Bangor Bets On Arena

Voters in Bangor, Maine, have approved a plan to build a $65 million, 8,000-capacity arena and convention center complex to replace the city’s aging Bangor Auditorium & Civic Center.

But while officials have expressed a desire to begin construction this summer on the project, the city has some big decisions to make before breaking out the shovels.

Bangor has yet to secure construction contracts, a financing plan for the project or a company to manage the building after it’s completed, according to the Bangor Daily News.

SMG and Global Spectrum were previously noted as contenders to manage the new arena.

Funding for the facility will come in part from slot machine revenues at Hollywood Slots and a special downtown tax district. A representative for a local economic development group told the paper naming rights are also on the table and three major foundations in the region have expressed an interest in offering private financing.

In addition, two bills making their way through the state legislature could bring additional funds to the project.

If passed, LD 1418 would permit card games at Hollywood Slots and LD 895 would lengthen the amount of time the city of Bangor could use funds from the taxing district to support the arena, the Daily News reported.

Construction on the project is expected to take roughly two years.