FWC is a Main Street Affiliate. What does that mean?

In 2019 (a mere 2 years ago) Friends of Woodfords Corner became Main Street Affiliate, and we thought it might be time to revisit how this makes us unique among many varied community groups in the Portland area. We are unique in neighborhood focused organizations in that our primary focus is the revitalization of our small commercial hub so that it serves the surrounding neighbors and supports local businesses.

Established: Friends of Woodfords Corner (FWC) began in September 2015 when Woodfords Corner area neighbors came together to engage in community/city development, specifically the MaineDOT Traffic Pattern Change, City of Portland “Transforming Forest Avenue,” and City of Portland Stormwater Separation projects, all of which would greatly impact the corner. We became a formally organized nonprofit entity on August 30, 2017, and a Main Street Affiliate in January 2019.  Main Street programs in Maine are part of the Maine Downtown Center.

Area: FWC represents an area starting at the center of the Woodfords Corner five-point intersection and extending a half-mile radius outward. This area comprises five different neighborhoods: Rosemont, Deering Center, Deering Highlands, Woodfords-Oakdale, and Back Cove, each with a mix of businesses, residences, and organizations. It also spans city council districts 3 and 4.    

Mission:  To work to revitalize Woodfords Corner by promoting it as a vibrant village hub, supporting our businesses, and encouraging community involvement in our neighborhood. By giving this area a sense of identity and cohesion, we hope to create a safe, diverse, walkable, and thriving corner hub. We focus on increasing community engagement, influencing design of public spaces, and supporting hyper-local economic vitality.  

Objectives:

Advocate on behalf of Woodfords Corner residents and businesses to ensure the City and state act in the best interest of the neighborhood

  • Improve sidewalk, crosswalk and snow removal maintenance

  • Improve pedestrian, bicycle and car traffic flow and safety

  • Monitor City public service projects

Promote Community Engagement to create a welcoming, cohesive & safe community

  • Communicate news, events, and project updates 

  • Host events and meetings to socialize, inform, and support corner businesses and residents

  • Communicate news, events, issues, and business and City matters 

Create a Sustainable, Vibrant and Enjoyable Village

  • Engage existing businesses and attract new businesses to create a vibrant village center

  • Create, improve and maintain public green spaces

  • Host neighborhood events to embrace, support, and take advantage of area offerings

Membership: Anyone living or working within or outside of the Woodfords Corner neighborhood who believes in our mission may become a member. There are no membership dues. FWC’s work is made possible by the effort of its volunteers and the generosity of its donors and sponsors.  

FRIENDS OF WOODFORDS CORNER BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2021

2018 Accomplishments: 

  • Became a Main Street Affiliate

  • Convened a MaineDOT/Biz to inform and gathered input from 35+ businesses and organizations 

  • Hosted our Spring Social event for 90+ neighbors, featuring a talk on Zoning by Eric Larsson, food from 12 local vendors, and music by Truth About Daisies

  • Organized the Trinity Park Clean-up and 4th annual Railroad Clean-up from Forest to Brighton 

  • Continued improvements to the Trinity Park landscaping with help from the City, Trinity Episcopal Church, Trinity Day School and Lewis Landscaping 

  • Co-hosted the 2nd Annual CornerFEST, our annual fall block party, for 200+ neighbors, 15 nonprofits, 18 artists and businesses, 5 food vendors, 5 musical acts and lots of activities.

  • Celebrated the Luminous Arbor lighting with 90+ neighbors, the City Portland Public Arts Commission, and Urban Planning

  • Organized Shop Small Saturday Bingo with 22 Corner businesses (and 8 lucky prize winners!)

  • Formed our Active Transportation Committee to support bike, pedestrian, and metro use

  • Welcomed 5 new board members and our first intern

2019 Accomplishments:

  • Hosted Design Your Neighborhood Spring Social, our annual meeting, with 100+ attendees who helped envision the potential of Woodfords Corner

  • Partnered with USM Muskie School graduate students to conduct studies and create resources for Woodfords Corner business needs, possible streetscape improvements, and small business marketing guidance

  • Helped organize the 3nd Annual CornerFEST, our fall block party 

  • Organized the 5th Annual Railroad Clean-up

  • Ramped up our Third Thursdays events and held monthly festivals at Trinity Park with music, food, games and activities, and artists and craftspeople

  • Developed the Trinity Park Phase II improvement plan and Trinity Park Clean-Up days

  • Conducted walking audits of Woodfords Corner streets with City officials and neighbors

2020 Accomplishments:

  • Hosted Corner Conversations, virtual morning coffee socials with Corner businesses and residents to stay connected during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

  • Partnered with Prevention. Action. Change. to organize a two-part verbal and physical skills training “Navigating Challenging Interactions” to help neighbors adapt to the “new normal” of physical distancing.

  • Installed 20 planters to beautify the heart of Woodfords Corner and show community pride.

  • Organized the 6th Annual Railroad Clean-Up and Trinity Park Clean-Up days

  • Facilitated two City Council Candidate Forums with District 4 and At-Large candidates

  • Conducted the “Together We Can” campaign, spreading this message of strength, solidarity, and hopefulness to our neighbors throughout the Corner

As a Main Street America Affiliate™, Friends of Woodfords Corner is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

With an emphasis on increasing community engagement, influencing the design of public spaces and supporting hyper-local economic vitality, we’re striving to create a safe, walkable, welcoming and vibrant neighborhood hub.

To lean more about FWC opportunities to volunteer or sponsor please contact us via email.

This is the 4-point approach to Main Street programs. We believe that by using this approach, we can work toward the vision of a vibrant Woodfords Corner neighborhood hub.

This is the 4-point approach to Main Street programs. We believe that by using this approach, we can work toward the vision of a vibrant Woodfords Corner neighborhood hub.

Teresa Valliere