City Statement Regarding Use of Joyce House as Temporary Emergency Shelter

On October 19, 2020, the City of Portland announced it was finalizing its plans on a three-pronged approach to increase the amount of shelter beds available in Portland this winter in light of necessary COVID-19 precautions and the loss ...

Portland Finalizing Plans for Additional Shelter Space Ahead of Winter

The City of Portland’s Health & Human Services (HHS) Department has been working diligently to prepare for the winter season and the anticipated impact on people experiencing homelessness. Staff is in the midst of finalizing its plan for shelter space...

City Extends Outdoor Operations to Further Assist Businesses During Pandemic

In order to continue helping local businesses through the pandemic, the Portland City Council approved a plan during its October 19, 2020 meeting to allow restaurants and retailers to continue to operate outdoors on private property, pub...

Mayor Snyder to Give Remote State of the City Address

Mayor Kate Snyder is set to give her first State of the City Address during a remote special city council meeting on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 5:00 PM. To access the meeting, visit the meeting agenda for the Zoom link.

City Manager Jennings Agrees to One-Year Contract Extension

City Manager Jon Jennings’ has agreed to a one-year contract extension as part of his recent performance evaluation. The employment contract extension will go before the City Council for a first read during its Monday, October 19, 2020 meeting. The second...

New External Absentee Ballot Drop Box Now Available Outside Merrill Auditorium

A new external ballot drop box has been installed for those wishing to drop off their completed absentee ballots. It is located outside of the Merrill Auditorium entrance for 24/7 ballot returns. Please remember to sign the back of the envelope before dep...

Portland Expands Hours for Absentee Voting & Ballot Drop Box Ahead of November 3 Election

In-person absentee voting is currently going on now in the City Clerk’s temporary office space in the Merrill Auditorium lobby via the Myrtle Street entrance. Regular hours are 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. 

 The Clerk’s Offi...

City Again Offering Grants and Loans to Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19

Round three of the City of Portland’s COVID-19 grant and loan programs are being launched today. Eligibility has been relaxed for businesses that received more than $10,000 in COVID-19 Federal or State Funding and need more assistance. Previously this mad...

Mayor Snyder Recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Mayor Kate Snyder today recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day and issued the following statement: 

“On behalf of the City Council, today we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which honors the original peoples of many col...

Mayor & Councilors Announce Opposition to Citizen Initiative Referendum Questions A - E

Mayor Kate Snyder along with seven members of the City Council --Councilors Nick Mavodones, Jill Duson, Belinda Ray, Spencer Thibodeau, Tae Chong, Justin Costa, and Kim Cook -- announce their opposition to five citizen initiative referendum questions on t...

Council Approves Additional COVID-19 Rental & Business Assistance

The City Council allocated additional funds in the amount of $524,669 to the Portland CARES Emergency Income Payment Program (rental assistance) program during its October 8, 2020 meeting. Before new applications can be accepted for rental assistance, app...

Trick-Or-Treating Guidance for Halloween 2020 In Light of COVID-19

While the City of Portland does not control or sanction Halloween activities or Trick-or-Treating, it does want to make sure that residents are aware of this year’s safety guidelines should families choose to participate in Halloween 2020. The City is enc...

Portland and South Portland Release Joint Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, One Climate Future

The Cities of Portland and South Portland have released a draft of One Climate Future, a joint climate action and adaptation plan. One Climate Future is an innovative regional approach to climate action, bringing together two cities to m...

Mayor Appoints 13 Members to Racial Equity Steering Committee

Mayor Kate Snyder announced the appointment of 13 members to the Council’s newly formed Racial Equity Steering Committee during its September 9, 2020 meeting. The Council established a Racial Equity Steering Committee as part of a resolution tha...

Council Seeks Applicants for Racial Equity Steering Committee

The Portland City Council established a Racial Equity Steering Committee as part of a resolution that it passed at its July 13, 2020 Council meeting. The Committee will be tasked with developing recommendations to the City Council regarding the ways in wh...

Council Limits Rental Housing Application Fees

The Portland City Council approved a limitation on rental housing application fees during its August 3, 2020 meeting, which will be added to the City’s Code, Chapter 6, Buildings and Building Regulations, Section 223.1. The new ordinance prohibi...

Members of Public Encouraged to Apply for Charter Commission Council Appointee

The City Council’s newly created Charter Commission Ad Hoc Committee includes Mayor Snyder, Councilor Nick Mavodones, Councilor Pious Ali, and Councilor Tae Chong. 

The Ad Hoc Committee’s charge is to advance a slate of names f...

Mayor Snyder Offers Listening Session at Lincoln Park on July 29, 2020 at 9 AM

Mayor Kate Snyder is offering a listening session tomorrow morning at Lincoln Park regarding the protest at City Hall Plaza.

