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The café ethnography was  skewed towards those who appeared to be middle- and upper-class white Portland residents. Males and females seemed to be relatively equally present. There was a noticeable tendency towards older customers, who seemed to be more likely to sit and talk for several hours at a time, while younger customers tended to come in and out more regularly. There were some students studying at tables near the walls, but scarcity of outlets may have discouraged them from coming and/or staying long.

My mental map participants were similarly skewed towards white participants who appeared relatively privileged. It was difficult to find a diverse group of participants who were willing to participate; I got turned down by people I asked who appeared to be working-class, either because they seemed busy, mistrusting, or did not speak English. I was able to get mental maps from only two people outside; the other two I had to get from a café where (as noted in the ethnography) my selection of people was more limited. Still, the four maps differ in interesting ways: each of the four mental maps  strongly reflected individual preferences through their inclusion of particular bars, restaurants, running trails and hang-out spots. The two younger participants both drew outlines of Portland very much in accordance with Google Maps, suggesting their geographical image may have been shaped by their relationship with their smart phone.

The four recommendations given by participants suggest Portland needs better public transportation, more effective ways of integrating tourism into its economic plan without upsetting or alienating long-time residents, and cheaper ways to access internet and TV broadband. Both the implementation of better mass transit and the creation of a public, non-marked up option for broadband seem like great, straightforward ideas for a smarter, more inclusive city. Juggling the interests of long-time residents on one hand, and the economic needs of a growing, tourism-dependent city on the other, appears to be a more complex task with less clear solutions. Still, this tension is important to keep in mind while making decisions about Portland’s development.

I have to say that speaking to Tom of Strange Maine and collecting a map from him truly affected me. I left the shop feeling ashamed that for so long, I had only had a narrow vision of Portland, its people and culture. We have learned in this class about gentrification, pointing out Munjoy Hill on our field trip, and here I was talking to a displaced native of that very neighborhood. He was honest and willing to talk, and never once slighted the “bougie”. But I could tell that he was sad and nostalgic for his Portland.

I wonder if Portland could be “cool” without gentrifying. The answer is easily no, because space is economically valued (according to views, proximity to desirable areas and topography) and money always wins. Where better to have the arts district and a stretch of upper-class restaurants than Congress, on the top of the hill? I had never even noticed that it was on a hill, since nothing had previously attracted me to explore beyond Congress, the heart of the city to me. Standing on that street, I am not only above socioeconomically, but topographically as well. The descent on either side of this “crest” is steeper on the side towards Cumberland Avenue, and dramatically different aesthetically. This parallel street is plain, average. This is where I saw modest houses and black people living their lives. On the other side of the “crest”, the streets slope more gradually towards Old Port and the water, where there is an interesting mix of places: boutiques catering to people brought in by cruise ships, gelato stores, a hippie chain shop (Mexicali Blues), specialty Himalayan pink salt crystal shop,  a cheap pizza joint on the same street as Standard Bakery and tourist shops.

I also found that on the Western Promenade  a beautiful little green space; anyone would be naturally drawn to it. It was so open, the setting sun was brimming over the edge. When I got there, I realized that I was practically on a cliff, and when I looked down I saw the pocket of strip mall and fast food joints I had encountered earlier. I was so high up, looking down at a place I had declined to explore further on my transect walk. The light did not hit what was below the same way it hit the patch of green I was standing on. I remember when the public artist we met on our field trip asked each of us where our favorite places where. I was surprised that we all chose places in nature. My favorite place is a hill in a Valley Forge Historical park, but when I stand atop it and look down, there is only more green below it. I feel as if anyone could stand on top of that hill with me and we could share the view; in that way it the word “public” is at its purest. Not just public by money-backed standards.

There are many exciting angles in which we can begin to improve Portland. But I think lost under those are solutions directed towards the displaced. Perhaps a smart survey project could be conducted which maps out the costs of what constitutes experiencing culture. The map would be accessible to all, an interactive map exploring all that Portland has to offer and allowing lesser known places more visibility. It should integrate quantitative data and direct, qualitative human input in order to show people that yes, the Asian grocer on the west end of Congress is worth visiting, and quite affordable if you need a snack. We need mechanisms that invite people to see an expanded vision of culture, and therefore disperse the concentration of money on top of the hill towards places that may not be as glossy and “nice”, but are rich with culture of another kind.

