Report on the status of the Stillwater Park Project, Kenduskeag Stream Project, and York-Hancock Street Project.

To the Citizens of Bangor: It is our privilege to present herewith the revised Comprehensive Plan for the City of Bangor. In view of the significant economic, social, and physical change expected to occur in Bangor and the surrounding urban area during the next twenty-year period, we regard a sound long-range plan for guiding urban improvement, growth, and development as essential to our community well·being. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of general recognition and official sanction of the goals and objectives set forth herein. Although the Comprehensive Plan cannot be all things to all people, due weight and consideration has been given to all factors which might affect the economic, social, and Physical development of our community so that the ultimate plan would be as broad, inclusive, and realistic as possible in serving the interests, needs and desires of all of the people of Bangor. Only the key planning elements are presented in this report; further detail on any phase of the plan is available at the office of the Bangor Planning Department.

This report presents a condensed summary of activities in the Urban Renewal program in Bangor from the time of its inception in 1958 to the present day--a span of ten years. Bangor's program has been ambitious in scale; in attempting to renew the major portion of the central business district through the Kenduskeag Stream Project and in providing a new 130-acre subdivision development in the Stillwater Park Project area. Both projects have required a great amount of detailed planning and several innovative approaches have been developed to deal with the many unique aspects of these projects. Progress has been steadily maintained in both projects. The Stillwater Park Project is, for all intents and purposes, complete with the exception of land disposition. The demand for residential building lots has been slow since the first offering of land was made in 1966. However, the market picked up substantially during the current year and it is hoped that sufficient development will take place in 1969 to enable the Authority to make application for a major completion Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Review: 1965 was a year of intensive activity and progress in the Stillwater Park Project. Property acquisition was completed, as well as the relocation of families, businesses and individuals. Demolition of structures neared completion and a major portion of the planned public improvements was concluded under contracts to the City Public Works Department and private contractors. Preparations were made for property disposition and a program of voluntary and compulsory rehabilitation was instituted. Although poor titles hampered the acquisition program, negotiations were successfully concluded for all but 6 parcels out of a total workload of 211. The downtown renewal project entered the execution stage in 1965. Preparations were made for property acquisition, and by year's end, the Agency had acquired 4 commercial properties. Negotiations were held with potential developers, both the outside re-development specialist, and the local entrepreneur, as well as displaced businesses desiring land for relocation in the project area. Design consultants were engaged to assist the Agency in setting design objectives and criteria, which will be utilized in requesting proposals for redevelopment. At least 12 business firms had relocated into existing or new facilities.

Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Vote: 1. Do you want a $5,000,000 blitzkrieg for Bangor? With the demolition of 106 business buildings? 2. Do you want a government agency in control of a vast section of our downtown area? Or do you prefer civic improvement through private capital and initiative? 3. Are you willing to pay higher taxes if this project fails to replace existing businesses? The Wall Street Journal found that less than one third of the total area demolished by Urban Renewal has been put to productive use. 4. Why should we exchange what we have for promises of something that may not materialize? Expressions of interest and hopes for redevelopment are not guarantees ...

This booklet is presented with the compliments of Bangor's Official Urban Renewal Authority in the interest of Bangor citizens and taxpayers. Its purpose is to point out the need, the benefits and the urgency of this vital project. The documented facts will show that this is a now-or-never opportunity for Bangor to solve a serious community problem by accepting an outright Federal Grant, (not a loan) of $5,500,000 to accomplish this purpose. Most important of all, it will show that if we act now, this vital, multi-million dollar project can be completed with an expenditure of about $120,000 in city funds and with the aim of helping to hold down local taxes. Many misleading and frightening statements have been made about the impact of the downtown project upon the community. The information presented here is both factual and objective. The Bangor Urban Renewal Authority is interested only in the development and progress of the City of Bangor itself, and does not represent or speak for any private group or special interests. We urge every citizen and taxpayer to acquaint himself with the facts and figures contained herein. It will then be evident that Bangor's Urban Renewal Plan is beneficial both to Bangor now as well as to the Bangor our children will inherit.--Urban Renewal Authority of the City of Bangor, Francis A. Finnegan, Chairman

The year 1964 ran the gamut of local and federal approvals of the downtown projects from the filing of Part I of the Application for Loan and Grant in January to the execution of a Loan and Grant Contract in December. The Kenduskeag Stream project embraces 50.7 acres situated in the central business district. The plan provides for the acquisition of 135 buildings while retaining 63 for conservation and rehabilitation. The assessed valuation of real estate that would be acquired is $4,200,000. The principal objectives of the Kenduskeag Stream Urban Renewal Project are to preserve the economic vitality of the central business district as a retail center and wholesale market, to meet the demands for new retail floor space forecast in the Marketability Survey, to provide downtown sites for the relocation of existing wholesale uses, to develop new off-street parking areas which adequately support existing and new retail space, and to provide a circulation system which separates automotive from truck traffic and intercity from intracity traffic.

