City of Portland Newsletter | December 4, 2025
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Photo by Brian Borrello
This project’s history dates back to October 2006, when Portland’s City Council adopted Ordinance No. 180549, which renamed N and NE Portland Boulevard to Rosa Parks Way. In 2024, when the Office of Arts & Culture was created, it partnered with the Piedmont Neighborhood Association and neighbors across North and Northeast Portland to design artist-made sign toppers to reflect the street’s renaming and honor the legacy of Rosa Parks.
Following a neighborhood selection process, community members chose Smith—whose practice is grounded in deep research and influenced by thinkers like James Baldwin, Angela Davis, W.E.B Du Bois, Michelle Alexander, and Isabel Wilkerson—to design the sign toppers.
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The City of Portland announced that it has reached Mayor Keith Wilson’s ambitious goal of creating capacity for 1,500 emergency overnight shelter beds through a strategic blend of stable and flexible sleeping units. Watch Mayor Wilson’s video announcement.
Financing has closed at Jamii Court, meaning construction can now begin! This family-focused project from Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) brings 96 new affordable homes, studios to 4-bedrooms, to the West Portland Park neighborhood.
Raymond C. Lee brings nearly two decades of municipal leadership experience spanning Greeley, Colo., Dallas and Amarillo, Texas. The Portland City Council is expected to vote next week on the nomination to make him Portland’s first long-term city administrator.
Are you facing financial hardship? Find resources if you lost a job, lost benefits, or are just struggling to afford the cost of living. The City of Portland can help you save money on bills, transportation, and housing. This page also has links for food, shelter, eviction help, and more.
There will be two drone displays viewable from The Square, one at 9:00 pm and a final countdown drone show to usher in the New Year at midnight. The event will also feature a dance party presented by Video Dance Attack. Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the event.
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Support local artists at East Portland Community Center’s Art Bazaar, a community-based market featuring local artists, food, music, and more! Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Come join Rose City Self-Defense and the Safe Blocks Program in collaboration with Midland Library for an Introductory Personal Safety and Self-Defense workshop to learn the empowering skills to help keep yourself and your young ones safe and strong! Snacks provided for all attendees. Dec. 17
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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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Help Portland Fire & Rescue’s Toy and Joy Makers, founded in 1914, to help provide Portland’s families in need with toys, books, and other gifts during the winter holiday season.
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Join the City of Portland for a virtual panel on shaping Oregon’s digital future—exploring digital rights, access, privacy, and responsible technology use to ensure innovation serves the public good. Dec. 10
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The Urban Forestry team is giving away 4,000 trees this season for Portlanders to plant on their private property. There are still hundreds available!
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New job openings at the City of Portland
Because of a budget shortfall, the City will impose a hiring freeze on most jobs starting October 1. There will be some exceptions. And positions that are open now will stay open until they’re filled. So check out our listings and apply today.
Featured job
Bureau of Emergency Communications Director (Director I): The City of Portland is seeking an experienced and innovative Director to lead the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC). BOEC serves as the central link between the community and emergency service providers by answering 9-1-1 and non-emergency public safety calls, triaging for proper response, and dispatching appropriate police, fire, medical, and alternate response. The bureau consists of more than 160 union and non-union employees across multiple divisions.
More jobs
- Clean Energy Fund, Grantmaking and Capacity Building Manager (Coordinator III)
- Council Policy Analyst
- Deputy Controller (Manager I)
- Historic and Cultural Resources Compliance Coordinator (Coordinator III – CPPW) – Limited Duration
- Project and Partnerships Coordinator (Coordinator III – CPPW) – Limited Duration
- Transportation Demand Management Specialist I
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Grants and funding
Commercial construction projects that are planning demolition of an existing building may qualify for incentives to promote material reuse versus recycling and landfill waste. The grants incentivizes reuse of materials through building clean out, fixtures skim, deconstruction, or structure moves.
The Portland Housing Bureau is offering funding to support capacity building for organizations that promote home sharing. This grant is intended to help organizations grow, strengthen their operations, and provide services to homeowners either engaging in or preparing to engage in home sharing activities. The goal is to ensure that more homeowners and tenants can successfully engage in home sharing, including expanding the number of home sharing units in Portland.
Who’s Eligible: Nonprofit organizations, community groups, coalitions, or fiscally sponsored projects
Application Deadline: Applicants must register in advance in WebGrants by December 12. Applications are due Wednesday, December 17 at 12:00 p.m.
Prosper Portland offers matching, reimbursable grants that help businesses and property owners make tenant improvements and small and large-scale improvements to new and existing buildings.
Who’s Eligible: Businesses and property owners in the following TIF Districts: Central Eastside, Gateway Regional Center, Interstate Corridor, Lents Town Center, Old Town, and North Macadam.
Application Deadline: Ongoing
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Give us your feedback
Through Portland’s Transportation System Development Charge (TSDC) program, developers pay a one-time fee that the City invests in transportation projects. These projects open up opportunities for new housing and jobs, give people more affordable travel options, and support our climate and safety goals. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) updates the TSDC program every 10 years to reflect Portland’s current needs and future growth patterns. PBOT will engage with community members, technical experts, and the development community to shape the 2027 update. For more information and to sign up for the mailing list, visit: Portland.gov/TSDC-Update
A community forum with the Mayor and City leaders marking year one of Portland’s new form of government and its impact on public safety. Dec. 8
The Office of Arts & Culture will launch a new grant program next summer to provide Operating Support for local arts organizations. Prior to that, community members can share their thoughts on the program’s proposed guidelines. Ends April 1, 2026
The proposed amendments will further limit capacity expansion at the CEI Hub with revisions to City policies and code. New regulations will require a 20 percent reduction of fuel storage capacity by 2036. You are invited to submit testimony for a Planning Commission hearing on Dec. 16.
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Serve on a board or committee
The Urban Forestry Commission is comprised of 11 community members who play a crucial advisory role in managing Portland’s trees, influencing policies related to the city’s urban forest plan, budget proposals, and more. If you’re passionate about preserving, protecting, and expanding Portland’s Urban Forest, this is a great opportunity for you. It also acts as an appeals board for certain tree permits, nominates new and approves removal of Heritage Trees, and plays a significant role in updates to the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan. Apply by Dec. 8, 2025
The Design Commission provides leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture and advances the purpose of the Design overlay zone. It supports development that builds on context, contributes to the public realm, and provides high quality and resilient buildings and public spaces. It also helps develop design guidelines for design districts and provides advice to other City Bureaus and Regional Government Partners. Deadline extended to Dec. 14, 2025
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Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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Featured events
December 6 and 7, Saturday and Sunday
December 14 – 21, Sunday to Sunday
Free events
Volunteer events
For Portland Parks & Recreation planting and park clean up volunteer events, check the volunteer event filter. |
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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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Your Portland moment
Need some relaxing sounds to de-stress? Recently, the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services posted a soothing video of the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant, featuring cascading weirs, rhythmic water cannons, and the gentle ripple of the secondary clarifiers. Hit play, take a deep breath, and put your mind at ease knowing that our reliable infrastructure is protecting public health and the environment every hour of every day.
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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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