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:

  • We represent the business, cultural, and residential community in the ongoing development and management of downtown Portland.
  • We create a cleaner, safer, well-managed downtown so that Portland can successfully compete as an environment in which to live, do business, shop, and visit.
  • We stimulate commercial, retail, and cultural activities through marketing and promotional initiatives that enhance the image of downtown Portland.
  • To learn more about our work & impact, please check out our 5-Year Strategic Plan and our most recent Annual Report.

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.

Portland Downtown Staff
Portland Downtown Board of Directors
IMG 1241
Volunteer Photo scaled
Cary Tyson Executive Director scaled
Cary Tyson

Executive Director

Staff Bio

McKenzie Delisle Marketing Events Manager scaled
McKenzie Delisle

Marketing & Events Manager

Staff Bio

Byron Bartlett Director of Administration scaled
Byron Bartlett

Director of Administration

Staff Bio

Betsy Boyd Community Outreach Engagement Manager edited scaled
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


A historic seacoast town with a funky vibe, working waterfront, loads of galleries, hundreds of one-of-a-kind shops, and award-winning restaurants serving everything from classic lobster rolls to exotic nouvelle cuisine.
VMExterior2 AndrewDavis scaled
DSC06157
Portland Maine July2022 Convinced 7 1 scaled
DSC07419 scaled
0VnfvhTg
DSC06412 2
Portland Maine Aerial March2022 Davenport 12 4
AdobeStock 107054943 scaled
AdobeStock 431371342 scaled
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
previous arrow
next arrow

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.

Downtown District PDF

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.