But now that brings me into confusing question of how to define culture. I am one to be easily blinded by the colors, lights and sounds of Congress St.  While I do not have the means to visit every restaurant and pick through every shop, even if I am just strolling around, I can by my very upper-middle class background afford to feel as if this is somewhere I belong. And while I was standing in Strange Maine conversing with Tom, I was dressed in half in thrifted clothes in my ineffective attempts to maintain my outward self-expression while getting away from shiny, new materialism found in stores. I realized then that I cannot separate myself from the culture I grew up in (a very commercialized suburb of Philly), and nor can Tom.  We both have our implicit definitions of culture, and they are quite different, but Strange Maine did seem to be an intersection between our two definitions.

There is cultural wealth and wealth of culture. Which would we rather have?

Kelly Arbor, 37. Queer, of Italian/French/Canadian/Lithuanian background. Change Artist and Barista Witch. Has lived in Portland for 4.5 months and is originally from Mexico, Maine. Leads Maine Educationalists on Sexual Harmony (MESH), whose goal is to “create a holistic integration of sex and identity and to (re)build a stronger community united with sex-positive awareness”.  Used the word “mesh” multiple times in conversation. Made a conceptual map of places where he is planning events. Talked about “third spaces” (where one does not live or work) where he strategically plans educational “protests” so that they intersect target groups; for example, the street that Portland High School students pour out onto when they get out of school for the day.

Suggestion for Improvement: More bike lanes and green spaces.

Tom — caucasian, 30-something male who has worked at Strange Maine on and off for 11 years since it opened in 2003. Born in Portland, grew up in pre-gentrification Munjoy Hill, when people spoke of it as “slightly dangerous”.  Likes avant-garde experimental music. Prefers grit in things. Commutes to work because he has been “classed” or “priced” out of the “peninsula proper”. Describes new Portland as having become culturally null, sterilized in a sense, and in a transitional state. “Same stuff in glossier packaging”. Nostalgically describes Congress St back in the day, and recommends that I visit Paul’s convenience store, a Maine-y place where you will hear Maine accents, where “bougie” people don’t go. We discuss other towns in Maine: “Everyone shits on Lewiston”.

Suggestion for Improvement: I did not explicitly ask. But if he could live in the place he grew up, that would be awesome.

Mary, 62 years old, caucasian. Has lived in Portland with husband for 35 years. Have two children with grandchildren. Opened a Quaker School on Mackworth Island (Friends School of Portland). We discussed gentrification: “Portland is an asset…need to bring money in somehow”.

Hunter, 19, caucasian male student. Considers himself a “foodie”.  Would rather live here than anywhere else, because of its perfect size — small enough that there’s not much traffic or crime. “If Portland wasn’t gentrified, it wouldn’t be cool”.

Suggestion for Improvement: More means of transportation other than cars.

After collecting mental maps from residents and chatting with them about the city, I realized that there is no single set of smart city recommendations because Portland is different for every single one of its residents. One of the Issues that most interviewees pointed out was the lack of efficient public transportation system. So, I guess there are some recommendations that can make life better and easier for all residents.

See Mentals Maps and Cafe Ethnography inside this post…

Continue reading West End – Best End, Mental Maps of Portland and Cafe Ethnography →

Mental Maps and Café Ethnography Reflections

Gathering mental maps in Portland on a Sunday proved to be a very interesting (and often a bit tedious) time, given that fact that there were not many people out on the street, however, it was completed with success! All four people gave very different perceptions of the city and their data combined gives an insight into all different areas of Portland. In terms of their ideas about smart improvement to the city, all most everyone suggested a better green public transportation system, and interestingly one older man suggested that no changes be made to Portland. “Portland in my mind is one of the most progressive places in the United States and does not need any additions. Cities in the US need to catch up to us,” he said firmly.

As expected, no two maps were remotely the same. The maps ranged from looking into a particular neighborhood all the way to giving a over overview of the entire city…one person even added in Peaks Island, which is where they moved to over the summer. Participants that were older tended to provide less detail and decided to usually focus on landmarks that were around the neighborhood in which they lived and worked in. Younger participants included parks, shopping, and places that they enjoyed going out with friends.

For the café ethnography I went to Speckled Ax on Congress Street. Free public Wifi would be a great addition, due to the fact that almost 90% of the people in the café were always on a smart device and trying to use the internet. You have to ask the Barista for the password, which is okay, but free wifi would be so much more convenient. Interestingly, this café did not serve food… I cannot say I was pleased by the this but it created a very different atmosphere. Most people were doing work and drinking coffee–When people talked, they were either very quiet or did not talk at all.