WHAT:  Mayor Kate Snyder offers Listening Session Re: Protest at City Hall Plaza // Maine People’s Housing Coal...

Council’s Ad Hoc Committee to Discuss Charter Commission Appointees During First Meeting

The City Council’s newly created Charter Commission Ad Hoc Committee will hold its first meeting today, Tuesday, July 28 at 4:00 PM via Zoom. Committee members include Mayor Snyder, Councilor Nick Mavodones, Councilor Pious Ali, and Councilor Ta...

Ten Mixed-Income Housing Projects Totaling Almost 900 Units Currently in Pipeline

Ten Mixed-Income Housing Projects Totaling Almost 900 Units Currently in Pipeline

City has not stopped working to create more affordable housing opportunities in Portland

In light of recent calls for the creation of more affordable housing in Portland, the ...

Council's Finance Committee Continues FY21 Budget Review Process on August 5, 2020

The Portland City Council’s Finance Committee will continue its FY21 budget review process with a series of meetings starting on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 5:30 PM. The meetings will take place remotely via Zoom and can be live-streamed at www...

City Council to Hold Workshop on Monday, July 27

The Portland City Council will host a remote workshop on Monday, July 27 at the end of its special meeting, which starts at 5:30 PM. The workshop will discuss issues related to those experiencing homelessness, Deering Oaks Park, and City Hall Plaza. The r...

Mayor Outlines Process for Establishing Charter Commission Members

Mayor Kate Snyder and the Portland City Council will hold a special remote City Council meeting on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 5:30 PM for the purpose of voting on a resolution to create an Ad Hoc Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee’s charge would be t...

City Continues to Serve Homeless People While Responding to Issues in Deering Oaks Park

The City of Portland continues to compassionately serve people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, as follows:

• The City is currently operating three (3) emergency shelters in accordance with CDC guidelines: the Oxford Street Shelter (OS...

City Council Passes Resolution Establishing a Racial Equity Steering Committee

The City Council passed a resolution at its Monday, July 13, 2020 meeting that establishes a Racial Equity Steering Committee to develop recommendations in response to systemic inequities. 

The original resolution can be read here. Councilors Spen...

Councilor Pious Ali Denounces Violence Against Police Department

Councilor Pious Ali held a press conference on Friday, June 10 to address recent violence against the Portland Police Department.

His remarks included the follow statements:

"Like many Portland residents, I was shocked waking up last Monday morning to ...

Mayor & Councilors Issue Statements Denouncing Violence Against Police Officers

Mayor Kate Snyder and several members of the City Council issued statements today denouncing recent violence against Portland Police officers.

Mayor Kate Snyder said, “As we work together as a community toward equity, the dismantling of systemic ...

City Makes $500,000 Available for Rent Assistance for Portlanders Affected by COVID-19

In response to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the City of Portland will make available up to three months of rent, and up to $250 in utility assistance to alleviate the housing burden for low income households that have lo...

Mayor and City Councilors Hold Press Conference to Discuss Recent Demonstrations

Mayor Kate Snyder and members of the Portland City Council held a press conference today at City Hall to discuss the recent demonstrations in Portland. They expressed support for the peaceful protests, the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as a commitm...

City Council Issues Proclamation Condemning Racism and Honoring Arbery, Taylor and Floyd

Mayor Snyder and the Portland City Council issued a proclamation at their June 1, 2020 City Council meeting condemning racism and honoring Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

PROCLAMATION CONDEMNING RACISM AND HONORING AHMAUD ARBERY, BREONNA TA...

City Offers Help to Small Businesses During Pandemic - Launches Three Grant & Loan Programs

The City of Portland launched three emergency business assistance programs after receiving City Council approval of the programs at its May 4, 2020 meeting and final funding for them at its May 18, 2020 meeting.

The programs include the Business Assistance...

Mayor Snyder & City Manager Issue Letter to Citizens and Businesses Regarding Reopening Plans

Portland Mayor Kate Snyder and City Manager Jon Jennings issued a letter to citizens and businesses today recapping the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and outlining its reopening plans. You can read it at the link below. 

Read on...

City Proposes Plan to Assist Restaurant & Retail Businesses with Reopening

In conjunction with Governor Mills’ Restarting Maine’s Economy plan, which outlines the gradual stages of reopening, the City of Portland has put together a proposed plan that includes temporary street closures and permitting changes t...

Portland Updates Stay at Home Guidance Based on Governor Mills' April 28 Announcement

In light of Governor Janet Mills’ April 28 announcement regarding her stay-at-home extension and safe and gradual plan to restart Maine’s economy, City officials want people and businesses in Portland to know that they should plan to f...

City Council Extends Stay at Home Emergency Order Until May 18

The Portland City Council voted to extend the Stay at Home Emergency Order until May 18, 2020 at its April 27th meeting. The emergency order also includes a number of amendments including:

• A temporary program to pay $1,000 to the owner of a non-ow...

