The District Five Insider is a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Enter your email and click subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox.
Saturday May 3, 2025
ONE BIG THING: Trolley Park Ribbon Cutting & Community Cleanup
On Tuesday, May 14th at 4 PM, we’ll cut the ribbon on Portland’s newest community gem: the Trolley Park Bike Skills Park. This new space reflects our shared commitment to outdoor recreation, youth empowerment, and neighborhood vibrancy. Please join us to celebrate!
And don’t miss today’s community trash pickup at 10 AM in Trolley Park. Meet in the parking lot by the sign at 822 Riverside Street. Supplies will be provided by the City and Coffee and donuts will be on hand to fuel the good work.
What Happened: The Trolley Park Skills Park has been years in the making, designed in collaboration with community partners and youth advocates. Simultaneously, this morning’s cleanup effort brings volunteers together to care for one of our most visible public spaces.
Why It Matters: Whether it’s a park opening or a trash pickup, these moments highlight the power of direct civic action. They also speak to our broader efforts to create spaces—both literal and metaphorical—where everyone belongs and feels safe.
What Comes Next: We are actively investing in more spaces like Trolley Park, and strengthening our Public Works partnerships for regular community-driven cleanup events.
VACANCY ORDINANCE: Monument Square and Beyond
The Housing and Economic Development Committee (HEDC) is currently reviewing a proposed commercial vacancy ordinance aimed at bringing more life to empty storefronts downtown. This ordinance specifically targets properties within the Pedestrian Activities District, including Monument Square, with a focus on bringing in more art installations, local partnerships, and economic revitalization.
What Happened: Concerns about safety and disinvestment in Monument Square have grown louder in recent months. The vacancy ordinance is a thoughtful policy response: rather than criminalizing poverty, it seeks to activate unused spaces and bring beauty and foot traffic back into our public squares.
Why It Matters: Trump’s attacks on Maine, weren’t just rhetorical—they were economic. His stance toward Canada, including reckless tariffs and insults aimed at one of our closest neighbors and trading partners, directly harm Maine industries, including our tourism economy here in Portland. Fewer visitors means poverty and homeless are more visible in our public spaces. This ordinance gives us a way to balance compassion and revitalization, helping businesses thrive, while standing firm on public safety and community standards.
What Comes Next: Pending HEDC endorsement, the ordinance will proceed to the Planning Board, and ultimately the City Council, for review and possible adoption.
Rural-Urban Division Is a Distraction: Let’s Build Solidarity in Our Strengths
There’s something I hear more often than I’d like to admit: “Augusta hates Portland.” I was recently told by a fellow elected official that when Portland testifies in support of a bill at the State House, it can actually hurt the bill’s chances. Legislators from other regions don’t want what Portland wants—not because the policy is wrong, but because we are asking for it.
Let that sink in.
Some would rather see Portland lose than Maine win. And I have to ask: how does that serve any of us?
What We Know:
Portland is not just a city—it’s a statewide engine. We generate significant sales and cannabis tax revenues that help fund programs in every corner of Maine. Our hospitals, universities, and shelters serve residents far beyond city limits. We provide public health programs, housing, and cultural experiences that benefit the whole state.
But Here’s the Truth:
We also rely on rural Maine. We depend on rural labor, natural resources, food systems, and outdoor spaces. When people come to Portland, they’re not just coming for the cobblestones and the lobster rolls—they’re coming for the authenticity of Maine, which includes its farms, forests, fisheries, and families spread across every region.
Why It Matters:
A house divided cannot stand. When we tear each other down, no one wins. We cannot afford to treat Portland’s policy work as toxic, simply because it originates here. Every time we pit rural and urban needs against one another, we miss the chance to build coalitions that could actually deliver results—from affordable housing, to healthcare, to clean energy.
What Comes Next:
Let’s change the conversation. Let’s speak with appreciation for what our rural partners bring to the table and with pride in what Portland offers the state. If we want a strong Maine, we need every region at the table—celebrated, not scapegoated. We need to get back to basics: shared values, shared vision, and shared victories.
ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764
Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.
Kate Sykes for District Five 