Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) at an Event in Portland Last Year..

A plan to reconnect the divided Libbytown neighborhood with Portland – improvng accessiblity, safety and sense of community – has received funding in the amount of $22.4 million according to a press release issued by the office of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) today.  The grant will support MaineDOT’s goal to address barriers and to support accessibility to housing, employment, retail, healthcare, tourism and recreation.

“For decades the Libbytown neighborhood  has been cut off from the rest of Portland and unfairly stunted by unsafe infrastructural barriers,” said Pingree.  “Maine DOT’s project will make Libbytown safer and will help reconnect the neighborhood with Portland’s growing community.  I’m thrilled I was able to help get this historic part of Portland’s community and history the federal support needed to make these long overdue improvements.”

Libbytown is one of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods.  Tavern-keeper George Libby and his descendents gave the area its name, having settled in the early 19th century at the intersection of Park and Congress Streets, known as Libby’s Corner.