Bayside Opportunity Center

Urged the council to weigh both the neighborhood's struggles and the Opportunity Center's plans for 28 Portland Street.

A 27-year Bayside figure said the center would replace the lost Immigrant Welcome Center as a community anchor.

A Bayside board member said her own career began through Bayside training and urged support for the building.

A 76-year-old ESL teacher and BOC board member urged awarding 28 Portland Street to the center as a safe space for immigrants.

An English-conversation student from Pearl Street said the program helped him greatly.

An Iraqi refugee and restaurateur described the center's planned youth and senior programming and asked for council support.

A artist who lost both arms in genocide described arriving in Portland at the Oxford Street shelter and asked for the center to share hope.

A Westbrook sewing educator and BOC board member described how training at 28 Portland Street launched her family's careers.

A longtime organizer asked the council to give the project a shot as a partnership, citing the association's track record.

A 30-year Bayside resident said the group is serious, has funders lined up, and asked for a workshop; acknowledged the mold issue is fixable.

Asks for access to 28 Portland Street for a Bayside community center via a service-provider agreement, with rent comparable to other neighborhood centers.