The Bayside Neighborhood Association Welcome Team invites one and all to the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center at 24 Preble Street, Portland ME for a SAMOSA SOCIAL — bring a favorite recipe to share if you like, or just come and enjoy!
Tuesday night the BNA board met for their monthly meeting, reviewing team reports and how they align with the BNA strategic vision. We also welcomed as a special guest newly elected Senator Rachel Talbot-Ross, who provided a legislative report and fielded questions about the state of the State. The Senator emphasized how our neighborhood is affected by politics at every level of government, and offered her support and continued advocacy. We’ll be hearing from Senator Talbot-Ross on a regular basis and she can be reached via email at Rachel.TalbotRoss@legislature.maine.gov any time.
Thanks to the BAYsideBEEs Team working to add fun to every BNA event, the board capped the evening with a map challenge game, shown in the photo. Thought-provoking and laugh-inducing, we’re looking forward to similar team-building activities in the future.
Here’s a link to the BNA Teams Report as presented to the board:
Here’s a copy of the Board meeting agenda:
Here’s a copy of the Strategic Vision overview:
A small but enthusiastic group of local business owners braved the snow this morning to meet for the first Bayside Business Breakfast Club event at Isa Bistro, hosted by Chef Isa and Suzie St. Pierre. Also in attendance was Sam Dooley of Maine Clay Collaborative, Stacy Begin of Two Fat Cats Bakery, Kendra Haskell of The Knickerbocker Group, and Peter Leavitt of Leavitt & Sons Deli.
Topics included wayfinding signs, neighborhood branding, collaboration with Creative Portland, Portland Downtown, Chamber of Commerce, and other local organizations, pedestrian safety, connection to the downtown district, and more. We talked about modes of communication and online organization, but all agreed that nothing beats getting together in real life and making the personal connections that make Bayside a vibrant and welcoming community. So… we’re doing it again next month! In February we’ll meet at Two Fat Cats Bakery, and look forward to growing together. If you’re a Bayside business owner and would like to join us, reach out to breakfastclub@baysideportland.org and let us know what days/times work best and we’ll keep you in the loop.
There was standing room only on January 27th at the Press Hotel where developers explained plans for a 3,300 seat Live-Nation music and entertainment venue. The new construction project proposed for the corner of Cumberland Avenue and Myrtle Street is in the planning board workshop phase, seeking board approval. Several folks in the arts and entertainment industry spoke in opposition to this venue for reasons including its size (trumping many smaller venues), the owner’s alleged history of monopolization tactics, and lack of a current market large enough to support an additional venue of this size. Some residents in Bayside are in favor of the concept and proposed execution of the project with regard to impact on the neighborhood. Others in Bayside expressed concerns over traffic congestion and the lack of adequate parking for residents here that is already a serious issue. Portland’s latest recode deems this project exempt from providing parking on site.
The BNA is committed to being a public clearinghouse of information about developments that affect our neighborhood, amplifying the voices of our neighbors, and facilitating a constructive dialogue to serve the greater good. To that end we’ll be following news and posting updates as this proposal goes through its paces with the planning board. Tell us what you think.
More information on the project is available on the city of portland website here: https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/
Here is a Portland Press Herald article on the project: https://www.pressherald.com/2024/12/20/developers-propose-new-3300-seat-music-venue-in-downtown-portland/
This post will be updated as new information is available.
April 1, 2025 Update: The BNA board approved the following statement regarding the development:
The BNA Citizens’ Trash Brigade and the BAYsideBEEs volunteer corps teamed up to tackle un-shoveled sections of sidewalk on Parris Street this morning. Portland landowners outside of the Downtown District are responsible for sidewalk snow removal, and most of them do their civic duty, but as any Portland pedestrian will tell you, any stretch of sidewalk is only as good as its weakest link. There’s a reason for each forgotten patch of snow and ice of course—but instead of complaining about it, we got out there and got it done. Thanks to everyone who participated, and thanks to Wilson BBQ for offering a discount on our afterglow!
Lots going on in Bayside, and the BNA teams are rising to meet the moment. If you want to join a team, just send an email to any of the groups below, and a team lead will get back to you asap. If you have an idea for a team and want to get it started, we want to hear from you. Let’s do it!
The Tech Team is working on better communication pathways for the general membership, including mailchimp, which will allow us to send targeted email news and allow subscribers to tailor how they receive updates from various teams. We’re also now using google workspace to organize teams into google groups that can share files, calendar events, to-do lists, plus follow and archive conversations by topic within each team and between teams. Setting up the groups in a way that is simple to use but powerful enough to keep track of team tasks and communications, calendar events, shared files and important links has proven to be a challenge, but worthwhile. If you have experience and/or interest in admin tools please consider joining the tech team and helping us out.
Recent News
December’s Safe Streets Meeting was met with a strong response from the community and from the media. Troy Bennett from Bangor Daily News was in attendance and wrote this article about the effort and subsequently WCSH6 Newscenter Maine picked up the story as did WGME CBS13 shown below. The next Safe Streets Team meeting will be Tuesday, February 25th, 6:00pm in the Steve Hirshon Community Room at Unity Village, 24 Stone Street, Portland.
