mainejeff

This was in the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday:

http://bangornews.com/news/t/city.as...984&zoneid=176




So it looks like they've pretty much settled on a site (near the current Bangor Auditorium) for the new arena. I think that this project will be fast tracked once the new casino opens across the street this summer. I'm hoping for a 2010 opening date. It also looks like a new hotel will be built on the current Auditorium site once it is torn down. A new arena, a new casino, and lots of new hotel rooms......right off I-395. Sounds like a good spot for the AE Tourney someday.

ccd494

I'll believe it when a shovel hits the dirt.

I estimate a 2049 opening, 22 years after the current Auditorium collapses.

mainejeff

I hear ya, but I think that this will be up and running in 3 or 4 years.....I believe that there are some major movers and shakers behind this, and A LOT of money involved. Plus it isn't Portland.

ccd494

I dunno, name one thing that has gotten accomplished in Bangor that wasn't privately funded.

mainejeff

This WILL be privately funded.

ccd494

Sure, the money comes from the casino, but the city still controls the expenditures.

If I were a billionaire, I'd build my own arena, downtown, and privately run it. Take it out of the city's hands. I have zero faith in the Bangor City Council.

UVMhoopsfan

Good luck getting a new arena built in Bangor! We're still waiting for one in Burlington, too...sounds like a race! lol

mainejeff

Structural steel going up now.......they've had great construction weather this fall.



Despite the fact that this facility will only have 5,800 seats......from the looks of the plans, it will be a very nice facility with 3 levels including some luxury boxes. Also will have an attached convention facility. Estimated completion date is Sept. 2013. I would not be surprised to see Maine schedule a game or 2 there for the 2013-2014 season. I still think that an AE Tourney is a possiblity down the road.......will all depend on $$$.

umainealum

Well hot damn...whadda ya know?!??! Are the plans still to build a hotel in behind that or has that all changed?

__________________
UMaine - the epitome of mediocrity

Proud supporter of an AMERICA EAST team that made a coaching change...

mainejeff

Those plans have changed, but they are removing the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center after construction is completed on the new facility.......which will become a PRIME piece of real estate behind the new facility. Maybe a new hotel and parking garage down the road?

I think that there is something somewhere in writing that Bass Park cannot be used for "private development"......but let's be real. Other than the Bangor State Fair......Bass Park has been vastly underutilized any way that you slice it. I'd like to see the Bangor Raceway go away (ain't happening) along with the Bangor State Fair.......and redevelop the entire thing from the golf course to Main Street. Bass Pro Shops along with a new movie theater (IMAX) and a handful of restaurants, a new "lodge" style hotel and spa at a newly redeveloped golf course, and new parking garage attached to the new arena where the Auditorium now sits.

I can dream, can't I?......

LastMinuteman

Shouldn't take long, that construction worker is HUGE.

WWII

LOL! I can't stop laughing after reading this.

mainejeff

Newest pic on construction progress.........

charliemike

I think 5800 seats is a perfect size for our programs. Heck, I might only go to 5k to be honest.

mainejeff

This isn't for UMaine......it is a City of Bangor facility about 10 miles from campus. I'm hoping that Maine will play there once in a while though.