Council Approves New Pop-up Park On Federal Street

The Portland City Council on Monday night unanimously approved converting a small section of Federal Street into a pop-up park this summer. The council first considered the proposal last week but delayed action after businesses opposed the plan. This week, businesses that support the temporary park outnumbered opponents. They believed the pop-up park could draw people up from the Old Port to an underutilized part of town. “This is a fantastic investment in the creative economy,” said Kate Simmons, a local consultant. Several businesses were concerned about the loss of parking and how fast the proposal moved through the council. However, Councilor Edward Suslovic said if the park presents any problems, especially with the movement of traffic, the council could revisit the issue.