If you missed last month’s BNA Board meeting on zoom, you can view a recording of it here:
BNA Board Meeting January 7 2025 See below for details on the next board meeting.
Upcoming Events
Saturday January 25, 11am
BNA Citizens’ Trash Brigade
Parris Street Block Walk
UPDATE: With the recent snowfall we’re pivoting to salt & sand for sidewalks on Parris Street, which has several spots that need attention. We’ll provide buckets of sand & salt from the city lot, shovels and a few ice choppers. If you have an ice chopper please bring it! We’ll warm up afterward at Wilson BBQ.
OP: We’re coming together for a short pickup party targeting Preble Street in particular, focusing on bits and butts that get overlooked during the Spring & Fall cleanup, and also to get eyes on the street to take stock of the pedestrian experience, flag infrastructure concerns, and to get to know each other. Afterward we’re planning to gather at Wilson BBQ to warm up, wind down, and plan for next month’s block walk. We’ll meet at 72 Parris Street and walk together. Trash bags and gloves provided.
Monday January 27, 6:00pm
Portland Music Hall Presentation
Composing Room @ Press Hotel
119 Exchange St, Portland, ME
The BNA Development Developments Team invites Baysiders to attend a public presentation by Portland Performance Ventures, LLC on their proposal for a 3,300-seat Live Nation music venue at the site of the old Press Herald printing press building across Myrtle Street from the Merrill Auditorium in Bayside. More information on the project is available on the city of portland website here: https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/
Wednesday January 29, 8:30am
Bayside Business Breakfast Club
Isa Bistro, 79 Portland St. Portland, ME
The Bayside Neighborhood Association is starting 2025 with a renewed commitment to connecting with diverse stakeholders and providing opportunities for community members to come together in pursuit of shared goals. To that end, we’re excited to present the first of what will be monthly events specifically for Bayside business owners to meet in an informal setting to meet, chat, and plan a better future for all Baysiders.
RSVP here to get an invitation: https://forms.gle/hWHtLfRxynBA2NrYA
Next BNA Board Meeting: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 6:00pm in the Steve Hirshon Community Room at Unity Village, 24 Stone Street. Open to the public. Please email info@baysideportland.org for more information. Check our community calendar often for updates and more events.
http://www.baysideportland.org
Mission Statement:
“The Bayside Neighborhood Association (BNA) empowers the Bayside community by building meaningful partnerships that promote health, safety, green spaces, diversity, housing, and sustainable development for all who live, work, and play in this unique urban neighborhood.”
We need your help! Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the BNA, a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Contact Jim Hall, treasurer for more information at jim@baysideportland.org
Join us online Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 6pm EST
The BNA board of directors meets on the first Tuesday of every month. Meetings are held virtually through zoom on odd-numbered months, and meetings are held in-person on even-numbered months. The public is welcome to attend. Membership in the Bayside Neighborhood Association is open to all who live, work and play in our neighborhood. The agenda for board meetings is set by the board prior to each meeting.
Click here to download the agenda: JANUARY 2025 BNA BOARD MEETING AGENDA
Bayside Neighborhood Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85882219531
Meeting ID: 858 8221 9531
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Meeting ID: 858 8221 9531
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdkEBYUaIc
BNA Rules of Conduct
All Board members, guests, and meeting attendees shall behave with respect and civility
during all meetings, events, and activities. This shall apply to both in-person and electronic
forums. Behavior which may be ruled out of order includes but is not limited to the following:
• Interruptions of Board members, guests, or attendees who have been given the floor to
speak to the group.
• Badgering, bullying, or harassing comments or behaviors directed at other people.
Enforcement of Rules of Conduct
During meetings:
• Board members, guests, and meeting attendees who violate rules of conduct will be given a
verbal warning by the Chair.
• Any person who receives one verbal warning from the Chair during the meeting will be asked
to leave after a 2nd incident; or, in an electronic forum, they will be removed by the host after
a 2nd incident.
• Any person ejected from a meeting will be banned from the subsequent meeting.
• Any person ejected from two meetings in a calendar year will be permanently banned.
Adopted May 4, 2021
Happy New Year!
— the BNA board
Happy Holidays from the BNA! We’ve been working hard to increase capacity and drum up support for a number of initiatives central to our mission, and aligned with our stated community priorities for 2025. We’re looking for more engagement from the community at large as we build new teams and renew our lasting commitments. Here are some highlights:
We have a new Bayside Community Garden Team leader! Holly Picotte has been a great asset as a fellow gardener, volunteer, and crew member and is steeping up to manage and administer the BNA garden. She can be reached through email at garden@baysideportland.org or by filling out the form on our website here: https://baysideportland.org/bayside-community-garden-signup/ We’ll also be posting again in the springtime on instagram @baysidecommunitygarden
We have a new Safe Streets Team, inspired by the dialogue at our December 17th meeting with Mayor Dion, Chief Dubois, Midtown Community Policing and many residents and business owners. Our new neighbors Bowman and Anna Brown of Elda have stepped up to lead the team and keep the momentum going. You can contact them at safestreets@baysideportland.org As always, the BNA continues to advocate for the safety and dignity of all residents, workers, and visitors.
