Bangor Council Advances June Referendum on New Parks and Rec Facility

The Bangor City Council voted 7-1 to direct staff to draft a referendum question for a June ballot on replacing Sawyer Arena and the Main Street parks and recreation center with a consolidated facility on Griffin Road. Councilors also heard a police presentation arguing that Bangor's crime statistics look worse than other cities because of inconsistent reporting standards, not because the city is unsafe.

Key points

• The council voted 7-1 to move forward with drafting a referendum question for the June ballot on the consolidated parks and recreation facility; Councilor Mallar cast the no vote.
• Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Willette said Sawyer Arena is at the end of its useful life, with the original 30-year-old chiller, leaning dasher boards, and locker rooms that no longer fit modern hockey needs.
• City Manager Carollynn Lear presented a phased bonding scenario showing the highest annual bond payment just over $5.5 million, about a 6 percent tax rate increase, or roughly $300 per year on a $250,000 home, in the worst-case year.
• Police officials said a newspaper comparison of Bangor crime data to other Maine communities was accurate but misleading, because agencies report under different standards and Bangor reports all offenses rather than only the most serious one.
• Councilor Mallar questioned whether surrounding towns that use the arena should share more of its costs, and suggested a booster club or 501(c)(3) could help offset expenses.
• A resident who chairs the project's special committee tried to comment during the workshop; the chair said public comment would be taken at the 7 p.m. council meeting or by email.

Next steps

• Staff will draft a referendum question and continue the process through March to meet the timeline for a June ballot vote.
• The city will pursue congressional funding, grants, naming and sponsorship deals, and partnerships with Husson University and other institutions if voters approve the project.
• Police will review how harassment and threatening complaints are categorized and report back to the council on data reporting.
• The Downtown Bangor Partnership executive director is tentatively scheduled to give a quarterly update in March.

Read the full transcript