Congress Square – Page 4 – The Portland Press Herald

Group announces summer events at Congress Square

The concerts and other activities are an effort to demonstrate how the plaza could be used if it remains a public space.

Portland loses its bid to prevent a referendum that could complicate the Congress Square Plaza deal and make it harder to sell public spaces.

News

Residents and workers have long complained that cars speeding along the one-way streets make it dangerous for pedestrians to cross.

But unlike a citizens group’s referendum, the City Council’s version would allow the sale of Congress Square Plaza.

by Aaron Shapiro April 19, 2014June 9, 2014

Urban design studies have shown that crowds will avoid plazas if the space is too large.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is weighing the legality of a referendum effort to reverse the sale of Congress Square Plaza.

Mayor Brennan wants it enacted before a citizens’ initiative partly aimed at saving Congress Square goes to voters.

Voters will decide June 10 whether to reverse a City Council move to sell part of Congress Square Plaza.

The City Council will vote next week on alternatives to a citizens petition that could negate the sale of the controversial parcel.

A public hearing will take up the citizen petition to protect public land.