[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85,97,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6513205,"mediaKeyId","5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1","parentId",5075150,"title","Childcare RFP for Baron Center paused for further review; committee requests workforce and licensing detail","audioSeconds",6072,"startMs",4560000,"endMs",10632000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1&start=4560&end=10632","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1/thumbnail_4560000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6513205/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Childcare-RFP-for-Baron-Center-paused-for-further-review-committee-requests-workforce-and-licensing-detail","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513205-d5ffa41ced6e99a24cdb38514eef1433/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192381&Signature=J-6gv01j4LXuEnjA48sJ86iCqAetuhapcYbJwJ2rMghhr1kPO9iYjHtWqXLsPB7xudHHFpSC0gZQ7GRTmF2EOZSPTq79-3Bi~49k1m5vph3gNMdSJONlV5Yj7GwigO~35jPXL4pNGJ6lYd9yy0531rpWm-sjcDzQEywar3iZSGttHWmnfiMvpbczMFtlQ6qOO2ePtZWulhq2KwXhDgO4RdkledY2prpUdTfkngfGZrrlFh2NehrNk8RCNZBEZQZ17VJVNKSBRR40hC63Mf-vKwudbS-qsqGUaDv2iSl3gVZDnwZ34kAjwS6N2OH99vNhGxt~wM5ZUvvhY2dx4j~usg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Portland, ME","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","Housing and Economic Development staff presented a draft request for proposals (RFP) on June 11 to lease most of Baron Center 2 at 1125 Brighton Ave for a licensed childcare center serving children 0–5. The RFP would prefer an operator that reserves 50% of newly created seats for City of Portland employees, requires that the operator accept state child-care reimbursement programs, and asks respondents to propose rent and timelines. Staff said the city prefers a private, state-licensed operator and hopes the respondent would require minimal city capital support for licensing-related buildout.

Committee discussion raised multiple operational concerns: members and public commenters emphasized that staffing — not space — is the prevailing constraint in Portland’s childcare sector. Councilor Sara McNevich and others said the city should avoid unintentionally poaching staff from existing providers or standing up a center that cannot staff to licensing ratios. Staff said they had confirmed the site could meet indoor/outdoor square-footage licensing requirements and would include floor plans and require site visits as part of the RFP.

Other discussion points included whether the city should: (1) require minimum teacher experience or pay scales in the RFP; (2) include an explicit nondiscrimination/EEO statement and equity preferences; (3) consider partnership with the Office of Elder Affairs for intergenerational programming (Foster Grandparent program); and (4) specify nutritional-plan or food-program expectations. Public comment from a long-standing Portland provider emphasized the high cost of retrofits (outdoor play space and licensing-driven changes) and the sector’s workforce and ratio-driven challenges.

Motion and vote: Councilor Pete Sykes moved and Councilor Sara McNevich seconded a motion to postpone consideration of the RFP to the committee’s next meeting (July). The motion passed on a roll call vote; committee members asked staff to consult the Health & Human Services committee, gather additional local data, and circulate proposed amendments (for example, workforce-supplement pilots, salary supports, or EEO language) in advance of the July meeting.

Next steps: Staff will pause issuance of the RFP, assemble additional data on local provider capacity and staffing, solicit HHS committee input, and accept written amendment suggestions from committee members to shape the July packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Housing & Economic Development Committee Meeting - June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff proposed an RFP to lease Baron Center 2 at 1125 Brighton Ave for a childcare operator; the committee postponed action to the July meeting and asked staff to return with additional data on staffing constraints, potential funding supports, licensing requirements and equity language.","taxTitle","Portland, Cumberland County, Maine","taxId",2582,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":44,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513209,"Committee approves direction on option to lease portion of Behrend (Baron) Center with developer; amendment preserves parking and trees",5240,9800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1&start=4560&end=9800","/articles/6513209/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Committee-approves-direction-on-option-to-lease-portion-of-Behrend-Baron-Center-with-developer-amendment-preserves-parking-and-trees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513209-d3bbfd9fd21fd6c529a3405c68f2764d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192381&Signature=ZwIrUnGoTz8ZXBr7j5O0fCIETEmivmLwK2k7n99Bxugc5W8z56KPvxPPv9zUc3n9sJIYD39dLFhZr1v8d6bxDOKrePXK8ce2S5y0b7V5nS3MHXlCmJuea6ZvyWgDF~v8m-LT1gJNRf28HtKKwDqyf8Z8gtJaBmyu2ZFo6TIV8Sa8Th7noQ1RCKCEdUoxc7pdrDQq2NRbFFJw0a6sprVs9AR4z-8KAwmWGAxOsflGWOTUnUqt-ZAc8mWI9bMxY5p1GD1lmuJP-O7aYhyYECMXEfeBAHacW53LzEFLdejBO28pD2IIeoOiACXpHJUHTCXFhAbuOHm22E9KxHEv5hEKCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Following an executive session to discuss real-estate negotiations, the Housing and Economic Development Committee voted June 11 to forward to the City Council a staff-recommended option to lease portions of the Behrend (Baron) Center campus at 1125 Brighton Avenue to the selected development team — Developers Collaborative 3 Development LLC and Prosperity Management — with amendments requiring the developer to preserve existing parking counts, not remove trees outside the leased area, and to fund any additional parking or related infrastructure.