After going to Portland to complete an ethnography and get four mental maps, I plan on focusing more the public transportation system. Every person I talked to expressed a concern and dislike over the current system that is in place. Tackling public transportation in Portland is going to be a very interesting task because of the city’s small size and current demographic. All of the people I interviewed said they only stayed in the area they lived in and did not stray far from there. In order to revamp the public transportation situation we are going to have to approach this task from a very creative angle. Solutions that work in a place such as New York City is not going to work in Portland.

Mental Maps

1. Female, 22 years old, Store Manager, moved to Portland 2 years ago

2. César, Kathleen, and Elena Britos, currently live on Peaks Island, but used to live in Portland and South Portland, have been in the area for 9 years.

3. Male, 58 years old, Cashier at a convenient store, Playwright/Actor, lived in Portland for 21 years.

4. Female, 28 years old, Cook at a restaurant, likes to stay around the Eastern Promenade, lived in Portland for two years (was tired of “big” city life in Boston)

Complete Ethnography

1:00pm—arrived at speckled Ax with Rachel and Karl. For the most part everyone in the café is pretty young, and looks like they are students that go to maybe USM?  8 of the 12 people in the café are on laptops, 1 person on an ipad, 8 people are girls, 4 people are boys; there is a constant rate of people coming in an out.

1:17—same group of people…not much has changed. The scene is very “hipster”… Most people are still doing work or readings books. The café is a medium sized—has a warm feeling (chocolate colored walls) ambiance is very trendy.

1:27—the demographic is very white—I am the only black person in the café and there has not been a black visitor yet. A group of “trendy” boys just walked in that all kind of look like they walked out of portlandia. Not many couples—only two here right now. Most people seem to be of considerable wealth just from looking at the different brands and kinds of technology that people own. Very packed now. Not the kind of place where people just randomly sit at a table. The café has a small bar at the counter, 4 long tables on one side and 3 smaller round tables along —there is also a small seating area out front but today it kind of cold so no one is outside

1:37—most people are not talking they are either on their phone or doing work. Little spurts of noise come in and out. But for the most part it is a relatively quiet place. The staff that works here is pretty young, one boy and one girls—both are wearing black, are white…maybe they are college students?

1:47— across the street is not very busy—there is a vintage store that looks like it is not open. There aren’t many people on the street. Currently, I am drinking a café au laît but the smell of coffee beans in here is very strong. There are a lot of kinds of coffee that I haven’t heard of that they offer here—my knowledge of coffee is not as advanced

1:57—I am kind of hungry…. However, they do not offer here, just coffee. Not even like juice. Kind of a bummer. There is now an old man sitting next to me doing work. Currently hearing coffee brewing and beans roasting

2:07 –on the phone with my mom —not that many people came through the scene is pretty much the same scene.

2:17—I go to the bathroom and when I come back there seems to be a lot of people wanting to get coffee

2:27—There is a Hispanic woman crouched over her phone at the small table directly in front of me…not quite sure what she is doing because she has no wifi (she did not buy coffee). It’s kind of weird.

2:37—I am starving at this point. Contemplating going somewhere close to get food. Why do they not serve food? I see granola bars but I am allergic to most nuts and fruits and vegetables. Karl just asked the women in front to draw a map for him, smart idea. I am considering asking the man sitting in between Rachel and I to draw a map, but he seems a little busy (he is drawing a lot of measurements on quad paper)

2:47—kind of an older demographic but definitely the same kind people at the café. A lot of people wearing expensive outdoor gear, backpacks and flannels. Everyone is still pretty quiet and keeping to themselves (readings, laptop, work, on the phone). The music is alternative (eg. like the shins or )

2:57—there is no one on the street right now really. Someone walks by like every 3 mins. Not many people are stopping to look into store (it is kind of cold outside); just saw someone run by; this is the first time 2 men passed by who looked like they were more from a lower socio economic group. Mom just came is with her baby—there is like an equal distribution of men to women. The music is much more upbeat and loud than this morning.

