Mark Dion

Recent resistance to a proposed covert venue in Portland could deter some developers from pursuing projects in Maine's biggest city, Mayor Mark Dion warned in an interview with Mainebiz.

The measure, defeated by the City Council by a vote of 7-2 Monday night would have asked certain larger nonprofits to make voluntary property tax payments.

Mainebiz Deputy Editor Renee Cordes sat down with the the mayor of Maine's largest city in his office at City Hall for a 45-minute interview that covered a lot of ground.

The in-person event, scheduled for May 21 in Portland, will provide hands-on instruction for independently owned businesses with three or fewer locations.

The city has selected the Boulos Co. to potentially list four undeveloped parcels of land on Somerset and Elm streets, near Whole Foods and Franklin Arterial — though City Councilors say no decision to sell has been made.

Portland city officials warned that the human impact of the federal immigration raids will be accompanied by costs to businesses and damage to the city’s economic life.

In his latest state of the city address, Mayor Mark Dion urged officials to cut delays between housing project approvals and shovels going into the ground.

The city of Portland has joined forces with the nonprofit Gulf of Maine Research Institute to protect the working waterfront to position Maine’s largest city as a national leader in coastal climate adaptation.

A controversial proposal to build a temporary parking lot at the Jetport was rejected by the City Council, ending a two-year battle.

Portland Mayor Mark Dion called on members of the business community to pitch in, while developer Kevin Bunker pushed back against bureaucracy.