LEWISTON — Every Wednesday morning, all department heads at City Hall hold a meeting to touch base, usually on the third floor. This week, however, City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath said the meeting would be held across the street in Kennedy Park.

The park, he told city councilors last week, is the “crown jewel of our city park system,” but is currently “not an inviting place” for all residents and visitors. He said a new effort between Public Works and the Police Department will aim to change that.

Kaenrath said the city would be placing more emphasis on maintenance and minimizing “behaviors” in the park that make it uninviting, including public intoxication.

The renewed focus on Kennedy Park is part of a larger, multi-pronged effort to improve Lewiston’s image that Kaenrath has pushed since being hired earlier this year. Initial efforts will include graffiti cleanup, trash violation enforcement, and renovations to the Wiseman Bridge on Chestnut Street.

“Optics matter,” he told the City Council during his first administrator’s report this month, referring to the issue of graffiti. “When we talk about rebirth and revitalization, this is not in keeping with that vision,” he said.

Kaenrath has said that his conversations with elected officials, staff and the public since coming to Lewiston have made clear that public safety is the No. 1 concern, and the downtown’s biggest barrier to economic development. He also told the Sun Journal that he’d be looking for a series of “small wins” that can help generate momentum for revitalizing the city.

STARTING WITH KENNEDY PARK

Kaenrath said he recently met with police officials to discuss strategies for Kennedy Park, and he told residents they should expect to see more foot patrols. He also wants to have signs installed that more clearly state park rules.

According to police Chief David St. Pierre, the department is utilizing different sets of officers in Kennedy Park — from the criminal investigations division, undercover units, and special assignment officers, which has allowed an increased police presence without reducing coverage in other parts of the city.

St. Pierre said officers “look for the violations that make the park feel unsafe or unwelcoming,” including public drinking, drug use, riding motorbikes, and smoking, all of which are prohibited in city parks.

“It’s still early in this stepped-up effort, but we’re already seeing promising signs that these initiatives are making a difference,” he said.

Kaenrath said Lewiston’s public spaces “must be inviting and comfortable for all Lewiston residents and visitors to enjoy and not monopolized by just a few.”

“We are taking back Kennedy Park for all of our people,” he said. “Lewiston’s revitalization must begin with making sure we are looking our best and we stand as a community with pride ready to showcase our city for the prosperous years ahead.”

Asked if Kaenrath explained to staff why the Wednesday meeting was to be held in the park, city spokeswoman Angelynne Amores said the idea was that Kennedy Park is “one of our premiere parks in the city and we have to be able to engage with it and use it.”

The downtown park, bordered by Park, Pine, Bates and Spruce streets, is close to many organizations that serve the unhoused population, including some that operate mobile services or weekly events in the park. But, it’s also home to a playground, basketball courts, a skatepark and public pool that are popular among residents.

Councilor Scott Harriman said he supports the Police Department “keeping a closer eye on some of the behaviors that have proliferated downtown” and that he sees negative behaviors from “many different types of people.”

“Our sidewalks and parks should be a welcoming place for everyone, but in order to make that happen we need to have minimum standards of behavior,” he said. “Our standards need to be clearly defined and communicated as well as evenly enforced, regardless of someone’s housing status.”

Councilor Josh Nagine said he “wholeheartedly” supports the new focus, and that the city has “a responsibility to address physical conditions as well as behaviors that limit everyone’s ability to access and enjoy our shared public spaces.”

He said by tolerating “violent, illegal, threatening, obscene and destructive” behaviors in city parks, “we are saying to our residents, including youth and families, that these things are OK.”

“Do we value the quality of life and safety of the residents who live near Kennedy Park?” he asked. “What do visitors who come to Lewiston and those who have invested in our downtown business district read in our inaction and inability to address these challenges?”

Reached later in the week, Mayor Carl Sheline said he had already noticed a difference in the park.

“We’ve reclaimed Kennedy Park,” he said. “Our public spaces aren’t havens for out-of-town drug dealers, and I appreciate our police department’s efforts to keep our parks safe and welcoming spaces for our kids.”

CRACKING DOWN ON TRASH

For the past month, the city’s code enforcement department has been spreading the word to landlords and property owners citywide that it will be “cracking down” on solid waste ordinance violations.

According to a notice sent to property owners, code officers have observed a significant increase in violations recently related to curbside trash placement, the most significant problems with loose trash, containers without lids, and improper disposal of bulky waste.

Jon Connor, Lewiston’s director of planning and code enforcement, said Lewiston has had a solid waste ordinance in place for a long time, but it hasn’t been enforced as much as needed, particularly given the quantity and types of trash the city is seeing on the streets each week.

He said staff often sees “bags strewn all over the ground” or not tied, leading to trash blowing away or animals getting in. The ordinance states that waste must be placed in a covered container, but Connor said his department is “using common sense and exercising restraint” on where to issue violations.

The city recently sent more than 500 emails to landlords listed on the city’s rental registry, which accounts for roughly 900 buildings, Connor said. But, they’re also trying to get the word out to all residential areas in the city.

Code officers have been driving around on trash pickup days and taking photos of egregious violators, and Connor then reaches out with information about the rules, which essentially serves as a warning.

“Our plan all along was to give as much warning as possible,” he said. “We didn’t want to just jump into this and cause sticker shock for these property owners.”

The fine for a first offense is $100, followed by $210 for a second offense within six months of the first, and $420 for subsequent offenses within six months.

Connor said overall he’s received a positive response so far, with some telling him “about time,” while others have questions about trash bins. The city is slated to transition to an automated trash pickup system next year, which will give all property owners new bins for trash and recycling.

Asked about how the effort fits in with the city’s new goals laid out by administration, Connor said Kaenrath was “full send” on the trash ordinance enforcement effort when they discussed it during an initial meeting.

“He understood and wants to get the city cleaned up,” Connor said.

THE PROBLEM WITH GRAFFITI

Kaenrath told councilors last week that Public Works crews will be more proactive with removing graffiti in the city, saying, “We’re going to get a handle on this.”

He said while graffiti “may seem like a small issue, it’s esthetically a problem” for cities looking to attract investment and revitalization.

According to Kaenrath’s report to the council, crews have already cleaned the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge over the Androscoggin River from Auburn, and his eyes are now on the area surrounding Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street.

“We do not want a ‘Welcome to Lewiston’ sign followed by a bridge completely tagged with graffiti,” he said in the report. “Optics matter.”

Because graffiti is a “recurring battle” in the city, he urged staff and residents to send reports to him or Public Works staff. He said he recently found graffiti in the alley on the backside of City Hall while walking around, and it’s since been removed.

Looking for another “small win,” Kaenrath is leading an effort to restore the historic Wiseman Bridge on Chestnut Street, which traverses the canal.

Kaenrath told the council the bridge is in “poor condition aesthetically,” with its recognizable light globes broken and unlit for years. There’s usually some graffiti there as well.

He said that following talks with Public Works staff the city will replace the lights, make other aesthetic fixes and could eventually host a “rededication ceremony” for the 1927 bridge.

“I think it will look amazing with the light globes relit after not being on for decades,” he said.