David LaCasse, President of Congress Square Park, Watering Plants in the Park Today.  Artist, Pandora,  Often Joins Her  Husband in Caring for the Park.

Lots of Road Repair  Happening in Portland; Including Filling a Sink Hole at the corner of Moody and Morning Streets on Munjoy Hill.

A Favorite View in the Park Photographed Today by David LaCasse, Presidents of the Friends. In the Background is the Portland Museum of Art.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,594)

The Congress Square Redesign project is the recipient of a $25,000 grant the city announced today in a press release.  The Our Town grant program supports creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful and resilient places with the arts at their core.  The grant is from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) that received 240 applications this year for funds that run from $25,000 up to $100,000.  NEA chairman Jane Chu announced the 64 awards totaling $43.million supporting projects across the nation.

“For six years, Our Town has made a difference for people and the places where they live, work and play,” said NEA Chairwoman Jane Chu.  “Projects such as the one led by the City of Portland help residents engage the arts to spark vitality in their communities.”

Congress Square is the heart of the Arts District and a center of activity for neighborhood residents and public artwork according to the same press release.  The concepts will be used to help raise money that implement the project.  The project team anticipates the project, if approved for implementation, will require significant fundraising efforts.  The City has pursued several grant opportunities to fund the endeavor; the project also recently received a grant from the Quimby Family Foundation thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Congress Sq. Park.