City Clarifies Non-Essential Business Rules Related to Stay at Home Order & Calls Emergency Council

The City of Portland is seeking to clarify its rules for non-essential businesses related to the City’s emergency Stay at Home order, and as a result the Portland City Council will hold an emergency remote workshop on Monday, April 20 at 5:30 PM...

City Closes All Back Cove Trail Parking Lots During Stay At Home Emergency Order

The City of Portland is closing all parking lots associated with the Back Cove Trail due to the high usage of the trail and overcrowding concerns in light of the State of Maine and the City’s Stay at Home emergency orders requiring that individu...

Mayor Snyder Adds Tenant & Landlord Resources to City’s COVID-19 Webpage

Building off of the City Council’s March 30th approval of an Emergency Order, Mayor Kate Snyder has compiled a comprehensive list of resources available to tenants and landlords in light of COVID-19. The Emergency Order requests landlords in Por...

City of Portland Opens Additional Shelter for Clients Needing Quarantine Space

The City of Portland has opened an additional shelter for clients needing quarantine space in light of positive COVID-19 cases. The quarantine space is located at the James A. Banks, Sr. Exposition Building. The City is working with the Maine Department o...

Mayor Snyder Issues Statement in Response to Governor Mills' Stay at Home Order

The following is a statement from Portland Mayor Kate Snyder in response to the stay at home order that Governor Mills issued for the state of Maine. 

“I’d like to thank Governor Mills for enacting these extra mandates to furth...

City Council to Host Remote Meeting on Monday, March 30 at 5:00 PM

On Monday, March 30, 2020, at 5:00 PM, the Portland City Council will conduct its first virtual workshop and meeting using emergency legislation, Sec. G-1 MRSA §403-A, that allows cities and towns to conduct meetings online. The meeting includes ...

Portland Issues COVID-19 Related Updates for City Services

The City of Portland is issuing the following updates related to the COVID-19 response and resources.

City Hall & City Buildings Closed to External Visitors Until April 13

City Hall and all City buildings will now remain closed to external visitors unti...

City Announces Stay at Home Emergency Order Effective Wednesday, March 25 at 5:00 PM

City Announces Stay at Home Emergency Order Effective Wednesday, March 25 at 5:00 PM

Restricts all non-essential personal and business services

Mayor Kate Snyder and Portland City Manager Jon Jennings announced today at a 3:00 PM press conference that the C...

Mayor Snyder Issues Guidance to Keep People Housed During COVID-19 Pandemic

Portland Mayor Kate Snyder issued the following guidance to help keep people housed during the COVID-19 pandemic given the need for safe housing during this public health and economic crisis. The courts are currently closed at this time and no evictions a...

City of Portland Following CDC Guidelines Regarding Coronavirus Precautions

The City of Portland is actively engaged and monitoring guidance from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Maine CDC regarding Coronavirus COVID-19 preparations and precautions. The City’s emergency management team is...

Join Us As We Kick Off the Maine Bicentennial in Deering Oaks Park

Governor Janet Mills will join Mayor Strimling, City officials, and members of the Maine Bicentennial Commission to launch the commemoration of the State of Maine bicentennial on Tuesday, July 30 at 2:30 PM in Deering Oaks Park. The Portland event, one of...

Volunteer & Donation Information to Support Asylum Seekers

Thank you to those who have expressed a wish to volunteer your time and services in helping us as we support asylum seekers arriving in Portland. Thanks to our friends at the United Way of Greater Portland, we now have a coordinated and secure way to acce...

City Responds to Influx in Asylum Seekers

The City of Portland, in response to an influx in asylum seekers from the southern US border, has activated an emergency operations center and additional emergency shelter at the Portland Expo. Since Sunday, June 9, the City has received roughly 100 new a...

City Seeks Interested Applicants to Create MLK Memorial in Portland

The City of Portland announced today that it is seeking qualifications from interested applicants for the creation of a memorial to honor Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Portland. The RFQ is available here and interested applicants have until June 26 ...

Police Participate in May 11 Gun Give Back Program

The Portland Police Department is excited to participate in a gun give back program on May 11, 2019. The event offers an opportunity for the community to become a safer place by offering people a way to safely dispose of unwanted firearms and ammunition.

“...

FY20 Municipal Budget Currently Under Review by Council

The City Council’s Finance Committee is in the midst of reviewing the City Manager’s Recommended FY20 Municipal Budget. Upcoming Council and public review of the budget will take place at the following times:

Finance Committee Meetings All meetings are in R...

Portland Receives Small Business Friendly Community Award

The City of Portland is pleased to announce that the U.S Conference of Mayors and its Partner America Program selected Portland to receive the Inaugural 2019 Partner America Small Business Friendly Community Award. According to the US Conference of Mayors...