City of Portland Newsletter | January 14, 2026
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Play in the dirt! Join Portland Parks & Recreation, Friends of Trees and POIC Rosemary Anderson High School Natural Resources program to mulch and weed around recently planted native wildflowers and shrubs at the Columbia Slough Natural Area! Volunteer on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Did you know there are over 500 different species of bees native to Oregon? Planting native wildflowers helps support pollinators like bees and butterflies and improves habitat for local wildlife.
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In this issue
Most City of Portland offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Recreation centers may be open, check before you go.
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In July 2019, Portland City Council adopted the Central City 2035 Plan (CC2035). This plan engaged thousands of Portlanders in shaping the future of Portland’s downtown and surrounding areas.
Shortly after the CC2035 Plan was adopted, work and development patterns in the Central City started to shift—driven by the 2020 global pandemic. New challenges included the changing nature of how and where people work, the acute need for additional housing at all income levels, and the need to activate public spaces.
A new project – called the Central City Code Amendments Project – has launched to address some of these post-pandemic challenges, with a focus on housing production and economic recovery. Initial recommendations are available for public feedback.
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Twenty-two Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) volunteers were trained in levee inspection and debris removal by the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District (UFSWQ). The trained NET volunteers can now deploy with UFSWQD when Portland experiences high water events. Inspection during high water events is critical to ensure proper operation of the flood management system.
The City’s Independent Police Review has released an external review of ten completed deadly force investigations involving Portland Police Bureau officers. The review was conducted by outside experts from the Office of Independent Review Group and examines officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths that occurred between 2019 and 2022. The report provides an in-depth analysis of each incident and identifies recurring themes. The group made seven recommendations aimed at improving accountability, training, and decision-making. The report will be presented to City Council, where public testimony is accepted.
Data spotlight
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Portland Bureau of Transportation crews patched 9,286 potholes in 2025, helping to make Portland streets safer for people who walk, pedal, scoot, and drive. This work is possible thanks to voters, who resoundingly supported a renewal of Portland’s 10-cent per gallon gas tax-funded program, Fixing Our Streets, in May 2024. Paving operations, um, grind to a halt in winter months when conditions are wet and cold, and roar back to life in the spring.
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Portland Staycation: Winter Edition invites locals to experience a radiant celebration of art, light, food, and discovery during the Portland Winter Light Festival, happening over the first two weekends in February. Central City businesses, events, and attractions are invited to join this campaign. The deadline to sign up is Thursday, January 15, 2026.
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Looking to save water outdoors? Try planting more native plants, which require less water than most non-native plants. Not sure where to begin? Don’t panic! Get a head start with this guide to native plant sale season.
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New city-set rates for curbside collection of large items make it easier to get rid of broken furniture, old mattresses, and other waste that’s too big to fit in your garbage bin. Use our online calculator to estimate costs, call your garbage company to schedule a pickup, and your stuff will be whisked away from the curb within a week. Plus, find options for donating or giving away items in good condition.
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Winter is just around the corner, and you know what that means: the possibility of tree damage from ice and snow. Trees are resilient and can usually handle a little bit of winter weather. However, even the most resilient trees can benefit from some extra attention before the snow starts to fall.
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The Rental Services Office partners with community organizations and housing educators to offer free educational classes covering a variety of landlord-tenant law topics.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
- Central Precinct Administrative Supervisor (Supervisor I – Exempt)
- Contracting Analyst (Analyst II – CPPW)
- Environmental Technician II
- Fleet Administrative Specialist (Administrative Specialist II-CPPW)
- Industrial Maintenance Millwright
- Outreach and Engagement Advisor for Councilor Pirtle-Guiney (Council Aide)
- Public Works Deputy City Administrator Executive Assistant (Admin. Spec. III)
- Recreation Facility Technician
- Recreation Supervisor (Supervisor I (Exempt))
- Street Maintenance Coordinator III – CPPW
- Water Treatment Operator I
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Grants and funding
The Portland Housing Bureau seeks proposals from nonprofit organizations, community groups, coalitions, or fiscally sponsored projects that serve communities located in East Portland (east of I-205). This grant is designed to help local organizations grow, strengthen their operations, and support housing-related work, including building capacity, improving community outreach, and supporting education around housing topics.
Who’s Eligible: Community-based organizations.
Application Deadline: Applicants must register in WebGrants by January 16. Applications are due January 28 by noon.
Prosper Portland provides funding to property owners and small business owners who are in the process of negotiating a lease. Grant funds may be used for tenant improvements, space-related soft costs, and permitting support to ready space to open for business.
Who’s Eligible: Property owners and business owners in the Interstate Corridor TIF District and the Gateway Regional Center TIF District.
Application Deadline: Ongoing
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 What’s your favorite part of Portland‘s Waterfront Park? What would you add to the area if given the chance? Help shape the future of the Waterfront by joining the Waterfront Park Project Advisory Committee. Portland Parks and Recreation is seeking community feedback to support a national design competition focused on the Waterfront. A $500 stipend is offered to participants. Apply by Jan. 19. Learn more
You can also help shape the project future of Portland’s waterfront by taking the Central City Waterfront Urban Design Study Questionnaire. Questionnaire closes Jan. 16
Funding is requested to pay for required remediation work on the future park site. Portland Parks & Recreation is committed to build a developed neighborhood park on the site, located at NW Pettygrove St and NW 20th Ave.
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Portland City Council
The City Auditor’s Office has updated how you sign up to speak at City Council meetings to make it more predictable, consistent, and efficient. No more planning months ahead — registration now opens at 9:00 a.m. the Friday before each meeting.
Public communication sign-ups will now follow the same timeline as testimony on agenda items, making the process easier and more streamlined for everyone.
Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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Portland Parks & Recreation community centers, arts centers, and sports programs provide activities for all Portlanders. These recreation centers are open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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| Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible.
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me
Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711. |
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