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We are excited to see Laurelhurst Studio reopen through a public-private partnership with Sellwood Community House. Portland Parks & Recreation and the City of Portland welcome this reactivation of a beloved resource at Laurelhurst Park. Sellwood Community House will invest private funds and in-kind support to restore the historic studio, assume operations and programming, and maintain the space for community use.
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Photo: Dennis Weis (www.dennisweisfire.photography)
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A collapsed parking garage. A survivor trapped under tons of concrete. No way in. No way out. Firefighters arrive on scene. The clock is ticking.
Portland Fire & Rescue conducted a training drill last month to prepare for this dramatic scenario, teaming up with trauma surgeons at Oregon Health and Science University and an ambulance crew from American Medical Response. The drill, hosted at Portland Fire's training campus in NE Portland, required the teams to work in close coordination, using all their skill and ingenuity to perform a successful rescue.
One rescuer crawled through a pipe to reach the trapped survivor. However, the pipe was too narrow to use as an escape route.
Rescuers used high-powered saws to cut an escape hatch in a slab of concrete to create an escape route for the survivor.
Portland Fire's technical rescue team arrived at the simulation to find a three-level underground parking garage that had collapsed, trapping an individual in a pocket of space deep inside. The entrance was blocked by tons of concrete rubble.
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City crews closed Southwest Main Street between Southwest 3rd and 4th avenues to assess minor damage to the Thompson Elk Fountain caused by a vehicle collision when a truck trailer struck the corner of the fountain. Stone was chipped and surface oil staining occurred where the trailer collided. The fountain remains structurally intact and sound.
A team from the Bureau of Technology Services accepted the 2026 Digital Transformation Award from Code for America, a national nonprofit that works with governments to better serve their communities. The award recognizes the Digital Service's 2025 work with Portland Permitting & Development to improve the City's permitting website.
Portland Police safely recovered six teenage girls being sex trafficked on the 82nd Avenue corridor, helping them with support and care to get away from their traffickers. This is a stunning number, significantly higher than the norm. The girls, girls, aged 13 to 17 years old, were connected with advocates and services through the bureau's Victim Services and Safety Compass. Police also coordinated with the Oregon Department of Human Services to help the girls reunite with parents or be placed into care, as appropriate.
The Mayor's Central City Roundtable convened last week for its second meeting amid signals pointing to increased workplace activity and renewed investment across Portland's Central City: OnPoint Community Credit Union celebrated the opening of its new 17,000-square-feet branch in downtown Portland; Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon signed a long-term lease for its expanded headquarters at 200 SW Market St.; and accounting firm Geffen Mesher & Co. signed a long term lease for 30,000 square feet.
National Youth Violence Prevention Week took place April 27-May 2, 2026 as a national observance to promote awareness, prevention, and community engagement to address youth violence. In Portland, the Office of Violence Prevention convened youth, schools, community-based organizations, and public partners to provide youth with tools to support conflict resolution, personal safety, and positive decision-making.
Reports
Bringing someone from unsheltered homelessness into housing isn't a straightforward process. We want to share some wins from our providers that share the usually hidden victories within the housing process. From documents to jobs--it all matters on the journey to stability. We are serving over 1,000 people every night, and each of them are moving forward on their individual goals.
Proclamations
2026 Jewish American Heritage Month
The City of Portland recognizes that the Jewish people have helped shape American history, culture, and society, including in Portland, while acknowledging the need to stand against antisemitism in all forms.
2026 Mental Health Awareness Month
The City of Portland City supports mental health awareness as an important social movement to help people with mental health disabilities understand that they are not alone in their experience.
2026 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Day of Awareness
The City of Portland commemorates the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives whose cases are both documented and undocumented in the media and public records and demonstrate solidarity with families of the victims in light of those tragedies.
In the headlines
City of Portland announces public safety leadership transition
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Urban Forestry is piloting a new Tree Care Assistance Program for qualified low-income property owners. This pilot program is serving as the research and development phase as we work to build and refine this program, and we are looking for participants!
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Whether you live, work, or play in Portland, here is what you need to know about Portland’s policy to phase out gas leaf blower use. Printable information sheets for property owners and landscapers are available./ Hay disponibles páginas informativas imprimibles para dueños propiedades y profesionales del paisajismo.
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The City of Portland seeks artists to create temporary projects for PBOT Street Plazas. Selected artists can take a variety of approaches, including temporary sculptures, ephemeral and ecological artworks, ephemeral 2D works (such as chalk drawings or posters), socially engaged projects or social practices or events. Apply by June 1!
