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V O L . X X I V N O. X V I I I A U G U S T 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 20 G R E AT E R B A N G O R / N O R T H E R N M A I N E Bangor growth takes many forms From the waterfront to downtown, investment and change B Y P E T E R V A N A L L E N F O C U S B angor's growth can be seen on a number of fronts. The Hollywood Casino and Racetrack and Cross Insurance Center across the street are a focal point of entertainment and events. The Waterfront Concert series has successfully brought big music acts and people to Penobscot River waterfront. The downtown, which is arguably one of Maine's most architecturally distinguished, has seen an infl ux of new restaurants and stores. Bangor Savings Bank, Maine's second largest bank, has com- pleted one phase of its waterfront headquarters, with Phase 2 set to open next year. Challenges remain. The Bangor Mall has lost key tenants and has been sold. One of the downtown's most prominent buildings, the McGuire Building, features an impres- sive "Greetings from Bangor" mural, but the upper stories are crumbling and windows are literally falling out. The "opportunity" part of the challenge is that the building is in hope that a future owner would fi nd the building well situated to play a key part in the downtown revival. Here's an overview of some projects going on in Bangor. Bank HQ connects downtown to entertainment district Bangor Savings Bank recently opened the fi rst of its new waterfront headquarters buildings. e fi ve-story, 1,500-square-foot building houses the bank's administra- tive and wealth management divisions. It has a prominent place overlooking Front Street and the Penobscot River, a parcel bounded by Front Street, Railroad Street and Main Street. ( e street address for the fi rst building, 24 Hamlin Way, is a nod to the bank's founder, Elijah Hamlin, but don't try fi nding it with your GPS.) Steps from the completed building, on the same 4.6-acre parcel, is a second part of Bangor Savings' expansion, a 117,000-square foot operations center. It will open next year and is being built by Cianbro Corp., Maine's largest construction company (and builder of the WEX Inc. headquarters in Portland). In all, the site will be home to at least 400 people — employees who are buy- ing lunch, supporting local businesses, living in and supporting the region. e bank, with 60 branches, has a total of 800 employees. e project is estimated to have a value of $5 million. Its prior headquarters, at 99 Franklin St., about a mile away, was in the downtown business district. e new headquarters refl ects Bangor Savings' major role in the city, in eff ect creating a bookend for the downtown while connecting the enter- tainment district. "I think the Bangor Savings project is a great jump start on what the city has been working toward — that connection between the 'Entertainment Corridor' and downtown, so they don't feel like two totally diff erent things," says Tanya Emery, Bangor's economic development director. " e Entertainment Corridor concept is anchored by the Cross Insurance Center, Hollywood Casino and Raceway, and now Waterfront Concerts has a long-term deal which provides another anchor point. e spaces proximate to these are changing over in time, and the bank project puts many more employees in the vicinity on a daily basis. So it's not just about big show nights — it's about a daytime scene, an evening scene, a weekend scene — all in one." Home for business college on the horizon Husson University continues to work toward its goal of raising $16 million for a college of business building. e Bangor school hopes to break ground on the project sometime in the next two years. e Alfond Foundation jump-started the campaign last year with a $4 million grant — the largest in the college's 120-year history. Husson's College of Business building would have 2,000 square feet of "experiential" classrooms and offi ces, supported by an advanced technology infra- structure. e building will feature interactive learning spaces designed to foster interdisciplinary learning. It will fuse business education with science, technology, engineering, art and math opportunities. e STEAM-oriented learning spaces "will become the incubators of future jobs in our state," the college said. "Husson University is committed to meeting the needs of the Maine economy through its entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary educational initiatives," Greg Powell, chairman of the Alfond Foundation, said when the grant was made. " is is an institution with strong, committed leadership and a strategic vision for the future, and we are delighted to support its eff orts." P H O T O / P E T E R VA N A L L E N P H O T O / P E T E R VA N A L L E N R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y H U S S O N U N I V E R S I T Y In downtown Bangor a 'Greetings from Bangor' mural offers a warm hello to visitors, though the building is in need of work. Husson University is raising $16 million for a building to house the College of Business. Bangor Savings Bank has a prominent new headquarters on the waterfront in Bangor.

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