knowledge and share to help us keep our community safe.

CDBG Allocation Committee Recommendations
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Allocation Committee, a City Council appointed group of Portland residents, has read and scored each CDBG Application submitted this year. Read the recommendations here. The rankings are forwarded to the City Manager and City Council, who will make the final determination of awards following the public comment sessions on April 28 and May 5. Please direct questions to: cdbg@portlandmaine.gov.

Forest Avenue Redesign Project: Executive Summary Now Available
Visit the project page to read the Executive Summary which includes an overview of the process and findings of the project. Recommendations and Next Steps are also available, these incorporate the input that was received from the public meeting and survey in November 2024. Download the Executive Summary and a compilation of the project background materials, found in the appendices.

Nathan Clifford School Playground Demolition
The demolition of the old playground at Nathan Clifford School began this week. Once completed, there will not be a playground for the next few months. Our Parks Division will repurpose the playground from the Kiwanis Pool location and install it to Nathan Clifford once the crew can schedule the work. Installation of the repurposed playground will likely take a few days, up to a week to complete. 

New Applicant Tools for Permitting & Inspections Process
Our Permitting & Inspections team has created new tools to help navigate the permitting process. Visit portlandmaine.gov/permitting to view workflow charts to help applicants learn the process for both Residential and Commercial Building Permits. A new video has also been created to guide customers through creating a Citizen Self Service (CSS) account; a CSS account is necessary to apply for any permits.⁠

Updated Building Codes Go Into Effect in Portland on April 7
The 2021 International Code Council (ICC) editions with Maine Uniform Building Code (MUBEC) amendments will go into effect in Portland on April 7, 2025. This will affect new residential and commercial construction, as well as additions to and alterations of existing structures. Read the full update on the new building code to learn more.
 

Read the Recommended FY26 Capital Improvement Plan
The City Council’s Finance Committee is currently reviewing the City Manager’s Recommended FY26 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP presents the City’s capital needs in the current year and plans for capital needs in future years. The Finance Committee is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on the CIP plan at its March 13 meeting. Following the Committee process, the recommended CIP budget will be sent to the City Council for consideration and adoption in April. 

Electrify Everything! E-Bike Incentive, Enter By 3/12
The Electrify Bikes Program is back! Starting today through Wednesday, 3/12, Portland residents can enter a random drawing to receive a 60% off certificate for a standard electric bike or cargo bike. Individuals must meet income and program eligibility requirements to qualify. Read the full details and register for the drawing on our website. After a period of at least two weeks, staff will randomly select registrants to participate in the program. 

3/14: Property Taxes Due
The second portion of property taxes are due March 14, 2025. Tax bills can be viewed and paid on our website. 

3/14: Coffee & Climate, Maine's Energy Plan
Join the chat on Friday, March 14 at 9 AM to learn more about the recently released State Energy Plan and the Governor’s clean energy goals from Dan Burgess, Director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office. Register here. 

3/16: Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The Irish American Club will have a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16 beginning at 12:00 PM. The parade route goes along Commercial Street in Portland from the Fish Pier to Bell Buoy Park, near the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal building. Learn more about the parade.

3/18: Tree Talk with City Arborist Mark Reiland
Join our City Arborist for a Tree Talk on Wednesday, March 18, at 6:30 PM at Reiche School Community Room (entrance on Clark St., Door 11). The talk will explore tree stewardship, community engagement, and environmental challenges.

Free Business Training Opportunity Starts March 28
CEI is offering a Business Navigator program to provide technical guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the pre-start or early stages of their business journey. It is designed specifically for those facing challenges such as limited financial resources, unfamiliarity with Maine’s business regulations, or language and cultural barriers. This nine-week peer-group program begins 3/28, visit their website to register and learn more.

WSP USA Inc. Hired for "Reimagining Franklin Street" Final Planning
We’ve hired WSP USA Inc. to conduct the final planning phase for the Reimagining Franklin Street effort. Set to begin later this month, the planning effort will update and refine the conceptual design that was adopted by the City Council as part of the 2015 Franklin Street Master Plan, as well as develop a land use/urban design plan for the street. The planning effort is expected to take approximately 10 months to complete. Read the full update here to learn more.

Survey Time: Share Your Experience Taking the Bus
The Greater Portland Council of Governments is looking to learn about your experience taking the bus! Take the survey here. Your input will help GPCOG create the plan for a free and reduced-cost bus pass that works across bus agencies in Southern Maine, making public transit more accessible for all.

Portland Senior Tax Equity Program (P-Step) Applications
Our Treasury staff has mailed new applications to residents who were approved for the P-Step program last year; a new application must be filed every year that you are eligible for the program. Applications are available online and in-person at City Hall; this year’s application period runs from January 1 through July 31, 2025. Learn more about the Portland Senior Tax Equity Program (P-STEP) on our website.

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates
Read all the latest updates in the February 2025 newsletter or subscribe here to receive the newsletter once a month. Reminder: View real-time condition updates for Portland's five skating ponds and three sledding hills on this interactive map, updated daily. Ice skating is always at your own risk. Find more ice safety and winter recreation ideas on our website.
 

Elder Exercise: Friday Drop-In Pickleball at Reiche
Join for a game of drop-in pickleball - ongoing now through May 2025! 50+ exercise takes place at Reiche Community Center on Fridays, 6 PM-8 PM, $5/residents. Contact cviney@portlandmaine.gov 207-874-8873 for more information.

Winter Wednesdays: New Dining Campaign Runs Through March 26
Enjoy great deals and support your local eateries in Greater Portland + beyond on Wednesdays now through March 26, 2025! Find participating restaurants and deals, or sign your establishment up here. All restaurants across the state are encouraged to participate, spread the word!

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 + after school recreation counselors, lifeguards, 911 dispatchers, community health workers, and more. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning.