City News Round Up: Friday, July 11, 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. The City Council unanimously approved the FY26 municipal budget at the June 23 City Council meeting. read a recap. The next City Council meeting is a special double meeting on Monday, July 14, at 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM.

Public Meeting for the York Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project
Please join the City of Portland and our design consultant, Wright-Pierce, as we review the 50% design of the York Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvement Project! This public meeting will occur at 5:00 PM on July 15, 2025, at Portland City Hall (389 Congress Street) in Room 24.

Neighborhood Mini Grants
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 starting Monday, July 7, until August 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.

New Temporary Street Safety Projects
This summer, the cities of Portland, Saco, and South Portland are using roadway paint, flexible traffic posts, and speed bumps to temporarily redesign select streets. The goal is to test improvements aimed at making the roads safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers before committing to permanent infrastructure changes. Improvements on Washington Avenue in Portland, from Veranda Street to Ocean Avenue, are scheduled for later in July. Read the full story. 

Upcoming Sustainability Chat, July 11
Join our Sustainability team on Friday, 7/11 at 9:00 AM, for a discussion with Trixie Betz from Maine Aquaculture Association about the Maine aquaculture industry at the state, federal, and international levels. Sign up for this Zoom get-together (and future Coffee & Climate events in 2025) through this Zoom registration link.

Portland Kids Duathlon to Support Portland Schools
The 8th annual Portland Kids Duathlon is July 13 in Payson Park! With an aim to get kids active and outdoors, inspire families to get fit together, and support our local schools, all profits and sponsorships from this race are donated to the Foundation for Portland Public Schools. Learn more and register.  

City Working on Efforts to Revitalize Monument Square & Congress Street
This summer, residents and visitors will see a cleaner, safer, and more activated Monument Square and adjacent Congress Street corridor thanks to efforts by the City of Portland and Portland Downtown. A new bike share station, the return of the arts market, seasonal outdoor seating, new downtown ambassadors, as well as increased safety measures, and tools to assist businesses and storefronts are all underway or coming soon. 

Renew or Apply - Residential Parking Permits
Residential parking permits that are valid July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, are now available online. Please visit the customer portal to renew or apply for a new permit. Visit our website for more information on the residential permit program. 

Island Residents - Purple City Trash Bags Required
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.  

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.

Portland Relaunches Two Successful Social Services Programs
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!

New Loans Available for Storefront Upgrades in Downtown Portland
The City Council recently approved the Portland Development Corporation’s recommendation to create a new interest-free loan product designed to support investment in storefronts located 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.

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. 

Personal Property:  We have now completed a full revaluation of all personal property as of April 1, 2025. Letters are going out in the mail next week. Portland business owners will have an opportunity to discuss the new assessment with a KRT representative by telephone. Topics of discussion can include the revaluation process, data on the business equipment listing, the market value itself, and any other relevant information as it relates to new assessments. 

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• Before & After the Bell registration update
• Here are the updates regarding our 2025–2026 Before and After the Bell Program
• Reiche Pool is OPEN for summer fun! Join us for open swim sessions and splash into the cool water with friends and family. Find the schedule.
• 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.
• 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.
• Western Prom Project Update
• Ongoing: Hersey St Sewer Separation Project + Deering Ave Sewer Extension
• Read a Back Cove South Update. Finishing touches are being applied now. The fields will not be open until next Spring to allow time for the grass to grow.
• Survey Time: GPCOG Road Safety Improvement Projects: The Greater Portland Council of Governments is launching a series of low-cost demonstration road safety improvement projects in key areas identified through the Vision Zero Greater Portland action plan and needs your input. Take their survey! The project will include temporary installations that aim to improve pedestrian crossing safety, limit unsafe maneuvers, and reduce vehicle speeds in key high-risk areas. 

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.