Greg Watson explained staff negotiated a draft option-to-lease; a limited number of terms required executive-session discussion under Maine statutes governing confidential real-estate negotiations (1 M.R.S. §405(6)(B) and 5 M.R.S. §13119-A). After the executive session, Councilor Pete Sykes moved and Councilor Sara McNevich seconded a motion to forward the option to lease to council with the amendment that the developer must provide a plan satisfactory to the city that (1) does not reduce the total current parking spaces available to the Baron Center, (2) does not include taking down trees outside the leased area, and (3) requires the developer to pay for any needed additional parking spaces and infrastructure. The committee approved the motion on a roll call (Sykes — yes; McNevich — yes; Phillips — no; Chair Bridal Ali — yes). The vote carried 3–1.

The committee also discussed timing: staff said the development team was pursuing a 9% low-income housing tax-credit allocation and was concurrently working through planning-board site approval and local TIF processes; staff asked for guidance to finalize lease terms promptly to avoid jeopardizing the developer’s funding timeline.

Next steps: staff will present the amended option-to-lease to the City Council for final approval. The committee noted that if the council approves, the parties will move forward with site approvals and the developer’s financing packaging.","After an executive session, the committee voted to forward to the council an option-to-lease agreement for redevelopment of portions of the Behrend Center campus (1125 Brighton Ave) with explicit conditions protecting current parking, trees, and allocating developer-borne funding for any additional parking infrastructure.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513214,"Committee advances vacancy ordinance for Congress Street Arts District, adds artist funding and activation tools",845,2860000,3705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1&start=2860&end=3705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1/thumbnail_2860000.jpg","/articles/6513214/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Committee-advances-vacancy-ordinance-for-Congress-Street-Arts-District-adds-artist-funding-and-activation-tools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513214-00aa95ba535a3b5b63ca57d2564976ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192381&Signature=CDWf1XynyeiDRwUbgIxxVxGkXHDqR2xdyILPMu37y7hyAE6l32us2EJQMY~JzhbKL5W~8si5UMNmgU6XWeER5-25jIGm9Nl879xgPQikftD4b5nvqhEzttwdrtxwmRF25S5~k5ff0m6YdZ6HR5~pSuLayY0QG0oXhLb2vddTCSeL6CzbVopcEfiY8qHSjUN2vemnzkp9ZC5DIXjYxgw~Y1vzT30Oe4zayezRvFUkC5DT1BkVGR9~84O59pc13ehlcdOnNRvTjqM1sETbdjyOLUSAMXJlHIzRxmwAAUKR-axGORjQInNR6rr67iJ7ZDhvQrawEMuRIu7DJBdqXW4P8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Housing and Economic Development Committee voted June 11 to forward a revised commercial vacancy ordinance covering the Congress Street Arts District to the City Council, with staff and Creative Portland to develop implementation details on artist selection and activation.

Councilor Pete Sykes, sponsor of the ordinance, said the measure is a targeted tool to keep storefronts visibly active: the ordinance requires registration of vacant commercial spaces in the district, allows temporary activations and creates an administrative fee structure for persistently vacant properties. Committee discussion focused on the balance between incentives and penalties, the registry as a tool to match property owners with temporary activation partners, and how to treat performance art and non-static activations.

