PORTLAND, Maine - Portland officials are asking residents to write the headlines for the city's future. They are calling for public participation in building its next comprehensive plan.
The vision for the city's future is re-done every 12 years, under the state's growth management law. The project will include plans for historic resources, natural resources, transportation and the city's economy.
And, as city planner Jeff Levine notes, it will take a look at the hottest issue in the city right now - the housing crunch.
"Are there areas where there's consensus? We would like to see more density and more development, and areas where we would like to see some infill development, but not at the same scale," Levine says. "We're hearing some of that so far, and we're looking forward to hearing more over the summer as we hit the streets and get more input."
The city has already conducted a survey of residents to solicit their views. Those results will be presented at public forums starting tonight at 6 at the University of New England, and another Thursday evening at the Portland Public Library.