Development developments continue to develop in Bayside, and the Development Team is on top of it! We’re following the following proposals for new construction projects in our neighborhood:
• 3300-seat music venue at Myrtle Street & Cumberland Ave
• 48-unit “housing first” project by Avesta at former Oxford Street shelter site
• Childcare center with 50-units of affordable family housing at Youth & Family Outreach
and of course we’ll continue to monitor the ongoing master development plan by Reveler including the apartments at 89 Elm St. which recently broke ground, and the still stalled Federated Co. Midtown project, among others. Learn more and get involved by emailing development@baysideportland.org
The BNA is also very much involved with the exciting new project at Justin Alfond’s 72 Parris Street property, which he is generously gifting to the community, forming a steering committee including BNA board members, residents, and other stakeholders to determine the best use of the former Fork Food Lab site. Check out this video of the first planning stage: 72 Parris Street Project
In other news: Meet the BAYsideBEEs!
The BAYsideBEEs volunteer corps is the brainchild of longtime Bayside artist in residence Deirdre Paul. Deirdre hopes to add “more fun” to everything we get done. From street cleanups to community meals, block parties, greening and educational programming, the BAYsideBEEs will be there to help, and we need your help to make that happen! Contact us at volunteer@baysideportland.org Working on hats too!
Citizens’ Trash Brigade — Our ongoing volunteer activities have always included a spring and fall neighborhood cleanup. We’re already planning our spring cleanup and raffle on April 19, 2025, and need a big turnout to cover every street. Another new neighbor, Megan Holt has suggested forming the BNA Citizens’ Trash Brigade. Great idea Megan, let’s do it! In addition to our spring and fall cleanups, the CTB is planning monthly targeted cleanups, one block at a time, where we stick together instead of spreading out. The first one will be Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11am to Pickup Preble Street, weather permitting. We’ll meet at the 72 Parris Street parking lot, gloves and bags provided, hot drinks afterward. Contact us at CTB@baysideportland.org for more information.
(above) Volunteers and staff for the Wayside Food Programs’ Community Lunch at 409 Cumberland Avenue. Mondays noon-1pm, starting again after the holidays on January 6th. All are welcome.
SELECTED HOLIDAY EVENTS:
APOHADIAN THEATRE
https://apohadiontheater.org/Upcoming-Events
Dec 20-22 — Experimental Santa feat. BonBon Boys, all ages
Dec 31st — New Year’s Eve show feat. Eniam and others, all ages
BATSON RIVER BREWING
https://batsonriver.com/calendar/list/
Dec 23, 30 — Reindeer Games
Dec 25 — Movie Night
Dec 24, 31 — Spirit of Giving – Toys for Tots drive
BAYSIDE BOWL
New Year’s Eve — Masta Killa and others, all ages
MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
https://www.mainehistory.org/whats-on/
Dec 21st — Comfort and Joy: Tour the Wadsworth-Longfellow House decorated for a 19th century Christmas.
MERRILL AUDITORIUM
Dec 20-22 — Portland Symphony – Magic Of Christmas
Dec 23, 30 — Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ – Christmas with Kennerley
PORTLAND STAGEThru Dec 24 — The Snow Queen
Next BNA Board Meeting: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 6pm online using zoom. Open to the public. Please email info@baysideportland.org for an invitation and link. Check our community calendar often for updates
http://www.baysideportland.org
Mission Statement:
“The Bayside Neighborhood Association (BNA) empowers the Bayside community by building meaningful partnerships that promote health, safety, green spaces, diversity, housing, and sustainable development for all who live, work, and play in this unique urban neighborhood.”
We need your help! Please consider a tax-deductible year-end donation to the BNA, a 501c(3) non-profit organization. Contact Jim Hall, treasurer for more information at treasurer@baysideportland.org
Dozens of Bayside neighbors, friends and interested parties gathered at Two Fat Cats Bakery on Lancaster Street on Tuesday to brainstorm ideas and discuss next steps for the community design project for Justin Alfond’s property at 72 Parris Street, the former location of Fork Food Labs. Community organizer Jonah Fertig-Burd facilitated a workgroup session exploring priorities and possibilities, and introduced a steering committee, including members of the BNA board, to bring the project forward. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting opportunity.
Steering Committee Members:
Tuesday, December 17th, 1pm
in the Steve Hirshon Community Room at Unity Village, 24 Stone Street Portland
Please help us help our neighbors who have recently experienced violent assaults in our cherished community. We’re committed to making sure all our residents, visitors, and workers feel safe walking the streets of Bayside at any hour. It is vitally important to raise our voices together against violence of any kind. We’ll be joined by Jennifer Rogers of Midtown Community Policing who will talk us through the current situation on the street, the history of violent crime in the city, and the responses and solutions at hand. Everyone is welcome to attend and encouraged to speak their mind. We want to hear your struggles, your ideas, and your hopes for the future of Bayside. For more information reach out to info@baysideportland.org
Thanks for being part of the solution!
Here’s a report put together by Safe Streets Team board liaison Deborah Van Hoewyk:
