Mainebiz

V O L . X X V I I I N O. X V I I I A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 2 2 20 F O C U S GREATER BANGOR / NORTHERN MAINE new structure will be nearly twice as long as the exist- ing structure. e new structure will also include wider travel lanes and added shoulders on both sides, along with a raised sidewalk on the downstream side. Like its predecessor, the new bridge is designed to last 100 years. After the new bridge opens to traffic in late 2023, Reed & Reed expects to begin demolishing the exist- ing four-span truss structure. "is is one of our larger bridge projects," Parker says, "but smaller than some projects in the wind power sector." He also notes that while the bridge height at 100 feet above the riverbed creates some difficulties, the project team is "doing an excellent job" working through the issues. "We are pleased with our safety, quality, cost and schedule performance metrics," he adds. Queen City shines in international spotlight W atch out, Waterville, now it's Bangor's turn for the international spotlight. Less than a month after Travel & Leisure magazine highlighted Waterville as a "big college town rich in arts programming," the New York-based publication has turned its attention to the Queen City. "ere was a time not long ago when the only asso- ciation Bangor, Maine, had was with its famous home- town author," the magazine says, referring to Stephen King. e write-up touts Bangor's appeal as a charming small city and Maine's best-kept secret. "While it's easy to swing by King's West Broadway home, which will soon serve as a museum and writer's retreat or book a tour with SK Tours of Maine LLC, the central Maine destination is also a place for travelers seek- ing good food, local beer and a blossoming music and arts scene without the crowds," the periodical says. Travel & Leisure caters to affluent, luxury-minded travelers, and claims a readership of 5 million, includ- ing those for several international editions. e write-up of Bangor underscores the appeal of its local culture and as an easy starting point for day trips to the coast or mountains. Retired Bangor police Lt. Tim Cotton, a social media sensation with 70,000 followers in Facebook, is also quoted in the piece. "Bangor is the ultimate base camp for visitors who want to taste, smell and feel all that Maine offers," he says. Sights mentioned in the article include the Briar Patch bookstore, the Maine Discovery Museum and the Maine Savings Amphitheater. HospitalityMaine CEO Matt Lewis noted that Bangor is a great city for residents and visitors, with excellent restaurants and a tight-knit community with parks and attractive walks. "e location in the state affords so many great opportunities that many visitors to Maine do not always see," he said, noting that Bangor home prices are also more affordable than many other parts of the state. Tanya Emery, Bangor's director of community and economic development, said the city is thrilled at the magazine coverage, "although we don't wish to remain a secret forever." She added: "Bangor has so much to offer people, both as a place to live and as a place to visit." Concert venue in comeback mode T he Maine Savings Amphitheater, still often referred to as Darling's Waterfront Pavilion after last year's name change, is staging a comeback after 2020's canceled season and a sharply curtailed season in 2021. e venue lost 70% of its business in 2021, with just four shows, by the rock band Kiss and three country performers. e 16,000-capacity venue is Maine's largest event space in a Mainebiz ranking published earlier this year, followed by the 10,000-capacity Harold Alfond Sports Stadium at the University of Maine in Orono, and the 7,500-capacity Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Amid a multi-year renovation set to be completed this fall, Maine Savings Amphitheater started its 2022 season nearly two months late on June 23. September's lineup includes country singer Luke Combs, in a sold- out Labor Day weekend show; as well as Aerosmith; Sting; REO Speedwagon and Styx with special guest Loverboy; and singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks. "We feel very positive about this season," says Alex Gray, of Old Town- based Waterfront Concerts. "We have more shows than in our inaugural year in 2010." e bullish outlook comes despite smaller shows this year, owing in part to the fact that some artists are not on tour this summer as they wait out the pandemic or choose not to deal with the patchwork of state COVID restrictions. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 2 » » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F WAT E R F RO N T C O N C E R T S The Maine Savings Amphitheater is having a busy 2022, after 2020's canceled season and a sharply curtailed calendar last year. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F T H E C I T Y O F B A N G O R Bangor may not be Maine's best-kept secret for much longer after a recent spotlight in Travel & Leisure magazine.

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