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Litter cleanups, resource fairs, and personal safety workshops are happening in Portland throughout May. Find an event near you!
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Preschool for All has more seats available than ever: more than 7,000 tuition-free seats allocated for the next school year. No income restrictions. Available for every Multnomah County 3 and 4 year old, regardless of income, race, gender, zip code, etc. Applications open until May 14.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
New job openings
- Applications Analyst IV - Web Applications & Integrations Lead (App Analyst IV - Generalist)
- BES Operations & Maintenance Student Internship (CSAII)
- BES Strategy & Integrated Planning Student Internship (CSAII)
- Policy and Program Coordinator (Housing Program Coordinator)
- Portland Street Response Mental Health Crisis Responder I
- Portland Street Response Program Manager (Manager I)
- Public Works Business Services Analyst (Financial Analyst II - CPPW)
- Street Tree Maintenance Coordinator (Coordinator II - CPPW)
How to Apply Session
Curious about working for the City of Portland, but not sure where to start? Come join us for an interactive webinar where we'll walk you through the basics and share some helpful tips along the way. To learn more and find upcoming sessions check out our website here.
Next Session: Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (PST)
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Grants and funding
Funded by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, planning grants support organizations in conducting assessments or planning needed to develop a full project proposal. Implementation grants can be used for projects that advance economic, social, and climate justice. The 2026 Community Grants funding cycle will offer up to $60 million across all grant types and funding areas. Funding limits (grant caps) vary based on the type of project proposed.
Who's Eligible: 501(c) and 521(a) nonprofit entities
Application Deadline: May 27, 2026 at 5:00 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
A series of four community listening sessions – one in each district – were held to help shape the future of the City of Portland budget. But it's not too late to share your ideas!
Submit Written Testimony to City Council
Community members are invited to provide year-round written comments related to the City of Portland's budget, these comments will be shared with City Council members and leadership and included in the public record.
Provide testimony at City Council Meeting
Community members are invited to provide testimony (in person or virtually) on specific Council agenda items related to the budget process. Pre-registration is required.
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The Proposed Draft of the Central City Code Amendments Project aims to address post-pandemic challenges facing Portland's Central City, focused on the need for more housing and facilitating economic recovery and revitalization. This proposal integrates feedback from the previous draft, informed by outreach to nearly 20 different neighborhoods, virtual open house discussions, community and business group presentations, and interviews with property owners and developers. You are invited to submit testimony at the Planning Commission hearing on the project scheduled on May 26, 2026.
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Serve on a board or committee
Do you live or work in East Portland? Want to help shape the future of the city? Consider joining the Community Involvement Committee! We are recruiting for two representatives of District 1. The Community Involvement Committee advises on community engagement practices for our planning projects that shape a wide range of policies – from housing and economic development to environmental protection and historic preservation. Applications are due May 31.
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Portland City Council
Portland City Council will hold a series of work sessions and hearings this spring as it begins deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2026‑27 budget. The schedule outlines more than a dozen meetings stretching from early April through mid‑June.
On Wednesday, May 6, Portland City Council will consider changes to Portland's arts tax as part of its regular agenda. These reforms are co-sponsored by Council President Jamie Dunphy and Councilors Elana Pirtle-Guiney and Tiffany Koyama-Lane.
The current arts tax, which funds arts education and local arts organizations, has several long-standing issues: it is a regressive tax, with an onerous exemption process for low-income filers; it is imminently insolvent due primarily to inflation; and it is inadequately governed, with funds not always allocated where they would be most impactful. Proposed arts tax reforms make meaningful improvements to each of these problems.
Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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Administrative rule review notice
Revenue Division is opening public comment on proposed adoption and amendments to administrative rules for its collection and foreclosure process, residential rental registration and fee, and property management license fee penalty waiver.
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Join the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) for a fun, family-friendly bike ride exploring bikeways connecting two Southeast libraries. Spot some Bike to Books art along the way! Stay after the ride to fill out your Bike to Books design sheet.
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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
Then: Portland Fire opening night, May 31, 2000
The Portland City Archives does not collect many objects, but check out this original basketball commemorating the opening night of the original Portland Fire WNBA basketball team. The inaugural season kicked off against the Houston Comets in 2000, but the team folded after three seasons.
Now: Portland Fire opening night, May 9, 2026
We’re excited for Opening Night of the new Portland Fire women’s team this Saturday, May 9, 2026!
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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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