HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-09-13 82-239 ORDER82-239
/ Introduced by Councilor Jordan, September 13, 1982
CITY OF BANGOR
(TITLEJ (@rjl2ra LRruy'ng end Adopting C®unity. Developmo t Downtown
By tle CiW Consul or the City ofBangor: .
ORDERED, -
THAT F4@'RBA9, under the provisions of �TitSe ,l of the -Roaring and
Community Development Act of 1974, the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development is authorized to provide financial resistance to local governments
for undertaking that carrying out C®muvity, Development Progress; and
WRERBAS, there has been prepared and referredtothe City Council
of the City of Bangor for approval and adoption a "Community Development
Downtown Revitalization Program", a copy of which is on file in the office of
the City Clerk; and
NEEPEAS, a Comprehensive Plan has beenpreparedand is recognized
and used as a guide for the general development o4 the City of Bangor'as a
whole and
WlIIffiRS, the Planning Board of the City oP Bangor has reviewed
the Program awed has submitted to the City Council in writing its report and -
recommendations respecting the Program indicating that the Program conforms
with the City of Saeger Comprehensive Plan and applicable zoning u'adinencee;and
W TUKAS, the City of Bengox bas made studies of the location,
physical conditions of structures; -land we; environmental influences, wood social,
cultural, end economic conditions of the Downtown Area and has determined that the
area is a blighted area as defined in 30 M.R.S.A. g 4852 (1) end that the conditions
herein fall within the "findings and declaration of necessity" as set forth in
30 M.R.S.A. g 4851; and
Y REAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the City of
Hanger, as part oP its Community Development Program having as its primary objective
the development of a viable community by providing decent housing, a suitable
diving evviramevt sed the expansion ofeconomic opportunity, .principally for
persona of low- and moderate-inn®e, undertake and carry out the Revitalization
Program for the Downtown encompassing the area ss described in theprogram;
NOWT', THE� DE IT ORDDAID LY TED: CITY COMCIL OF THD CITY OF
HhNCAA:
THAT it's hereby Pound end determined that the Downtown Revitalization
Program Area is a blighted area as defined in 30 M.A.S.A. § 4852 (1) and is hereby
desigaated as Buck.
THAT the Downtown Revitalization Pregram dated September1982a copy
of which is on file Sn the --office of the City Clerk, is hereby approved and adopted
by the City Council of the City of Bangor'In accordance with 30 M.R.S.A. y 4853.
82-239
}:C
IN CITY CCkMIL O R D E R
y September 13, 1982 ^ Ol
Continue luolic dealing Re£exred
to Planning Bid - Consider next 'Title'
m
meeting by the following yes and App�,ing and Adopting Community
no votes. Councilors voting ,yea:...................................... p1 -
Provo, Jordan, MoKernan, SwCY,
weymouth, Willey andzerdzien.
Nevelopmene owntawn Rrvitalfeation PiCGraw
.
Cwnciloi voting Wf Gass. """"""'"""""""""""'
Cw 192 aYeeiT: PJit�eJY.1.
L/)Y/C uced .and Hled by
Uesx LINER
IN CITY GCMG I1 .. ..unci
September UM 1982 Counei n
PUElic 'ng - Consider nna mating.
FnaLXMNZ
ITY
In City Council October 13, 198Q Amended &
Passed by the following yea and rc votes
8 Yes I No Voting Yes Brown,Jordon,Mc Kernan,
Por fe r,5outy,Weymouth, Wi l l ey,Ze ndzl an
VcLymg No Gass Ad e d f atf h d
Amended By the doilo,l Yes and no Votes
Vai'f t ng-yi tgrN'»n`,Fj>Ndsn c Ke. rnan, Ron tz r,
5'ou y W y oyfh,W II y, endmian Voting No
Gass
C ¢4"q k _
mP?