3:07—Very chatty in here. Some one is on their phone, and both people on either side of me are talking. Someone is playing music on his or her phone. People are doing work, but it’s not as intense of a scene as earlier. Much more friendly environment I feel for people that are walking into the café or looking through the window. A lot of men are in here. Currently Rachel, me and another girl are the only women here. We are also clearly the youngest in here by maybe like 10/15 years.

3:17—Things on the street just got very busy. There is a large group of people standing in front of the store and looking in. Things have quieted down in the café. Just got an intense smell of coffee beans and the large group of people do not come in

3:27—not much has changed from the last 10 mins. The café is kind of empty right now   and more people are beginning to leave. A lot more people at the bar

3:37—leaving. Feels much more like lively. More people are talking and the environment is more conducive for conversation. A lot of people are talking and it now smells like a mixture of cleaning products and coffee.

My interpretation of my café ethnography is that Coffee by Design on India Street is in a gentrified neighborhood. The vast majority of patrons I saw in the café were 50s/60s Caucasians, followed by 30s/40s Caucasians, mostly well dressed. Most people visiting the café were only stopping in – not staying for prolonged periods. I suspect India Street is a popular thruway for Portland residents coming home from the south, but it seems out of the way for anyone coming from I-295. It’s only two blocks from Congress Street, though.

The next closest coffee shop is Crema in Arabica Roasters, down the hill. It’s larger and more noticeable from Commercial St, but Coffee by Design seems to have a following. Many patrons had reward cards, indicating regular customers. Coffee by Design also has four stores in Portland, making it a citywide known brand. CBD also has one location in Freeport (besides selling beans to other coffee shops around Maine, for example Little Dog in Brunswick) expanding its brand across the state.

Notes from Coffee By Design, India St. Oct 3^rd, 4:30-6:30pm

4:30 – Two older (70s?) white gentlemen in line to buy coffee, products. Older, white couple sitting by door. One barista making/ serving drinks – short, pixie cut with blue earings/gages, tattoo on arm. Middle-aged couple sitting outside.

4:40 – Second barista joins, tattoos on arm, also. Complains about being annoyed by road construction (broken sewer line) outside. Two older gentlemen from earlier sitting separately by front, one has an eastern European accent. One middle aged white man, one 30s white woman came in – eclectic outfit. Older black woman joined older white man w/out accent.

4:50 – 30s/40s white couple came in. 50s, 60s business attire white man came in. 30s/40s woman and 20s/30s man, both white working class, came in together. A couple, middle aged, white. An older man, latte for here sitting by front. 30s woman w/ infant. 20s woman.

5:00 – Middle-aged, apparently gay man came in. Older woman 60s? with young child (grandson?), hanging out for a little. 20s/30s couple. Older latte man still here, doing work.

5:10 – 30s, working class man. Older latte man still here.

5:20 – Kinda quiet. 20s white man. Getting a mental map from 2^nd barista. Two white teens/early 20s, one well-dressed (hipsterish), one normal dressed. 20s/30s white man. 40s/50s white woman.

5:30 – Quiet. Barista #1 cleaning while #2 works on mental map.

5:40 – Nobody new, latte guy still here.

5:50 – 30s white man with infant, staying, 20s/30s white woman, two 20s/30s white women together. 20/30s white woman in workout gear.

6:00 – 20s white man. 20s/30s white man. 50s/60s white man.

6:10 – 70s white woman/ 50s white woman together, staying. 30s/40s white couple. 60s white woman. Sudden surge: 20s white couple, staying. 50s white woman. 50s white couple. Teens/20s two white women, couple? 30s white man, staying.

6:20 – 20s white couple. 50s Indian(?) Woman. 60s white man. Young couple doing work, staying. Single 20s/30s man hanging out. 50s/70s women hanging out.

6:30 – Closing up shop, people still coming in. Two white 60s couples, 20s white woman.

10/21/14 2:30 – 3:30pm

2:30 – White, 60s man learning guitar; white, 40s business man on laptop; white, 30s man on laptop; white, 50/60s business man and 30/40s white business man talking about careers.

2:40 – guitar man talking to two 40s women; blue collar guys came in, all white, 20/30s.

2:50 – Guitar man left, as well as women talking to him; 50s white man; 20/30s white man in hoodie (left); 50/60s white man (left).

3:00 – 10/20s black(?) man and white woman together;

3:10 – Two 20s white women; white 50s mother with teen son; white 50s mother with teen daughter; 60s man and woman reading newspaper together.

3:20 – No one in line.