Staff and Creative Portland representatives told the committee they will develop operational rules — including a juried selection process for temporary art, potential compensation for artists and an approach to waivers when spaces are activated by performances. Nancy Martin (business programs manager) and Greg Watson said staff will continue meeting with Creative Portland to design the registry and selection mechanisms. A fiscal note attached to the ordinance contemplates an initial $25,000 set-aside to support artist engagement, production and compensation for temporary activations.

Committee members emphasized that temporary art is intended as a last-resort activation: property owners are expected first to attempt tenant recruitment and other activations; if spaces remain vacant, temporary two-dimensional art or permitted temporary uses could fulfill activation requirements and avoid fee assessments. Members discussed the need to compensate artists rather than relying on unpaid labor.

Motion and vote: A motion to forward the vacancy ordinance to the full council passed on a roll call vote (Councilor Pete Sykes — yes; Councilor Sara McNevich — yes; Councilor Regina Phillips — yes; Chair Bridal Ali — yes). The committee directed staff to finalize implementation details, including Creative Portland’s role in selection and the $25,000 activation fund.","The committee voted to send a revised commercial vacancy ordinance to the full council after narrowing language, adding a registry, clarifying activation and permitting processes, and setting aside a $25,000 fiscal note for artist activation.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513219,"Committee narrows Visit Portland agreement, adds workforce and reporting requirements and sends amended PTDD plan to council",1936,857000,2793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1&start=857&end=2793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1/thumbnail_857000.jpg","/articles/6513219/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Committee-narrows-Visit-Portland-agreement-adds-workforce-and-reporting-requirements-and-sends-amended-PTDD-plan-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513219-4c358f8fd9ea514182b5a63912f3a1a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192381&Signature=OJz43DMITaHhfQjJ~xMNYI6Wwm91NOLz0zcmYxfQdIJk5bAA3MxSME9g8QtpVSGh3aAjLIgxFEtFoybNM9OCCOWtoZwBQRGpBox8WNQsENmkydAhgrtTDiU4F-talrI~1RmhGkI7LJxT1ZB2xHimAyXUKIz4n0SWpn9qKbfuQ1NRGnjJzGce6nm2JlWWJe6eTo-V~PxdvW0Kdybjlhdk5r4fuCHSt3jdElTzr6rKJHLwWiwYl6TzTAY9ZY7JyVoZZcaVUG9ILwt3hB0K3gA4SNX4vHoxd3-Tkxfb9qjTc6qodfPz2AcMAgMYmjOVQJIvLR7oENqwm0FUSq6qXyuq8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Housing and Economic Development Committee voted June 11 to forward an amended Portland Tourism Development District (PTDD) agreement and development plan to the full City Council, adding new workforce-development priorities and reporting requirements.

Greg Watson, director of Housing and Economic Development, said the revised redline agreement and the attached development plan reflect committee direction to prioritize workforce development and public transparency. Among the confirmed changes: Visit Portland will post PTDD meeting minutes online; the PTDD development plan now includes specific workforce development activities including peer listening sessions and reporting criteria tied to a return-on-investment metric.

Councilor Pete Sykes and Visit Portland executive director Lynn Tillotson met between meetings and worked through edits that Watson said narrowed the work plan’s scope and moved tactical details into the development plan. Committee members asked Visit Portland to report back with an itemized accounting of expenses for the prior fiscal year and to explain any unexpended portion of the 10% assessment that the city retains for district work. Watson and Tillotson agreed to provide that breakdown for the council’s review.

Tillotson told the committee Visit Portland has invested in outreach to underrepresented audiences: she said Visit Portland spent about $125,000 in FY25 on outreach overall, including roughly $80,000 “specifically reaching targeted demographic areas,” and hired diverse photographers and engaged influencers as part of the outreach effort. Committee members said they wanted more granular reporting that maps specific vendors, influencers and trade-show attendance to the PTDD’s 10% allocation to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ outreach.

Councilors also discussed the city’s use of PTDD-collected funds for public infrastructure in the district, such as restrooms, and asked staff to track the PTDD-related city balance and how it is being spent.

