about us
Our Mission
Portland Downtown stimulates a vibrant, thriving, and sustainable downtown community.
What We Do
Portland Downtown is a 501c4 nonprofit Downtown Improvement District (DID). Our founding purposes – established in 1992 – still guide our work today:
Who’s Involved
To make the downtown experience the best it can be, we have an active and engaged Board of Directors, dedicated committees, and amazing volunteers. We also partner with other local organizations and community leaders who share our vision for a clean, safe, and vibrant downtown.
Cary Tyson
Executive Director
Staff Bio
McKenzie Delisle
Marketing & Events Manager
Staff Bio
Byron Bartlett
Director of Administration
Staff Bio
Betsy Boyd
Community Outreach & Engagement Manager
Staff Bio
Portland Downtown Public Works Crew
Meet our dedicated team of 6 full-time professionals at Downtown Public Works—a specialized unit complementing Portland’s standard Public Works crew. Our mission is to provide essential services to maintain a clean and vibrant downtown Portland.
What They Do:
- Litter Patrol: Collection and disposal services to keep our streets clean.
- Green Space Maintenance: Mowing, weeding, and leaf removal for downtown’s green areas.
- Winter Operations: Snow and ice removal to ensure safe pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- Graffiti Removal: Swift action to maintain the aesthetic appeal of our urban landscape.
- Event Support: Assistance with Portland Downtown events to enhance community engagement.
- Bathroom Cleaning: Ensuring clean and safe facilities for residents and visitors alike.
Location: Our shop headquarters are conveniently located in the Spring Street Garage, where you might catch a glimpse of Jack Hammer, the beloved bear mascot of Portland Public Works!
Identification: Look for our team members in bright yellow vests adorned with the Portland Downtown logo—a symbol of our commitment to service excellence.
Community Investment: Nearly half of Portland Downtown’s financial commitment to the downtown district goes into these crucial public works services.
Staff
Cary Tyson – Executive Director
Email Cary
McKenzie Delisle – Marketing & Events Manager
Email McKenzie
Byron Bartlett – Director of Administration
Email Byron
Betsy Boyd – Community Outreach & Engagement Manager
Email Betsy
2024-25 Board of Directors
Dawn Homa – Chair
Property Manager, Cooper Properties
At-Large. Term expires June 30, 2025.
Erin Kiley – Vice Chair
Co-Owner, Portland Flea-for-All
At-Large. Term expires June 30, 2026.
Gillian West – Treasurer
Property Manager, J.B. Brown & Sons
At-Large. Term expires June 30, 2025.
Open
At-Large. Term expires June 30, 2026.
Christine Cram
AVP, Business Banker, Machias Savings Bank
Professional Services. Term expires June 30, 2026.
Krista Cole
Owner, Sur Lie
Restaurant. Terms expires June 30, 2025.
Luke Dionne
Sr. Project Manager, Wright-Ryan
Professional Services. Term expires June 30, 2027.
Christy Evans
Resident
Chair Appointment
Keith Gray
City Engineer, Engineering Services Manager, Dept. of Public Works, City of Portland
City Manager Appointment
Eric Hager
Portland Ovations
Cultural/Nonprofit/Educational. Term expires June 30, 2027.
Stefan King
Director of Operations, The Portland Regency Hotel & Spa
Accommodations. Term expires June 30, 2027.
OPEN
Retail. Term expires June 30, 2025.
Stephen Nahley
COO and General Counsel, East Brown Cow Management, Inc.
At-Large. Term expires June 30, 2027
David Packard
Counsel, P K Realty Management & Investments
At-Large. Term expires June 30, 2026.
Palo Peirce
President, Bricklight Properties LLC
At-Large. Term expires June 30, 2026.
Joe Redman
President, Joseph’s
At-Large. Term expires June 30, 2027.
Adam Thibodeau
Portland Stage
Entertainment. Term expires June 30, 2027.