DdRigor. the Center of Maine—the Gateway to Maine's North Woods and Srahorc Resorts
ROOIMYnMI CITY HALL
JOHN M. LORD n...i�. orx... rs.. xrt MITI
adq of PAngnr, MnhR
DEPARTMENT Of PLUANNIND AM COMMUNITY 'EVEILONAINT
DATE: September 21, 1982
TO: The Honorable City _Council
FROM: The Planning. Board
SUBJECT: City Council Referral
"Community Development Downtown Revitalization
Program" C.O. p 82-239
Please be advised that the Planning Board at its regularly
scheduled meeting on September 20, 1982 discussed the above referral
request.
The Board unanimously voted to indicate that the proposed
"Comsunity Development Downtown Revitalization Program" was in -
conformity with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
John M. Lord
Planning. O€ficer
JML/P
ORIGINPL
CITY OF BANGOR
CONliJNITY DEVELOPMENT
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
Submitted to:
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCOR -
September, 1982 _
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
I. PURPOSE
As part of the City of Bangor's on-going efforts under its
Community Development Program to eliminate blight and prevent
blighting influences and the deterioration of property and com-
munity facilities of importance to the welfare of the community;,
to eliminate conditions which are detrimental to health, safety,
and public welfare through code enforcement, demolition, interim
rehabilitation assistance, and related activities; to restore and
preserve properties of special value for historic, architectural,
or aesthetic reasons; and to alleviate physical and economic dis-
tress through the stimulation of private investment, the expansion
Of economic opportunities, and community revitalization; the City
is adopting a comprehensive program for the revitalization of the
downtown area (See Exhibit A for Downtown Area Boundary).
In order to restate the City's on-going commitment to a
restoration of the downtown as a functional, economically vital,
aesthetically pleasing, social and cultural center of the community
and the region, and to provide the basis for individual programs
and actions by the City, the policy statements of this program
are enumerated in this document.
The objectives of this program a
aconsistent with those of
the City's Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program
and the requirements of the Community Development activity under
Title 30, Subchapter III -A of the Maine Revised Statutes.
II. REVITALIZATION POLICY
It is the intent of the City of Bangor to pursue the revital-
ization of its downtown area through:
1. The allocation of City Staff time and expertise to
address downtown needs and projects.
2. The research and analysis of conditions in the downtown
periodically.
3. Establishment of and participation incooperative public/
private sector organizations dealing with the downtown.
4. Provision of necessary public improvements toenhance
the functionality and appearance of the downtown.
5. Adoption of such ordinances and formal programs as is
necessary to fulfill revitalization needs.
6. Involvement of individuals and groups concerned with
the downtown in the On-going revitalization process.
T. Support of private sector indestmenc and actions in
the downtown through information and assistance in
securing and providing such technical and financial
assistance as may be available through public and
private sources.
8. Encouragement of private sector investment in the
downtown through promotional efforts, staff assistance,
the creation of organizational entities, special districts,
or such other financing vehicles as may be appropriate.
9. The development of such official policies as may be
necessary to deal with the myriad of conditions, programs,
and services in the downtown.
10. The active pursuit of federal and state financial
assistance to fund and carry -out various specific down-
town improvement, development and redevelopment projects.
III. BACKGROUND
The concept of downtown revitalization was initiated i
1964 by adoption of the Kenduskeag Stream Urban Renewal Project
by the City of Bangor and the Bangor Urban Renewal Authority.
The Project was designed to eliminate deteriorated properties,
incomputable mixtures of retail and wholesale uses, and to
provide space for new commercial development and expansion. The
project encompassed 51 acres of land in the downtown area of which
approximately 14 acres were acquired and cleared. Of these 14 acres,
approximately 6.5 acres remain to be redeveloped. _
Extensive improvements to public facilities were undertaken
and completed involving Broad Street, Merchants Plaza, Columbia
Street parking deck, French Street, Exchange Street, the Exchange
Street parking lots, Hammond Street, State Street, Hancock Street,
Independent Street, Washington Street, Main Street, West Market
Square, Central Street, Park Street, Short Street, Franklin Street,.
