Council approves $41.07M FY26 Capital Improvement Program and adds $165,000 for Back Cove stairs repair

The Portland City Council approved the city's fiscal year 2026 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) appropriation — an order appropriating up to $41,070,000 in bond proceeds and other funds — and separately authorized general obligation bonds not to exceed $30,370,000 to finance part of the program. During debate, Councilor Bullock successfully moved an amendment to add $165,000 to the bond authorization to repair and consolidate Back Cove granite stairs, a public-safety focused parks project.

The Finance Committee developed the CIP from the manager's proposal and added a decisional framework that emphasizes equitable investments and climate/sustainability criteria, an ex officio councilor explained. The CIP includes multiple school projects (security upgrades, roofing and HVAC), seawall and waterfront resilience work, street paving and sidewalk improvements, bike and pedestrian safety projects, ADA ramp upgrades and playground and trail repairs including work at Deering Oaks Pond.

Speaking to the plan, an ex officio finance committee representative said the CIP addresses needs in all city districts and thanked staff for incorporating new evaluation criteria that reflect council priorities.

Public commenters raised process concerns. Steven Sharp and George Roe urged more public involvement in capital planning and questioned transparency about bond issuance timing and the distribution of funds to schools versus other infrastructure. Roe specifically said some previously-authorized bond proceeds had not yet been issued and asked for clearer disclosure of timing and fund balances tied to impact fees.

Councilor Bullock moved an amendment to increase the CIP bond by $165,000 to repair two Back Cove granite staircases (reducing the total staircase count to two with new railings for safety). The amendment was seconded by Councilor Phillips and passed on roll call. The main appropriation and the bond orders, as amended, then passed by roll call votes.

Finance staff explained that bond issuance is often timed to match project cash-flow needs and is commonly issued in the late winter or spring following CIP approval so that projects can be scheduled and bid in alignment with construction seasons.

The council also approved a companion order authorizing specific bond issuance and then passed related amendments. Councilors discussed trade-offs between capital projects and social-service needs during budget deliberations and underscored the need for year-round public engagement on capital planning.

Votes on the CIP and amendments were taken by roll call; the amendment for Back Cove stairs and both bond/appropriation orders were approved.