Amy Wooldridge
VP of Operations & Customer Success, CampTek Software
Professional Services. Term expires June 30, 2027.
Residential Seat
Vacant
Join us in making a difference in downtown Portland, Maine! Our committees focus on cleanliness, safety, and creating vibrant experiences that benefit everyone in our community. Whether you’re a property owner, business owner, employee, or resident, your voice matters. Together, we build a stronger downtown. Click here to sign up for meeting notifications and be part of the positive change.
Downtown Business Committee: Connect with fellow merchants, business owners, and managers. Together, we network, share ideas, and develop initiatives to support our vibrant small business community in downtown Portland. Stay tuned for our structured meeting schedule!
Downtown Events Committee: The driving force behind Portland Downtown’s signature events, like the Monument Square Tree Lighting, 207 Day Scavenger Hunt, and Downtown Worker Appreciation Day. Join us monthly on the 4th Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and help make our community events unforgettable.
Downtown Experience Committee: Contribute to Portland Downtown’s clean, safe, and welcoming initiatives. From overseeing the Downtown Cadets program to managing placemaking projects like seasonal Pop-Up Parks, we shape the downtown experience. Meet with us monthly on the 2nd Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and help create a welcoming downtown for all.
Have fun. Give back. Volunteer!
If you love Portland and want to support a small nonprofit making a BIG impact in our community, consider volunteering with Portland Downtown. Our team believes in working hard and having FUN, dedicated to making your volunteer experience rewarding! We offer various volunteer positions based on your availability, skills, and
interests, including:
Beautification Volunteer: As the downtown improvement district for Portland, Maine, we focus on keeping our city clean and beautiful. Beautification Volunteers play a crucial role in this effort, assisting with tasks such as litter pickup, sidewalk painting, flower watering, and other activities aimed at enhancing the downtown area’s appearance.
Event Volunteer: Join us for exciting events like the Monument Square Tree Lighting and Downtown Worker Appreciation Day! Help with bag stuffing, setup, tear-down, and spreading cheer by handing out goodies. From small gatherings to large community celebrations, there’s always a place for enthusiastic volunteers to get involved and make a difference.
Distribution Volunteer: Join our team in connecting with downtown business owners, residents, and property owners! As a Distribution Volunteer, you’ll help deliver printed materials that inform our community about upcoming events, important news, and opportunities to get involved. Your efforts ensure that everyone stays in the loop and our downtown remains vibrant and connected.
How We’re Funded
Portland Downtown is funded through a tax assessment paid by property owners within the downtown district. In addition, many of our community events and programs are made possible thanks to the support of generous sponsors.
About Portland
With over 66,000 full-time residents, Portland swells to two million with the addition of its seasonal visitors and part-time residents in the summertime. The city is located on a peninsula in Casco Bay with access to many islands, such as Peaks, Great Diamond, and Long Island. Portland stands as one of the few working waterfronts left in the United States, acting as New England’s largest tonnage seaport and second-largest fishing port. Portland is also the largest foreign inbound transit tonnage port in the United States! Each year, our port handles over 206,000 international passengers, including 41,000 cruise ship passengers. As the economic capital of Maine, major national financial institutions, law firms, and import/export companies base their Maine operations out of Portland. Walking through downtown Portland, you will notice modern high-rise office buildings located in historic districts intermixed with centuries-old architecture. Pick some of your favorite things to do in Portland while you visit this exciting city. To make sure that you are able to find your way around the city, request a Guidebook today!
District Map
The downtown district stretches from Longfellow Square over to Franklin Street, with Cumberland Ave its northern boundary and the waterfront its southern boundary.
Portland Downtown adheres to transparency requirements applied to Maine 501c4 organizations. Externally-facing meetings, forums, panel discussions, etc., may be open to the public based on purpose. Financial documents, disclosures, and other information that are required to be made available to the public or are available as part of the City of Portland budget process can be found in the About Us section of the website. Property owners and business owners in the district who seek additional information should contact the Executive Director.