Harlow Street, Union Street, Oak Street, Water Street, York Street,
park and open space areas at the intersection of West Market Square
and Main Street and along Merchants Plaza, the pedestrian walkway
over the Kenduskeag Stream, improvements to the Haymarket and
Pickering Square areas, and the Kenduskeag Parking Plaza (see Table
I). Recent improvements have been the completion of the -reconstruc-
tion of Columbia Street and the Columbia Street parking lot. Scheduled
to be undertaken and completed in 1982 are the reconstruction of the
TABLE I
DOWNTOWN STREET IMPROVEMENTS
i
Street
New
New
New -
New
New
New
Street
Pavement
Sidewalk
underground
Street
Storm
Sanitary
Water
New
Streets
Construction
Overlay
a Curb
Cable
Lighting
Sewers
Sewers
Lines
Landscre ping
West Market Sq.
.,
rt
a
'
Merchants Plaza
Columbia Street
rt
S
a
-
Exchange Street
n
rt
e
:
rt
rt
Hammond Street
rt
a
x
rt
State Street
n
rt
rt
Hancock Street
rt
n
_
a
Independent Street
n
rt
e
Washington Street
Main Street
Oak Street
Water Street
..
..
..
e
x
York Street
e
Broad Street
Central Street
-
.t,a
a
-
Park Street -
s
Short Street
Franklin. Street
Hari ow Street
Onion Street-
-
..
..
travel way and sidewalks on Middle and Crass Street, and the re-
construction of sidewalks on Franklin Street from the Kenduskeag
Stream to Harlow Street.
In 19]] the City of Bangor through the Community Development
Program purchased the six remaining Urban Renewal parcels from the
Bangor Urban Renewal Authority and entered an agreement with the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development assuming the
responsibility for carrying out and completing the Kenduskeag
Stream Urban Renewal Project in accordance with the Kenduskeag
Stream Urban Renewal Plan. At the time transferof responsibilities
for the project from the Bangor Urban Renewal Authority to the City
took place, the City also secured the Department of Housing and
Urban Development's approval to designate the entire downtown area,
including the Kenduskeag Stream Urban Renewal Project, as a Com-
munity Development Project Area thus making this area eligible for
Community Development funded activities.
IV. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
In pursuit of fulfillment of the objectives of downtown
vitalization the City has available to it a number of implementa-
tion programs and techniques. Ranging from the implementation of
broad land use objectives, as expressed in the City's Land Use
Plan, to the specific improvement of physical details in the
downtown through streetscape treatment, such as that employed in
Columbia Street, the City will continue to support public and
private improvement efforts in the downtown area.
A. Improvements to Privately Owned Property.
In addition to creating a climate for private investment
in the downtown through comprehensive programs of public
improvements and improved services, the City is committed to
assisting private sector investment in the downtown through
such coordinated programs as a facade treatment program and
an accompanying loan pool to reduce interest rates for monies
expended in cleaning up and renovating building facades. The
City will also assist individual projects by making available
to private investors financial assistance through available
loan or grant programs, such as the Urban Development Action
Grant Program and the Community Development Block Grant Program.
The need for higher levels of utilization of upper story
space through renovation for medium rent office uses, resi-
dential use and other innovative activities will be encouraged
through assistance by the City in such areas as provision of
flexible parking policies to accommodate parking for downtown
residential users and other innovative accommodations of the
needs of downtown building rehabilitation and reuse activities.
As recommended by the American City Corporation, the
City intends to establish a comprehensive facade treatment
ordinance and an accompanying loan pool to provide financial
assistance for the rehabilitation of privately owned properties.
B. New Development
The City will continue to implement its 1964 Urban
-R newal Plan and proceed with the marketing and development
of the remaining unsold parcels acquired under the Urban
Renewal Program. In a cases additional marketfeasibility
studies may be necessary to determine the present reuse
feasibility of these parcels.