To the young we say: "Believe in Bangor". Vote for a city you'll be proud to live in. VOTE YES FOR URBAN RENEWAL. To the middle aged we say: "Believe in Bangor". Enjoy the benefits of living in an alive, alert, economically healthy and thriving city. VOTE YES FOR URBAN RENEWAL. To the elderly we say: "Believe in Bangor". Make your legacy to coming generations a thriving city they'll be proud to live in. VOTE YES FOR URBAN RENEWAL. To every citizen and taxpayer we say: "Believe in Bangor".

Program includes statistics, members of the Dedication Commitee, and photographs showing progress of the project: October 1961, Start of Construction of the Kenduskeag Plaza; February 1962, Erecting form for first section of West Wall; October 1962, Hot topping started on West Side; June 1963, Completion of Plaza Parking Project.

In accordance with the By-Laws of the Bangor Urban Renewal Authority, the annual report is hereby presented. The report reflects the continuing effort the Authority is making to improve the physical condition of our city and the environment to its residents through the urban renewal program. I respectfully submit that the execution of the Stillwater Project has proceeded expeditiously and with a minimum of hardship upon the residents in the are, and that the planning of our downtown project has been successfully concluded. We intend to vigorously pursue our role in the evolution of these projects, which will contribute so much to the betterment of the City of Bangor. Respectfully, Harold L. Thurlow, Executive Director

In May 1955, the Bangor City Planning Board received a report outlining Bangor's housing problems and prospects, "with a view toward establishing a local housing policy and program." Several of the recommendations of this report have been accomplished. A Housing Code was adopted. An Urban Renewal Authority was created. The City is about to execute its first redevelopment project. A section of this report is herewith quoted as a point of reference to evaluate the progress of housing, improvement in the past several years. "If Bangor's housing as a totality is to be kept from settling into a state or progressive degradation, means will have to be provided to assure; (1) the conversion of the precious existing supply of good dwellings and neighbornonds, (2) the rehabilitation of salvable dwellings and neighborhoods and (3) the studied elimination and redevelopment of certain cancer-like growths of blight and shums in existence in the community today.

One of the major objectives of Urban Renewal in Bangor will be to provide suitable, safe, decent and sanitary housing in well-planned and maintained neighborhoods. The removal of substandard structures is not enough. Definite efforts must be made to raise the quality of living accommodations as well as the homemaking habits and aspirations of those segments of the population who now are living or formerly have lived in slum settings. A cooperative endeavor among public agencies, home builders, realtors, civic groups and others is involved. A Relocation Office will be established in the Stillwater Park Area to afford maximum accessibility to project site occupants. The office will be situated in a building slated for demolition in the final stage of the Relocation Program and will serve as a clearing house for information and service to site occupants. The Relocation Staff will work out of this office aiding in the social, psychological and physical adjustments required of families in their transition from one area of living, and one pattern of habits to another.

The Bangor Urban Renewal Authority of Bangor, Maine, was organized in August of 1958, making the year 1960 the second year of operation. This report reflecting its events for the past calendar year is in accordance with the By-laws of the Authority. It is the purpose of the Authority to deal directly with the Federal Government, through the Housing and Home Finance Agency on behalf of the City of Bangor for the partaking of Federal loans and grants to eliminate substandard, slum or blighted areas within the city. During the past year the Authority has met in twelve regular and three special sessions. All regular meetings were held on the second Tuesday of the month at 8:00 A.M. in the City Planning Office at City Hall and were open to the public.

Why an industrial park for the city of Bangor? Modern Industrial management wants to avoid the inherent difficulties of city locations, parking, crowding and lack of growth space, and still maintain the advantages of a ready labor market and of transportation that the city provides. Space for one story plants, off street parking and loading, and future expansion are relatively impossible to find in any decent sized city. The large city is by its very nature a crowded, densely populated area. Only a planned industrial park site can offer management what it wants ...

A special section of the Bangor Daily News marketed to attendees of the 1964 Maine Teachers Association Convention in Bangor, Maine. "On behalf of the Bangor Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Bangor-Brewer Convention Bureau, ws extend a sincere welcome to all of our Maine Teachers to your 1964 State Convention. It is an honored privilege to serve as your hosts for this most important conference. We want you to enjoy your convention and to know that during your stay with us, any service we can render will be available to you. We extend our best wishes for a successful and fruitful convention."