City Council Invites Community Members to Serve on the New Mahoney City Center Committee

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – This week, South Portland City Council set forth a vision for the future of the Mahoney School property and formed a new ad hoc Mahoney City Center Committee. The City Council is inviting members of the community to serve on the volunteer committee that will create a plan to transform the former Mahoney School property into a vibrant civic and cultural hub. Interested applicants are encouraged to learn more and apply at: southportland.gov/mahoney 

“The Mahoney School served our community for generations. Now we have

an opportunity to transform Mahoney into a space that will serve current and future generations while also solving the serious facilities issues we face,” said Mayor Richard Matthews. “We’re excited for the committee to get started on this new phase of the project.”

The new Order states that the committee shall “work to transform Mahoney and its site into an asset that serves our entire community for the next 100 years.” Following six years of discussion and two years of study and a recommendation by the City’s Facilities Committee, the City Council voted in September for the City to pursue consolidating many offices at Mahoney, with thorough consideration of the historic significance of the building. Offices currently located at City Hall, the Hamlin Building, the Assessing Building, and the Main Library would be housed together at Mahoney. A performing arts space, gymnasium, lecture/meeting spaces, and more are also planned for the space. A new Police station (at a to-be-determined location) and a new Central Fire Station at its current location are also part of the overall facilities plan. Voters will ultimately determine whether the plan moves forward in a bond referendum tentatively scheduled for November 2026.

The Mahoney City Center Committee will be made up of 19 voting members. Their scope will be limited to the Mahoney campus and does not include the Police or Fire Stations. The group will include seven residents (at least one from each district), two City Councilors, a representative from the arts/theater community, a representative from the youth sports community, a representative from the neighborhood abutting Mahoney, and seven staff members. Several ex-officio (non-voting) members will also serve. The committee’s responsibilities include facilitating communication with the public, advising Council on certain design elements, assisting with the development of a funding plan, and providing a recommendation to City Council on a final design, cost estimate and funding plan to be sent to voters.

“This is an important project, and input and participation from the community is essential,” said City Manager Scott Morelli. “Whether you’re interested in serving on the ad hoc committee, participating in a future public forum, helping to build our catalog of Frequently Asked Questions, or something else, you have something to contribute. We hope you’ll join in the process.” 

City Council will make appointments to the committee during its March 18, 2025 meeting. Interested applicants must apply by Wednesday, March 5, 2025. To find more information about this project, apply to be on the committee, and sign up to receive email alerts about engagement opportunities and more, visit: southportland.gov/mahoney

About the City of South Portland

The City of South Portland is a vibrant Southern Maine community of nearly 27,000 residents and over 1,500 businesses located on picturesque Casco Bay. www.southportland.gov