As any major new development is secured on the urban
renewal parcels the City will pursue the provision of the
additional parking required, through such programs as Urban
Development Action Grant funds and CDBG funds. As any large
scale building development on the three major commercial reuse
parcels occurs, there will be a need for deck parking to replace
the ground level spaces last to development and to provide for
the incremental increase for parking generated by such develop-
ment.
C. Improvements to Public Facilities
The City will continue its public facility improvement
program for the downtown as funding and other opportunities
permit. The City has already committed monies totheimprove-
ment of several streets in the 142 construction season in-
cluding Middle Street, Cross Street and Franklin Street. The
City's public improvement program n the downtown covers a'
range of needs which notonlyprovide and improve necessary
services through such elements as improved traffic circula-
tion, but also provide more appropriate and more aesthetic
facilities in parking areas,existing parks, and along the
street rights-of-way themselves. The proposed public facility
improvement program encompasses a range of types of projects
to meet various objectives of the downtown revitalization
programprogram:
1. Street improvement and streetscaping projects.
Urban Renewal and Community Development monies
have already been committed to several extensive down-
town streetscaping projects which include the practical
needs for new pavement, new sidewalks, new lighting,
and integration of these with the service infrastruc-
ture through curbing, storm drains, etc. However,
these projects also include aesthetic considerations,
landscaping and pedestrian amenities. The Columbia
Street project is a recently completed prototype for
other streetscaping activities in the downtown.
6
Main Street, Central Street, and.Haamond Street
are all slated for streetscape treatment in the near
future. Other areas will be programmed as need and
funding are determined.
2. -Traffic Circulation -
Along with the replacement of pavement noted i
the streetscape projects, is a continuous program for
the improved circulation of traffic in the downtown.
The responsibility for this program is largely
shared one with the Maine Department ofTransportationas this agency has responsibility for the federal and
state designated highways which go through the City's
center. Also, the Maine DOT will continue to be
involved with highway and other transportation funding
which comes from the federal sources under the new
Metropolitan Planning Organization which will have
transportation planning responsibility for the urbanized
area of the newly established SMSA. The MPO, however,
will have a large responsibility in allocating federal
monies to street and highway projects in the Bangor
SMSA.
With the completion of the I-395 Third Bridge
project, much of the thru-traffic congestion,"caused
by river crossing traffic moving through the downtown
areas, will be relieved. The City will encourage
replacement of the old Penobscot Bridge to further
improve cross river traffic flow in the Bangor -Brewer
area in the late 1980'x.+
The continued improvement of lighting and key
intersections in the downtown to alleviate minor .bottle-
necks in traffic flow, as well as improved signage in
the downtown area, will facilitate more easy movement
throughthe downtown. At the same time streetscape
elements which provide islands at key pedestrian cross-
ways will facilitate pedestrian movement in the down-
town core.
3. Parking -
In recent years the City has developed a con-
siderable amount of surface level parking in the down-
town on permanent parking lot locations andthrough the
landscaping of temporary parking .lot areas on unused
urban renewal development parcels. It is quite clear
that when this surface parking on the development parcels
is displaced by new development, it will necessitate
Provision of additional parking to replace those dis-
placed spaces as well as to provide for the incremental
increase in parking demand caused by the development
itself. Any extensive developmentproject on one
ofthe major urban renewal parcels will probably
necessitate the initiation: of high cost, deck parking
in the downtown.
The funding of parking garage facilities will
have to come from a variety of sources. In the case
of an extensive development project it is possible
that Urban Development Action Grant funding might be
available to pay for some or all of the necessary
parking garage construction cost. If such a program
is not possible, then other financing techniques such
as revenue bonds will be explored. The City i
committed under its Urban Renewal Plan to see to it
that such parking is provided in conjunction with
the development of these urban renewal parcels.
