Advocating for the Bayside Neighborhood in Portland, Maine
Category: Relevant Developments
The Relevant Developments Team monitors and engages with proposed construction projects and planning initiatives that will shape Bayside’s future. The team closely follows major developments including Port Property’s massive 804-unit Bayside Master Development Plan, the proposed 3,300-seat music venue at Myrtle Street and Cumberland Avenue, Avesta’s 48-unit “housing first” project at the former Oxford Street shelter site, and childcare and housing projects throughout the neighborhood. By attending planning board meetings, organizing neighborhood meetings, and encouraging community members to submit public comments, the team ensures that Bayside voices are heard in decisions affecting housing, affordability, infrastructure, and the neighborhood’s evolving character. The team keeps residents informed about timelines, design details, and opportunities to participate in the planning process.
City Council guidance was that park and greenspace be prioritized for this site — a policy preference, not a verified binding requirement. As currently written, the RFP’s Priority 3 is to incorporate public greenspace and potential park space, with no size stated. The 125′ x 125′ park is the Bayside Neighborhood Association’s proposal, listed only as a preference, which means it can be value-engineered out without penalty.
Please issue an addendum that:
Makes delivery of a minimum 125-foot by 125-foot contiguous, publicly accessible park a mandatory, scored requirement, not a preference
Assigns it a specific point value in the scoring matrix, with points lost if the park is reduced, privatized, or phased after housing.
Requires a site plan showing the park’s location, dimensions, public access, and maintenance commitment.
A written addendum before November 10 ensures all proposers are scored on the same requirement, consistent with Council guidance.
Proposed addendum language:
“Proposals must include a minimum 125-foot by 125-foot (1/3 acre) contiguous public park, publicly accessible at all hours, with direct street frontage. The park shall be shown dimensioned on the site plan. Scoring: Points awarded for park quality, contiguity, frontage, programming, and long-term maintenance plan, with the point value to be set by the City. Proposals that reduce the park below 1/3 acre, make it private/resident-only, or defer it to a later phase shall receive zero points for this criterion.”
Calling all Baysiders! Now is the time to have our voices heard! In response to demands for public involvement before selling the Midtown Properties in Bayside, The City of Portland announced a comprehensive process for soliciting community input. Click here to access the City…
TO: Portland City CouncilFROM: Bayside Neighborhood AssociationDATE: February 9, 2026SUBJECT: Midtown Properties Dear Mayor and City Councilors, The Bayside Neighborhood Association respectfully requests that the Council pause any decisions regarding which portions of the Midtown property will be sold. Given the significance of this…
Wednesday afternoon the City of Portland hosted the first of two public feedback forums related to the Midtown Properties in Bayside. Members of the BNA Relevant Developments Team, including team lead Amelia LaBreck, vice-president Rob Sylvain, and treasurer Peter Markoe attended to make sure…
A major transformation of Portland’s Franklin Street corridor has cleared its first key legislative hurdle. On October 21, the city’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee voted unanimously to forward the ambitious “Reimagining Franklin Street” redesign plan to the full City Council.
The proposal targets the heavily traveled artery connecting Interstate 295 to downtown, offering a vision to reclaim urban space and modernize the corridor:
Roadway & Safety: Replaces the current layout with a narrowed street design and reduced travel lanes to significantly improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Housing & Public Space: Reclaims the wide grassy median, opening up valuable acreage for prospective housing developments while expanding historic Lincoln Park.
Environmental Upgrades: Integrates sustainable infrastructure, including updated sewer separation systems, green stormwater management, and expanded tree canopy.
This revised concept unlocks substantially more developable land than earlier iterations of the project.
Community Doubts and Unanswered Questions
Despite the committee’s enthusiastic backing, many local residents remain skeptical about the true necessity of such a sweeping overhaul. Concerns are growing over whether a surface-level redesign—even one designed to check every municipal box—will ultimately justify years of construction disruption and prolonged urban dysfunction.
A key anxiety centers on long-term mobility: will reducing travel lanes create a permanent bottleneck that haunts Portland’s commuting capacity for decades to come? Some community members are urging city planners to consider whether there is a better path forward. For instance, an underground tunnel option could potentially better satisfy all housing and pedestrian goals on the surface without strangling essential vehicular traffic below.
Another concern, highlighted by members of the BNA Tree Team, is the loss of mature trees. Since the road cuts through the city’s four least equitable neighborhoods in terms of tree canopy, tree advocates have raised concerns about the plan to clearcut the whole roadway (including the heritage oaks by Lincoln Park and and the oaks lining the road near Marginal Way) and replant with saplings that will take 50 years to deliver the same cooling, air filtration, and stormwater management that the mature trees provide today.
