Washington Park Summer Festival returns with world-class entertainment 

Portland Parks & Recreation continues another amazing series of Summer Free for All events featuring the return of the Washington Park Summer Festival. The two-day event and all the wildly popular free summertime programs are made possible by the voter-approved Parks Local Option Levy and by countless community partners and volunteers. August 8 – 9 

Innovative jobs, cleanup program in Portland wins national award 

The City of Portland celebrated a national award for GLITTER, an innovative workforce partnership between the City and Ground Score Association that helps unhoused neighbors get back on their feet – while cleaning up public spaces. The $275,000 award comes from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and American Beverage. 

"What GLITTER does is to give people hope, and make them feel like they're not forgotten," said Angela McGuire, GLITTER program manager. "We are here to help people regain their stability, regain their self-confidence, and to rebuild themselves. That's what we do. We're not just here to clean up trash." 

Read more about the award and watch a video about GLITTER. 

Affordable housing: Legin Commons Has Opened 

124 new affordable homes have opened in Montavilla! Legin Commons, a new development from Our Just Future, Edlen & Co. and APANO, is located next to the Portland Community College Southeast Campus and includes 63 2+ bedroom units for families with children and 20 units for extremely low-income households. 

Automated Vehicles Update: Read the new report that summarizes the public feedback on PBOT's draft automated vehicle rules 

Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) received over 220 comments on proposed rule updates to regulate the testing and for-hire operation of automated vehicles during the public feedback period. The summary report shares key themes in the feedback, including safety, accountability and enforcement, impacts to other modes, and more. 

Construction begins at Portland’s future CityFleet Maintenance Facility on Swan Island 

Work began last month on Cutter Garage, future home of Portland’s CityFleet major maintenance operation. When construction is complete late next year, CityFleet will relocate from the century-old Kerby Garage to a safer, more efficient facility designed to support the City’s growing electric fleet. 

New smooth pavement is coming to SE Division Street, and businesses will remain open, during full and partial road closures through Sept. 10 

With the SE Division Street Repaving Project, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will replace pavement from SE Cesar Chavez Blvd to SE 50th Avenue that is wavy, cracked and uneven with new, smooth asphalt that should prevent potholes for years to come. The work requires a full road closure this weekend, Aug. 1-3, and more lane and full closures through Sept. 10. Businesses will remain open during the project. Nearly all the corridor will have sidewalks open and accessible, except for times when the corner at SE 50th will be rebuilt. For updates, and to sign up for email reminders, check the project website SE Division Street Repaving Project. 

Bike Registration encouraged by the City 

The Portland Police Bureau and the Portland Bureau of Transportation are encouraging Portlanders to help protect themselves from bicycle theft this summer and offering help to interested riders to quickly register their bikes. 

Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Long-range Planning Project Updates (July 2026) 

See what happened, what’s coming next, and how to participate on long-range city planning projects in Portland. 

Eligible arts organizations are invited to apply for Operating Support Grants 

Eligible organizations can apply now for two years of unrestricted operating support as part of the Operating Support Grants program. Grant awards will range from $25,000 to $145,000 annually, with award amounts determined by factors outlined in the grant guidelines. 

To be eligible, arts organizations must have a minimum budget of $150,000, three years of history providing arts experiences in Portland—including services for K-12 students and people in underserved communities—and meet other eligibility requirements described in the grant guidelines. Applications due Sept. 11, 2026

Learn more on our website or register to attend the August 4 virtual information session from 2:00-3:00 p.m. 

Inform the plans that lead to federal housing dollars 

To secure federal entitlement funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Portland Consortium must have an approved five-year Consolidated Plan and annual Action Plan. This HUD funding encompasses its formula block grant programs, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). Your input will help inform these local plans. Comment through August 5, 2026. 

The Portland Committee for Community-Engaged Policing is composed of 13 community members who volunteer their time to advise the Mayor and the Portland Police Bureau; to independently assess the City of Portland’s Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); and to develop policies and assess the bureau’s community engagement efforts. This is a volunteer (non-paid) position. Continuous

The Council Documents webpage provides the community with easy access to current and upcoming legislation under consideration by City Council. Visitors can search and filter items by Councilor, Committee, City department, scheduled date, and more – making it simpler than ever to stay informed about City business. 

Not sure what district you’re in?  

Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.