The City is continuously monitoring the pricing
and duration policies for parking in the downtown and
will continue to revise these policies to meet changing
parking needs.
4. Waterfront Improvements
Recent studies of the downtown .area (by American
City. Corporation) and the Penobscot River Waterfront
(Anderson Nichols Study) have pointed out the importance
of and the potential of the waterfront in the future
reuse and redevelopment of the core area of the City.
MeCity is presently in&olved in developing a major
public landing and docking facility on the Penobscot
River on Pront Street, which has excellent access into
the downtown. There are a number ofproposals to
improve, through landscaping and provisionof pedestrian
access, other sites alongthe river and stream frontage
to enhance the accessibility of the river and stream
as well as to contribute to the overall attractiveness
and desirability of the downtown.Itis the intent of
the City to pursue a number of potential improvements
which can be made to various facilities and sites along
the river and streamfront in the near future and longer
term as well as additional' landscaping and pedes-
trian amenities along the Renduskeag Parking Plaza.
s�lr'tS1if35
City Council adoption of the Downtown Revitalization Program con-
tained
in this document provides an opportunity for the restatement of
the support of the City, for the downtown revitalization program in general
and provides an overall policy framework upon which specific plans, pro-
grams, and other necessary City actions in the future can be based.
Amended CO - October 13, 1982
CITY OF BANGOR
COWUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
Submitted to:
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR
September, 1982.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROGRAM
PURPOSE
As part of the City of Bangor's on-going efforts under its
Community Development Program to eliminate blight and prevent
blighting influences and the deterioration of property and com-
munity facilities of importance to the welfare of thecommunity;
to eliminate conditions which are detrimental to health, safety,
and public welfare through code enforcement, demolition, interim
rehabilitation assistance, and related activities; to restore and
preserve properties of special value for historic, architectural,
or esthetic reasons; and to alleviate physical and economic dis-
tress through the stimulation of private investment, the expansion
of economic opportunities, and community
nity revitalization; the City
is adopting a comprehensive program the revitalization of the
downtown area (See Exhibit A for Downtown Area Boundary).
In order to restate the City's on-going commitment to a
restoration ofthedowntown as a functional, economically vital,
aesthetically pleasing, social and cultural center of the community
and the region, and to provide the basis for individual programa
and actions by the City, the policy statements of this program
are enumerated in this document.
The objectives of this program are consistent with those of
the City's Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program
and the requirements of the Community Development activity under
Title 30, Subchapter III -A of the Maine. Revised Statutes.
II. REVITALIZATION POLICY
It is the intent of the City of Bangor to pursue the xevital-
ization of itsdowntown area through!
1. The allocation of City Staff time and expertise to
address downtown needs and projects.
2. The research and analysis of conditions in the downtown
periodically.
3. Establishment of and participation in cooperative public/
private sector organizations dealing with the downtown.
4. Provision of necessary public improvements to enhance
the functionality and appearance of the downtown.
5.
Adoption of such ordinances and formal programs as is
necessary to fulfill revitalization needs, including but
not limited cc the adoption of an ordinance establishing
mandatory minimum rehabilitation and/or maintenance
standards for properties located within the downtown area.
6.
Involvement of individuals and groups concerned with
the downtown in the on-going revitalization process.
i.
Support of private sector investment and actionsinthe
downtown through information
and assistance in securing
and providing such technical and financial
assistance as
may be available through public and private sources.
8.
Encouragement of private sector investment in the down-
town through promotional efforts, staff assistance, the
.creation of organizational entities, special districts,
or such ocher financing vehicles as may be appropriate.
9.
The development of such official policies as may be
necessary to deal with the myriad of conditions, programs,
and services in the downtown.
10.
The active pursuit of federal and/or, state financial
assistance and participation in various municipal financing
mechanisms, such as the issuance
of revenue obligation
securities pursuant to 10 M.R.S.A. 991061
'
et seq., to
fund and ublic
out pend/ora
ments, development,redevelopment projerivate cts.
p projects.
