The New Maine Attraction

The Bangor City Council approved a $59 million contract for a new 5,800-seat arena and convention center Aug. 1.

The new venue will replace the Bangor Auditorium and is expected to be completed by late 2013.

The final figure was amended down from an estimate of $65 million.

Construction of the project by Cianbro Corp. gets officially under way with a groundbreaking Aug. 4.