Motion and vote: Councilor McNeviz moved, and Councilor Sykes seconded, a motion to forward the redlined PTDD agreement and development plan to the full council; Councilor Sykes then offered an amendment requiring Visit Portland to provide a report on prior-year expenditures and on any unexpended portion of the 10% assessment. The committee approved the amended motion in roll call: Councilor Pete Sykes — yes; Councilor McNeviz — yes; Councilor Regina Phillips — no; Chair Bridal Ali — yes. The motion carried.","Committee approved forwarding a redlined Portland Tourism Development District (PTDD) agreement and a narrower development plan designed to emphasize workforce development, transparency and reporting; committee asked Visit Portland for a detailed expenditure report and for public posting of PTDD meeting minutes.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513224,"Portland Adult Education exceeded enrollment goals; TIF will fund FY2026 programs at $200,000",620,166000,786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1&start=166&end=786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075150-4657650ce5b8719734dda91897c197e1/thumbnail_166000.jpg","/articles/6513224/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Portland-Adult-Education-exceeded-enrollment-goals-TIF-will-fund-FY2026-programs-at-200000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513224-db64bfd30475110c0fe95fc68143735e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192381&Signature=gnxNosubPkkdaYUNrjpXCV-hK34HL64l8EL9jXfG-KWCNkests1qyTN8em8sMZ0CpUvOKCSZ4SVFYSbcWu8VTWxjfGqUjF9pvADjFw4rMcOMda6~Al7nVW9YhPX3o00DGgl3TqqFWzj1yBa1eL7wS44mZYw265SrYDBH8cct~lFCY1vdvd3AFEonOiz5n6cPZxXig1IWk3E-EBbsm0vh1Sa8RVT2GpwmS05DZEtGXNqvW9FaO~GEj~iCIzsD0frjYfWd8a7lY~6523XQtP55~oA~cET8L6HoMDtoi2Ebj~7O1DPIuvYEPYWOeORpbde645PiQwvkkDXHWZzB~PWNwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Portland housing staff told the Housing and Economic Development Committee on June 11 that Portland Adult Education (PAE) exceeded enrollment goals for the 2025 program year and will receive $200,000 in Downtown TIF funding in fiscal year 2026 to continue workforce training programs.

The update, delivered by Greg Watson, director of Housing and Economic Development, said Portland Adult Education met 145% of its 2025 enrollment target and that 99% of program participants identified as BIPOC, most identifying as Black or African American. Watson said the programs focused on transportation careers, a bank-teller program, medical assistant and supported certified nursing assistant (CNA) training, employment and English-preparation services and ESOL instruction. The city budgeted $200,000 in FY2026 TIF funds to level-fund those efforts.

Committee members pressed staff for follow-up data and for information about funding models. Councilor Sara McNevich asked whether the city could prioritize training for childcare providers in light of a separate agenda item about building childcare capacity at the Baron Center. Watson said staff would consult PAE and return with details about how curriculum choices are made, whether on-shelf curricula exist and whether the city could fund immediate start-up this year or would need to wait until FY2026.

Councilor Regina Phillips asked for participant outcome data, including how many of the roughly 610 students served between FY2021 and FY2025 remained employed in Portland, and whether program graduates were staying in the city. Watson said staff would seek employment-location data for the cohort of about 610 students served over those years.

Councilors also asked staff to explore partnerships between PAE and Visit Portland for hospitality-sector training, and suggested PAE consider English-language and other supports to help non-English-speaking home-based childcare providers move into the regulated workforce.

Staff said program-level budget details — such as which training elements the TIF covers 50% versus 100% — would be provided in follow-up responses. No formal action was required or taken on this communication item.

Looking ahead, committee members asked staff to return with: program-by-program funding sources (what other funders cover the remaining 50% on some programs), outcomes data for the 610-student cohort, and whether PAE could accelerate or stand up childcare-provider training in response to immediate need.","City staff updated the Housing and Economic Development Committee on Portland Adult Education’s recent workforce-training results and plans; committee members asked for follow-up data on participant outcomes and funding sources and suggested childcare and hospitality training be considered.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Childcare RFP for Baron Center paused for further review; committee requests workforce and licensing detail

Committee approves direction on option to lease portion of Behrend (Baron) Center with developer; amendment preserves parking and trees

Committee advances vacancy ordinance for Congress Street Arts District, adds artist funding and activation tools

Committee narrows Visit Portland agreement, adds workforce and reporting requirements and sends amended PTDD plan to council

Portland Adult Education exceeded enrollment goals; TIF will fund FY2026 programs at $200,000