Portland proud

Infrastructure projects.

Improved public services.

Efforts to improve the downtown area.

Portland Mayor John Boggs focused his comments on those areas Tuesday afternoon as he delivered his final State of the City address during a Jay County Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Portland Lions Club Civic Center.

“The state of our city is strong,” said Boggs, who will close his term as mayor in December after finishing third in a four-way Republican primary last month. “It is sturdy. It has proven itself to be durable and resilient during tough times such as the COVID pandemic.”

The mayor noted various projects, including efforts to tear down the dilapidated Bailey Building on the west side of the downtown area, repairs to Portland Water Park and the installation of a new sidewalk along Votaw Street. He also pointed out that the city has paved 14 streets in the last two years.

“If everyone has driven down Arch Street, it is really a pleasure to go from one end of town to the other on all brand-new streets,” he said of the work that was completed recently. He added that there are plans to start a street preservation program.

But it was the upcoming Meridian Street storm sewer project that he touted most.

Now slated to begin in late July or early August, the project involves installing about 2,000 feet of new storm sewer line from the north end of the city’s downtown area to the Salamonie River. It will drain Meridian Street catch basin systems that cover the area between Main and North streets and take them off of the Millers Branch line that has experienced issues with overloading.

“The Meridian Street drainage project is probably the most important flood mitigation project the town of Portland has taken on in many years,” said Boggs. (Indiana Department of Transportation is then scheduled to pave U.S. 27 in Portland in 2024.)

Boggs also noted upgrades to city services, including new equipment at the water and wastewater treatment plans as well as the fire department and increasing the size of the police force. And he mentioned new businesses and efforts to expand housing options.

He praised the efforts of Portland Main Street Connect to improve the downtown area, including the addition of new planters, banners and holiday lights. And he noted efforts through both the Main Street group and the city’s redevelopment commission to revitalize the buildings in the downtown area.

And he thanked a long list of other groups and organizations — The Portland Foundation, Jay County Development Corporation, Portland Economic Development Committee, Portland Historic Preservation Coalition, Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition and Jay County Chamber of Commerce — working toward making the city better.

“It has been one of the highlights of my life to have played this role in my hometown at such a pivotal time,” Boggs said. “Together we’re going to continue to accomplish remarkable things. We will continue to improve the city’s core services. We will continue to grow the economy and be business-friendly. We will continue to improve the quality of life. And we will continue to include everyone in our city’s story.

“So be excited, Portland, be proud. This is going to be an incredible year.”