Next Steps
The proposal moves to the full Portland City Council for consideration on November 16. Pending approval, preliminary design work is scheduled to begin in 2027. Some community members have proposed that the city council table any decisions until the newly elected council is seated. The City Council agenda will be posted at https://portlandme.portal.civicclerk.com/event/9579/files on Friday, Nov. 13. Comments can be sent to publiccomment@portlandmaine.gov
BAYSIDE, PORTLAND, Maine – The Equality Community Center (ECC) will celebrate the grand opening of Equality Commons, a 54-unit affordable senior housing community at 25 Casco Street in downtown Portland. The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Wednesday, August 19, at 3 p.m.
Maine’s First Affordable Senior Housing Community with Programs and Services for LGBTQ+ Older Adults
Located next door to the Equality Community Center at 15 Casco Street, Equality Commons is Maine’s first affordable senior housing community developed in partnership with an LGBTQ+ community center, with programs and services specifically designed to support LGBTQ+ older adults.
The project adds 54 affordable homes for residents age 55 and older, contributing to the City of Portland’s efforts to address its shortage of affordable housing. It also provides a safe and inclusive environment where LGBTQ+ older adults, other marginalized community members and their allies can age with dignity while remaining connected to community.
“Equality Commons brings affordable housing, community resources and LGBTQ+-affirming services together in one location,” said Ed Gardner of Gardner Real Estate, an ECC founding member and Chair of the Housing Committee.
LGBTQ+ older adults can face higher risks of poverty, social isolation, chronic health conditions, discrimination and unstable or hostile living environments. Many are more likely to live alone and have limited family support or caregivers, and may encounter discrimination in rental housing because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. As people age and become more reliant on others for care and support, some also fear discrimination or retaliation if they are open about who they are.
Equality Commons is open to all residents age 55 and older, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Apartments are affordable to households earning approximately 50 to 60 percent of the adjusted median income for the greater Portland area, as determined by MaineHousing. More than 250 people have joined the waitlist for the 54 apartments. Leasing is underway, and the waitlist remains open.
Equality Commons includes studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, a community room, retail café with outdoor space, back patio, laundry facilities and a bike room. Nineteen apartments are accessible, including 12 beyond the seven required. Eleven accessible units are set aside for residents living with disabilities, including HIV/AIDS, in partnership with the Frannie Peabody Center.
One future resident, who came out later in life, said Equality Commons offers an opportunity to age in a welcoming environment.
“I spent much of my life hiding a part of who I was. Coming out later in life changed everything. Equality Commons gives me something I never thought I’d have – a safe place to grow older, surrounded by people who see me, understand me and let me be my authentic self.”
Downtown Location and Proximity to ECC Connects Residents to Resources
The downtown location provides convenient access to public transportation, health care, social services, restaurants, entertainment, parks and recreation. Living next door means Equality Commons residents will have easy access to the programs, social activities, educational opportunities and community resources available through ECC, while remaining connected to the larger LGBTQ+ community. Founded in 2015, the Equality Community Center is Maine’s first and only LGBTQ+ and social justice-focused community center. Its home at 15 Casco Street provides space for community organizations, programs, events and services, including a self-serve café, reading room and lending library, art gallery, meeting and event spaces, and the Safe Combinations thrift store.
“Equality Commons is an extension of what we have always believed at ECC: community matters,” said Christopher O’Connor, ECC Executive Director. “We wanted to create more than affordable housing. We wanted to create a place where people can make friends, build relationships, find resources, take part in community life and know that they belong.”
Project Details
The $23.5 million project was funded through public and private financing, including Maine Affordable Housing Tax Credits, federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, a commercial bank loan and a tax increment financing agreement with the City of Portland. MaineHousing selected Equality Commons as one of four projects statewide to receive financing in 2024.
The project received $9.7 million in tax credit equity from the Evernorth 481 Fund II (TD Bank, N.A.), along with additional support from the Genesis Community Loan Fund.
Equality Commons was designed by Ryan Senatore, constructed by Penobscot General Contractors and developed by Developers Collaborative. The Portland Housing Authority will manage the property.
The project also received a generous grant from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to support improvements that will make Equality Commons safer and more comfortable for residents: common-area
furnishings, entertainment technology, security cameras, the build-out of the retail space and other improvements.
The grand opening will bring together residents, community members, project partners, supporters and elected officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the development.