3:30 – Quieting down – 50/60s white man, 30s white woman, business men still here.

I cannot recall a time where I have sat in one place for almost 3 hours and just observed life go on around me. The café ethnography was an extremely interesting activity and really spurred some creative thinking. It was interesting for me to observe interactions and make assumptions about the people I was watching. The café that I was in, Bard Coffee, attracts a wide variety of people. Some students doing work, some people socializing, some business meetings, and some people grabbing a coffee after work. All of this simultaneously happening in one space was a very interesting dynamic to sit and observe. Although I don’t think that it can be classified as a purely public space since most everybody, including myself, purchased something before sitting down in the café, it is a great example of what keeps Portland public life thriving and engaged.

The mental maps also were all extremely different and really reflected the images that people have of the city. The commuter’s map that I got was very abstract and only included the places that he frequents, including a few bars and the food truck. The Meca student’s map was much more detailed but also included the few things that are most important to him in his daily life. Most of the recommendations I received included an improvement in the Parks Department, improvement in public transportation, and more public trash bins. All three of these suggestions seem to be a theme and often when people were asked for an improvement they had too much to say to even write down a few notes.

Cafe Ethnography Notes: Bard Coffee

Start: 4:20pm, Friday, October 3^rd

• A lot of people; many doing work with lap tops; some socializing; smells like good food and feels homey; music playing; people listening to their headphones; man at the table next to us is editing a paper with his feet up on a chair; person behind in a suit using his phone with a cup of coffee; everyone using real cups no plastic/paper/disposable cups; area to the left has comfy chairs/couch/table – other area has more tables; bar stools are old fashioned looking and comfy; outlets under the bar – presumably for people to use electronics/laptops
• Man in black just walked in and sat on the couch – nothing on him to do. Man at cash register is wearing a tie and a vest; Women just walked in socializing – look mom age but are friends; woman wearing a helmet just walked in with a messenger bag; Man in the suit still on his phone behind us; Man on his laptop to the left is now writing an email and no longer has his feet on the chair next to him; most people are still on their laptops etc doing what they did before; street outside is sunny and more people are walking around; students near the window are doing homework together – perhaps a project
• Couple just sat down next to us – woman is holding an iced drink and is wearing gloves, man has a china cup of presumably coffee; older man is at the cash register ordering a cookie and a drink, he is with a younger guy in a suite – probably in his late 20s; woman at the bar is still working on her ppt presentation; other woman at the bar is still on her phone/tablet with headphones in; man in black on the coach has left; man to the left with his laptop is still on his emails – probably in his 40s, he talked to us when the man in black left and said he was freaked out by him – we agreed;
• Man to the left on his laptop is now on Facebook and looks serious – wearing a button down. Couple behind us may not actually be a couple – she could be his daughter/niece, they are talking about doing yard work this weekend in the vegetable garden; mom and two kids just walked in – one boy and one girl – the mom looks like she is from Asia, the daughter is having fun on the chairs at the bar; man to the left just stood up to put his coat on; woman at the bar is still working on her presentation; other woman at the bar is still on her phone
• Man and woman behind us are on the phone with someone; man in the suit behind is now sitting with a woman and they are looking at something on their phones; woman at the bar who was working on her presentation is now packing up to leave; mom-friends just walked out with coffees; young man just walked in to the cashier in a neon shirt; kids with mom are named Sophia and Ben – their mom just called them and they moved from the bar to a table near the window; older man with younger guy in suit are still talking and drinking; two young girls (students?) walked in with bags and are waiting for the bathroom
• Two girls with bags just left the bathroom together (…weird) and are waiting for their drinks; man sat down at the bar with a huge camera and a large backpack – looks like he has been walking the city and observing others/taking pictures; older man and young guy in suit are still talking and currently observing the younger man’s watch; man and woman behind (non-couple) have left; the man in the suit sitting with the woman was just joined by another man in a flannel shirt; younger lady maybe a student just walked in a sat at the corner of the bar; woman at bar is still on her phone/tablet with headphones in; two people on their laptops are still there and have started socializing
• Students who were sitting near the window left; man on the coach just filled up a bag with water – looks like the backpack with water in it and a tube to your mouth; man with the large backpack at the bar is still there; less people are walking on the streets; another mom with a son and daughter walked in – look very Maine; woman on her tablet at the counter just put her sweater on but still has her headphones in; getting darker outside and the lights are getting brighter inside; Asian mom just walked out of the bathroom; old man with guy and suit are still talking
