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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 33 A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 1 5 "Young people have played a major role in the evolution of downtown Bangor," McLaughlin says. e nonprofi t prides itself on getting people active in the community through sports leagues, beautifi cation projects, and networking events for Bangor-area pro- fessionals. e group's "Downtown Proud" initiative lends visibility to downtown where retail businesses stay open later than usual on a chosen weeknight and off er discounts for shoppers. " e size of Bangor means that you have the opportunity to make your mark here and make a diff erence," McLaughlin says. e majority of the beautifi cation eff orts, like the Adopt a Garden program and Fusion Bangor Cleanups, are volunteer eff orts, Emery says. " ese eff orts give community members a piece of owner- ship downtown. e area is authentic, interesting, charming, and pretty." e city's West Market Square revitalization project was fi nished this spring after one year of intense construction. " e original plan was for a two year renovation, but we really wanted minimal impact for the local businesses," Emery says. During con- struction last summer the area was hard to access, and the annual Cool Sounds Summer Concert series and Fresh Air Market on ursdays were moved to Central Street, further alienating the businesses surrounding the square. To help, Bangor Savings Bank passed out $10 gift cards to restaurants surrounding West Market Square last August, an eff ort that showed restaurant owners that the community was rallying behind them. is summer is quite diff erent. West Market Square is now home to a new restaurant, several options for al fresco dining, a huge crowd for the ursday night concerts and marketplace, and a brand new build- ing with tenants who want to live in the heart of it all. "If you want to sit outside and enjoy a meal or a drink on ursdays, you'd better get there early," Emery says. "I was down there last week and all available outdoor seating was fi lled at 4:30 p.m." Hubbard hasn't had any problems renting out his new loft spaces. His building sits between West Market Square and the Kenduskeag Stream. One of his new tenants, who wanted to live in the heart of downtown, commutes 40 minutes to Dover-Foxcroft for work. "Ten years ago a lot of people looked past the 'for rent' signs in Bangor and took a chance, just like I did," Hubbard says. "Slowly restaurants popped up and empty spaces were fi lled. Today it's clear that everyone wants to be a part of downtown Bangor." M e l a n i e B r o o K S , a w r i t e r b a s e d i n B a n g o r , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t e D i T o r i a l @ m a i n e b i z . b i z Come meet the 2015 Mainebiz Women to Watch For more information and to register, please visit mainebiz.biz/womentowatch PRESEN T ING SP ONSORS Tickets are $40 per person if you register before August 21. The Westin Portland Harborview 157 High Street, Portland September 15 5:00–7:00pm FOLLOW US @MBEVENTS #MBW2W15 GENA CANNING PINE STATE TRADING CO. HEATHER SANBORN RISING TIDE BREWING LOIS SKILLINGS MID COAST HEALTH SERVICES KRISTEN MAILE GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD BANK Downtown is the headline Downtown is the headline Downtown is the headline Downtown is the headline Downtown is the headline Downtown is the headline Downtown is the headline Downtown is the headline Downtown is the headline story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. story of Bangor right now. In the last two years there has been significant change ... For many years, Bangor didn't have depth on the bench. Today, the bench is phenomonal. — Tanya Emery, director of community and economic development, city of Bangor

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