Wednesday afternoon the City of Portland hosted the first of two public feedback forums related to the Midtown Properties in Bayside. Members of the BNA Relevant Developments Team, including team lead Amelia LaBreck, vice-president Rob Sylvain, and treasurer Peter Markoe attended to make sure Bayside voices are heard throughout the process. The city also is soliciting feedback though an online survey, here: Midtown Project Community Survey
The next public forum is scheduled for April 29th at City Hall. (The session’s hours have been extended to accommodate more members of the public, and will now be held from 4pm – 7pm.) For more information visit the City of Portland Website. Click the link below for an overview of the BNA’s position on Midtown, or use the search tool to the right for some historical perspective.
Please take the survey and consider joining us at the next public session. Feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas at developments@baysideportland.org As always, we want to hear from you!
Calling all Baysiders! Now is the time to have our voices heard! In response to demands for public involvement before selling the Midtown Properties in Bayside, The City of Portland announced a comprehensive process for soliciting community input. Click here to access the City of Portland website for more information and to take the community survey
Community members are invited to share their ideas for how these sites should be used at upcoming public meetings and through an online survey. A summary of community feedback will be presented to the Council’s Housing & Economic Development Committee in May. Based on this input and subsequent Council guidance, marketing materials may be developed for further Committee review.
The Bayside Neighborhood Association has been working on this for decades, and was instrumental in producing the landmark New Vision for Bayside in January of 2000 as part of the city’s comprehensive plan. Still relevant today, it’s the centerpiece of the city’s supporting documents on Midtown. At the heart of the plan, as illustrated below, is a sequence of urban-density buildings lining the then-unrealized Bayside Trail, anchored by a central “public open space.” We respectfully request that the city honors that commitment to the public good by reserving a 125′ x 125′ piece of the property (about 1/10th of the total area) for a much needed public recreation area.
Today, we’re asking Baysiders and allies to affirm and amplify the board’s multiple entreaties to the council. Below are copies of the BNA’s official statements. Please feel free to refer to them when filling out the survey and/or writing to your city councillors. We also want to hear your ideas so please reach out to board@baysideportland.org and let us know what you think.
NBT Bank Opens a Branch in Bayside — and Invests in the Neighborhood.
On March 10th, NBT welcomed neighbors and community members to their new location at 191 Marginal Way for a ribbon cutting and branch tour, before continuing the celebration at Rising Tide Brewery. It was a warm, well-attended afternoon — and a nice way to mark the occasion.
We want to say a genuine thank you to NBT Bank for their $2,500 donation to the Bayside Neighborhood Association, made in conjunction with the opening of their new Bayside branch this month.
NBT’s decision to expand to Bayside is something we don’t take for granted. It reflects a belief in this neighborhood — in its residents, its businesses, and its future. And their contribution to the BNA shows that their interest in Bayside goes beyond opening a branch. They want to be part of the community.
That matters to us. The BNA exists to support and strengthen Bayside, and having partners who share that commitment makes that work more possible.
We’re glad NBT is here, and we look forward to what we can do together.
TO: Portland City Council FROM: Bayside Neighborhood Association DATE: February 9, 2026 SUBJECT: Midtown Properties
Dear Mayor and City Councilors,
The Bayside Neighborhood Association respectfully requests that the Council pause any decisions regarding which portions of the Midtown property will be sold. Given the significance of this property to the future of our community and the potential long-term impacts of its development, it is essential that we proceed thoughtfully and with comprehensive public input.
We believe that the lots may need to be sub-divided before going to market, to engender a more diverse set of possible outcomes for this extraordinary piece of land. A delay in the decision-making process would allow for deeper engagement with residents, stakeholders, and urban planning experts to ensure that the choices made for Midtown reflect the best interests of Portland now and for generations to come.
Thank you for considering this request and for your continued dedication to our city.
Sincerely, Thomas Blackburn, President Bayside Neighborhood Association
BNA Board of directors: Thomas Blackburn, 14 Hanover Street Robert Sylvain, 167 Falmouth Street Colette Bouchard, 18 Hanover Street Pete Markoe, 47 Hanover Street Susan McCloskey, 25 Parris Street Jim Hall, 47 Cedar Street Betsy Boyd, Portland Downtown
The Harvard Kennedy School of Government is calling all Baysiders to participate in a forum to discuss the impacts of climate change and attendant severe weather events in our community. We want to hear from you, and hope you’ll take time to gather with your neighbors to share our thoughts, concerns, and ideas on how to move forward together.
Please share and post this flyer widely. Here are translated flyers for speakers of other languages:
“Join us for an interactive, in-person community engagement session focused on stormwater, flooding, and climate impacts in Bayside. Over about 90 minutes, residents will work together around a large neighborhood map to identify valued community features, share past experiences with flooding using simple color markers and optional notes, and highlight what kinds of resources or support they have used, or might need, in future events. It’s an opportunity for residents to share their own experiences and contribute to supporting the future of Bayside.”
Team leads met April 7th to discuss communication, shared challenges, resources and goals. A decision was made to reboot the Baysider as an online publication, facilitated by the tech team.
Garden Team — Holly Picotte, lead — Susan McClosky, board liaison
We held the 2025 garden orientation on Saturday, May 3rd with a great turnout. We met several new plot holders and gardeners were exchanging ideas about what they were going to plant in their plots! The water access was discovered to be broken (pex coming from the shelter was snapped), but Stephen, one of our gardeners, volunteered to fix it which he did that day which is fantastic. Water was set to be turned on Monday, 5/5 by Port Property.
Development Developments Team — Amelia LaBreck, lead — Alex Landry, board liaison
The Franklin Street Redesign Project is in early planning stages at the city. Several Development Team members attended an open house to reboot the project at the Rines Auditorium on April 17th. The Live Nation Music Venue has had the question of traffic and parking feasibility is to be examined by the transportation committee. 89 Elm construction is underway, though currently is more of a void in the ground than a structure. 60 Elm has had an enlargement and redesign, being workshopped May 6th. The whole Reveler MDP is undergoing some changes to be announced. 72 Parris held a public meeting at the McGoldrick Center on April 14th which was attended by many BNA members and neighborhood voices.
BNA Citizens’ Trash Brigade — Megan Holt, lead — Rob Sylvain, board liaison
Thanks to all who turned out for another successful spring cleanup on Saturday April 17th. Special thanks to city arborist Mark Reilland for providing compost and mulch for the BNA Tree Team to spread on our new neighborhood trees. Many thanks to the generous Bayside Businesses that donated gift certificates: Leavitt & Sons Deli – Isa Bistro – Wilson County BBQ – Bayside Bowl – Two Fat Cats Bakery – Tally’s Kitchen – Maine Oyster Company
Tuesday April 22 Preble Street hosted another cleanup and BBQ which was attended by BNA board and team members. Just three days after the BNA cleanup, it was noted that trash had already accumulated again.
Saturday May 3rd Portland Parks Conservancy hosted a city-wide cleanup with Megan Holt acting as a hub captain at the Bayside Community Garden. The tree team continued mulching and the garden team met to clean up and prepare the garden for spring. Holly noted that Public works did not pick up the garbage bags the following day, causing a mess on Hall Ct. Jennifer Rogers had noted the same problem after the April 17th cleanup.
Caroline Fernandez from Preble Street has indicated interest in collaborating on monthly cleanups Friday afternoons. Next cleanup is scheduled for Friday
Tech Team — Joey Brunelle, lead — Jim Hall, board liaison
The Baysider newspaper is getting an online reboot. Submissions of news and photos from team leads are needed. Also looking for content from the community including editorials, reviews, events, photos, art, poetry, and prose of all sorts. Thanks to Special Collections Librarian & Archivist Abraham Schechter, the Portland Public Library’s has been digitizing their collection of The Baysider which lives in the Portland Room archive. The public can now access searchable pdf copies of many issues of The Baysider at the Portland Public Library Digital Commons website, and the BNA website.
Tree Team — Avery Kamilla, lead — Susan McClosky, board liaison
The BNA Tree Team has been active this spring working to grow our tree canopy and tend our existing trees. During the annual Spring Cleanup, neighbors mulched all the newly planted trees on Chestnut Street and many of the newly planted trees on the Bayside Trail.
The Tree Team is also working with the Portland Park Rangers to host the annual Tree Hugging event June 7. For the first time, it will be held in the Bayside Neighborhood on the Bayside Trail. At the Tree Hugging event, Portland’s lead Park Ranger and certified forest bathing expert Liz Collado will lead a forest bathing walk and encourage participants to envision the day when the young trees on the trail become mature, heritage trees with wide canopies.
Members of the Tree Team attended the recent Tree Talk given by Portland’s arborist Mark Reiland and hosted by the West End Neighborhood Association. Reiland discussed the new planting requirements that he has initiated for new trees that mandate much larger planting wells and a compost-rich soil. The disappointing news he delivered during the talk was that he does not expect to plant any trees in Bayside or East Bayside this year. Reiland said the reason why is because the city used all the viable planting locations during last year’s tree surge.