• Boy who got the water bag just walked out and left his friend with the laptop on the couch – he was holding the water bag so maybe wasn’t for the backpack; woman and man with a stroller just walked in – man has gages and woman doesn’t fit that profile at all; new man sitting at the bar between the woman with her tablet and the student; female student seems to know the barista – they are talking about pants with each other; older man and guy with a suit left; man with big backpack is still sitting at the bar with his back towards us; someone outside is putting advertisements on the windshields of all of the cars
• Café has emptied out a lot – girl on the couch with her lap top left and she looks a lot older than I thought she was; woman on her tablet has left; the three people behind us are still there and engaged in a lively conversation; the music seems louder but probably because there are less people here; man with the big backpack at the counter is still there – seems to be on his lap top but his back is to us, he is still wearing his backpack even though he is sitting down
• Older man walked in – probably mid 60s, with a brief case and in a button down, presumably just got out of work, he bought an apple and sat down on the couch with a briefcase, is starting to set up his laptop; two woman walked in together – one looks like she is wearing scrub bottoms; man at the counter is reading something and is still sitting next to the female student; female student is reading a book and sometimes talks to the female barista; the trio behind us are still talking and are very lively
• Two men walked in – look very Maine, one is wearing a flannel, one has gages, they both have long hair, one is carrying a brown paper bag and the other is carrying a bag and a bike helmet, they ordered something and are sitting at the bar where the man with the big back pack was sitting but has left; a woman in corporate clothes just walked in, she must have just gotten out of work; old man on the couch just got off the phone which he plugged into the wall – it is a flip phone; woman waiting for her coffee is wearing a flannel, ripped jeans, and has a nose ring; female student at the bar is still studying and man at the bar next to her is looking distracted from his reading
• Old man at the couch has started cutting his apple and eating it – he pulled a napkin out from underneath his mug really quickly it was actually quite cool; corporate woman who got her coffee sat down at the table behind us (where the trio was previously) with a man with sleeve tattoos and dreadlocks – a very odd match, it looks like they are doing work and some sort of finance? Not sure if they are paying each other back or if they are figuring out something; a boy and girl walked in and are figuring out what to order; two men at bar are drinking coffee and talking; female student and male are still at the bar studying/reading
• Got a lot busier! A family walked in with two little kids, two older kids, and what looks like two moms; an older man in a suit is now here; the couple that were deciding what to buy are now sitting together on the couch but are getting up to leave; a man sat to the left (where the laptop man was earlier) and is on his phone – looks like he is in his 30s; the two guys at the bar are still there with their backs to us; the female student is still reading and the male is still at the bar reading again
• Man in the short-sleeve shirt to the left just spilled his hot coffee on himself/the ground and is now cleaning it up; the family with a lot of kids sat at the couch and are all drinking big cappichino-esque drinks, the kids have chocolate chip cookies; the old man is sitting in the couch area still in a big chair on his laptop with a red mouse on the arm of the chair; a couple just walked in and ordered coffee – look like tourists maybe coming from the art walk? They are both wearing sneakers; there are a few people sitting on their own on the other side of the café; everyone at the bar is still there
• The kids from the family are livening the place up a bit; the student and man at the bar are still silently studying; the potential-tourist couple have sat at the table behind us where the tattoo guy and corporate woman have left; the two men at the bar with their back to us are in a very serious-looking conversation; the potentially grandmother from the family is taking pictures of them all on the couch but they don’t like it; the old man is still on his lap top; the woman with the nose ring has just appeared from around the corner and has put her mug away in the bin; the female student is talking to the barista again – definitely friends

Mental Maps

1. Jessica Tomlinson. Female, age 43. Arts Administrator at Meca. Has lived in Portland for 20 years in the West End. Improvement: re-instate a fully funded Parks Department.

Would like to hear more about the study: [email protected]

2. Nick Gonthier. Male, Age 21. Artist/Flatbread Employee – senior at Meca. Has lived in Portland for 4 years.

Would like to hear more about the study: [email protected]

3. Female, 49. Accountant at Meca. Has live in Portland for 9 years downtown.

4. Bill Leavy. Male, 42. Food truck employee in Congress Square Park. Has lived in Maine for 10 years – commutes from Scarborough. Improvement: more trash bins and better public transportation.