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Pedestrian Safety Focus Group Success
The Bayside Neighborhood Association convened two sessions of the Community Voices for Road Safety Pedestrian Safety Campaign, with 10 participants attending each session. This initiative, part of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety’s new pedestrian-focused safety effort in Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn, brought Portland residents directly into the creative process of shaping public safety messaging. Rather than using a traditional top-down approach, the campaign asked community members—many of whom walk daily as their primary mode of transportation—to help guide the message drivers and walkers need to hear, determine the creative look of the campaign, and identify where these messages would be most effective.
The sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, were designed to address the rising pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Portland by centering the voices of those most affected. Participants received $50 compensation for their time, and snacks and beverages were provided. Jeff Larason, Highway Safety Communications Program Director for Community Voices campaign moderated the program. The neighborhood-authored campaign that emerges from these focus groups is set to roll out in Spring 2026.
Call for 2D Art Submissions!
Vacant Storefront Art Initiative–Call for 2D Art Submissions
Owners of vacant commercial storefronts in Portland’s Pedestrian Activities District (see map below) are encouraged to allow the City to install 2D art reproduced on window clings. This will be provided and installed by the City at no cost to the property owners.
The theme of this call is “Downtown Resurgam.” (Resurgam is Portland’s motto, and is a Latin word that means “I will rise again,” signifying renewal and the overcoming of adversity.)
To that end, we are accepting art submissions to be reviewed and selected by a jury. Property owners will then be able to choose selected art to display in their windows on a first come, first served basis. A stipend of $300 will be paid to the artist for each piece of artwork that is chosen to be displayed. Submitted artwork can be new or existing art. They can be drawings, photographs, paintings, or any other kind of 2-dimensional art.
Artists may submit up to 5 pieces.
Eligibility Requirements:
– Artists must live in Maine, with preference given to artists in the Greater Portland area.
— Priority will be given to underrepresented artists.
– Up to five (5) designs by each artist may be considered.
– Designs will be selected by a juried selection panel.
– Proposals must be received on or before February 1, 2026.
– Artists will be notified by February 28, 2025 if their designs are selected by the juried selection panel.
— Artists will receive a stipend of $300 for each piece of artwork that is chosen by a property owner to be displayed in a vacant storefront window.
— The City will keep the reproduced art to display in other windows as needed.
— The size of the art may be altered to fit the window, but care will be taken to retain its original aspect ratio in order to prevent distortion of the image.
— AI-generated artwork is not permitted.
Want to get updates on programs like this? Join the BNA Public Art Team! contact arts@baysideportland.org
Winter is here. Time to help out!
The City of Portland asked us to help share information about a great program run by Age Friendly Portland. They are looking for volunteers who can shovel snow for an elderly neighbor this winter, and they’re also seeking Neighborhood Coordinators—particularly from the Rosemont and Deering Center neighborhoods—to help match Portland homeowners with volunteers.
If you’d like to volunteer or want more details, you can contact Linda Weare at 207-541-6620 or email agefriendlycommunity@portlandmaine.gov.
If you are a Portland homeowner age 65+ in need of snow removal assistance, please call 207-541-6620.
ALSO: CTB Block Walk Dec 19th
The BNA Citizens’ Trash Brigade continues monthly block walks, sun or snow! We pick a block to pick up trash along our sidewalks, and if there’s snow, we shovel! Every Baysider knows that although property owners are responsible for their sidewalks, when it snows there are always some stretches of sidewalk that don’t get shoveled, whether by ignorance, neglect or special needs. We know clear sidewalks are only good if the paths connect, so we’re committed to helping bridge the gaps, and we could use your help too. Meet 3pm Friday December 19th at 28 Portland Street.
If you’d like to hear more about the BNA’s Citizen Trash Brigade, email ctb@baysideportland.org
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