Members of the Tree Team also attended the recent Reimagining Franklin Street event hosted by the Planning Department at the Portland Public Library. The event was a chance for the public to offer feedback about what they like and don’t like about the current street. Tree Team members advocated for the need for more trees and parkland.
Tree Team member and Portland Protectors co-founder Avery Yale Kamila talked with city officials about the need to restore Lincoln Park to its original size and further expand it. Of particular concern is preserving the heritage oaks growing in the median between Congress and Middle streets.
The Bayside neighborhood’s only playground, the Stone Street Playground, is slated for a $400,000 upgrade this budget year. However, Reiland is concerned that a major revamp of the playground will kill the park’s trees. The BNA and the Tree Team are awaiting more information about the project. Any day now the cherry trees in the Stone Street Playground will unfurl their pink blooms.
Bayside Business Breakfast Club — Tom Blackburn, lead — Betsy Boyd, board liaison
Gathered on April 30 at Coffee Me Up, hosted by Alba Zakja. Topics included creating a Bayside business map, intra-team communication via whatsapp, mentorship program with ProsperityME, updating the business contact list, outreach to corporate entities, improvement district funding, ads for Baysider, lobbying city hall, promoting good news stories to the media, and delegating action items. Tom Blackburn has stepped up to lead the team. Next meeting will be at Jay York Photography, 58 Wilmot Street on Wednesday, May 28th, 8:30am
Welcome Team — Belinda Vemba, lead — Deb VanHoewyk, board liaison
The Welcome Committee has co-hosted its first event – the Samosa Social! On Thursday, April 3rd, the BNA and the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center held an afternoon get-together at the IWC at 24 Preble Street in Bayside. The idea was to bring together various organizations, including the BNA, who serve our newly arrived neighbors who come to the IWC to learn English, access workforce and entrepreneurial programs, and navigate their way to citizenship.
Bayside neighbors and immigrants from all over the world made short work of the over 200 samosas donated by Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, along with other halal treats from Portland’s immigrant groceries and restaurants. Music and conversation were the order of the day, along with presentations by representatives from immigrant-serving organizations. Grace Mo-Phillips from Coastal Enterprises, Micky Bondo from In Her Presence, Bright Musuamba and Amen Mibaraka from Prosperity Maine, and Belinda Vemba from the Immigrant Welcome Center, all spoke about how their organizations help the community. City Councillor and Bayside resident Sarah Michniewicz was on hand not only to meet and listen to new neighbors, but also to help serve up samosas to the crowd.
The BNA formed the Welcome Committee to better connect with the various communities who comprise the very diverse population of Bayside – home to immigrants and faith groups, homeowners and renters, social service and education organizations. The Welcome Committee works to unite neighbors in making Bayside a more “welcoming” place. We’re hoping this event is the beginning of many enduring collaborations.
BAYsideBEEs — Deirdre Paul, lead — Rob Sylvain, board liaison
Working on an event calendar for the BNA website, highlighting performing arts and First Friday openings in Bayside. 82 Parris Gallery and Maine Clay Collaborative both had open houses on First Friday in May.
Student Liaison — Michael Marston, lead — Rob Sylvain, board liaison
Michael is working on a 3D model of Bayside, which should be complete by the end of the term. The mural project has been put on hold. John Wensman from Baxter Academy hopes to design a full-year project with a new student next fall.
Art Team — Carolyn Megan, lead — Betsy Boyd, board liaison
Still working on idea of painting of utility boxes. Looking for funding sources. Carolyn needs to be away most of May into mid-June and possibly into July. As such, the Art Team needs any new interested members/lead. Email Carolyn with questions and/or if you want more information.
Safe Streets Team — Bowman Brown, lead — Deb VanHoewyk, board liaison
The next meeting is scheduled for May 20 at 6 pm in the Steve Hirshon Community Room at Unity Village 24 Stone Street.Items to be addressed at the next meeting include better lighting; the group will work out how to create a list of all non-operating street lights, as well as key places where lighting could be improved, such as Portland Street – Bowman’s building is 34 Portland Street, and there are definite dark spots there. The Preble Street 295 underpass is another.
In February, the group discussed a “text buddy” system so people could text to get a buddy for walking together in unsafe situations. There were concerns about having personal numbers out there, but it seems as if WhatsApp could take care of the privacy issues. A number of people have already volunteered to participate via WhatsApp.
Pedestrian safety – hotspots are Portland Street, especially at the intersections with Parris and Hanover Streets. This is related to the lack of parking enforcement, which results in people parking every which way, making pedestrian pathways unpredictable.
Bowman distributed for discussion the New York Times article highlighting the increasing problem of Meth as opposed to fentanyl use in our neighborhood.
