PORTLAND — When the Portland Public Library opened its doors 150 years ago, then-Mayor Charles Chapman saw the institution as “a home of true democracy” that could foster “an atmosphere of philosophy, knowledge and fancy.” Today, “freedom and inclusiveness remain core (library) values,” said Sarah Campbell, the institution’s executive director. “It’s an honor to lead it.” […]

PORTLAND — Peter Wool was knuckle-deep in bicycle spokes as he considered the future of West Bayside on April 12. “I like there being a kind of industrial part of town,” he said. “It is kind of untouched, ungentrified.” Wool and Karyn Jenkins have owned Port City Bikes for almost seven years at 82 Parris St., […]

PORTLAND — For some local homeowners at the start of the 20th century, the American dream was delivered via the U.S Postal Service. Kit homes, which arrived by mail, made home ownership a reality for many Americans: the homes were economical, easy to assemble, and could be built in any corner of the country. In […]

PORTLAND — Mayor Ethan Strimling has renewed his effort to change the city’s tax increment financing policies with a list of amendments presented Tuesday to city councilors. “If we are going to provide tax breaks for corporations, we ought to ensure that the projects provide more of a benefit to our community,” Strimling said in […]

PORTLAND — Zoning changes sought to redevelop Camelot Farm, the largest parcel of open space in the city, will have a Planning Board public hearing and recommendation in the near future. Board members did not set a hearing date at their April 13 workshop on the changes for 1700-1714 Westbrook St., but all present signaled they […]

PORTLAND — A bus shelter on Allen Avenue will be re-imagined and reconstructed with the help of a micro grant from America Walks, a national organization dedicated to walkable communities. The stop made headlines earlier this year when four black students were verbally and physically assaulted in what police called a hate crime. Authorities later […]

PORTLAND — Several teams from city schools could be headed to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at the end of May – if they can raise enough money to get there. The teams earning an invitation to the competition this spring are from Lincoln Middle School, Lyman Moore Middle School and Lyseth Elementary […]

PORTLAND — Natural gas utility Unitil expects to reach the midpoint of a 14-year modernization of the city’s gas infrastructure this summer. The utility will begin gas main replacements this week on Stevens Avenue, between Crosby Street and Pleasant Avenue, it said in a press release. In early summer, Unitil plans to replace mains on Ocean Avenue […]

PORTLAND — The School Board approved a $105 million budget Monday for fiscal year 2018. The vote was 7-2, with Laurie Davis and Holly Seeliger opposed. The spending package now goes to the City Council for its review and will be sent to voters in a city-wide referendum, scheduled for June 13. Although the majority […]