III. BACKCROUNU
The concept of downtown revitalization was initiated in 1964
by adoption of the Kenduskeag Stream Urban Renewal Project by the
City of Bangor and the Bangor Urban Renewal Authority. The Project
was designed to eliminate deteriorated propertiesto , Authority.
The
mixtures of retail and wholesale uses, and ernes lin space for
new commercial development and expansion. The project encompassed
51 acres of land in the downtown area of which approximately 14
acres were acquired and cleared. Of these is acres, approximately
6.5 acres remain to be redeveloped.
Extensive -improvements to public facilities were undertaken
and completed involving Broad Street, Merchants Plaza, Columbia
Street parking deck, French Street, Exchange Street, the Exchange
Street parking lots, Hammond Street, State Street, Hancock Street,
Independent Street, Washington Street, Main Street, West Market
Square, Central Street, Park Street, Short Street, Franklin- Street,
Harlow Street, Union Street, Oak Street, Water Street, York Street,
Park and open space areas at the intersection of West Market Square
and Main Street and along Merchants Plaza, the pedestrian walkway'
over the Kenduskeag Stream, improvements to the Haymarket and
Pickering Square areas, and the Kenduskeag Parking Plaza (see Table
I). Recent improvements have been the completion of the reconstruc-
tion of Columbia Street and the Columbia Street parking. lot. Scheduled
to be undertaken and completed in 1982 are the reconstruction of the
TABLE I
DOWNTOWN STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Street
New
New
New
New
New
New
Street
Pavement
Sidewalk
Underground
Street
Storm
Sanitary
Water
New
Streets
Construction
Overlay
6 Curb
Cable
Lighting
Sewers
Sewers
Lines
Landscaping
West Market Sq.
*
*
*
*
Merchants Plaza
Columbia Street
*
-
*
*
Exchange Street
*
-
Hammond Street
x
*
n
State Street
*
*
*
Hancock Street
*
t
*
_
Independent Street
.
Washington Street
*
*
-
Main Street
Oak Street
Water Street
*
*
*
a
n
York Street
*
*
_
*
Broad Street
*
*
a
n
Central Street
*
*
a
Park Street
-
Snort Street
*
*
Franklin Street
*
Harlow Street
Union Street
a
+
travel way and sidewalks on Middle and Cross Streets and the re-
construction of sidewalks on Franklin Street from the Kenduskeag
Stream to Harlow Street.
In 1977 the City of Bangor through the Community Development
Program purchased the six remaining Urban Renewal parcels from the
Bangor Urban Renewal Authority and entered an agreement with the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development assuming the
responsibility for carrying out and completing the Kenduskeag
Stream Urban Renewal Project in accordance with the Kenduskeag
Stream Urban Renewal Plan. At the time transfer of responsibilities
for the project from the Bangor Urban Renewal Authority to the City
took place, the City also secured the Department of Housing and
Urban Development's approval to designate the entire downtown area,
including. the Kenduskeag Stream urban Renewal Project, as a Com-
munity Development Project Area thus making this area eligible for
Community Development funded, activities.
IV. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
In pursuit of fulfillment of the objectives of downtown
vitalization the City has available to it a number of implementa-
tion programs and techniques. Ranging from the implementation of
broad land use objectives, as expressed in the City's Land Use _
Plan, tothespecific improvement of physical details in the
downtown through streetscape treatment, such as that employed in
Columbia Street, the City will continue to support public and
private improvement efforts in the downtown area.
A. Improvements to Privately Owned Property.
In addition to creating a climate for private investment
in the downtown through comprehensive programs of public
improvements and improved services, the City is committed to
assisting private sector investment in the downtown through
such coordinated programs as a facade treatment program and
an accompanying loan pool to reduce interest rates for monies
expended in cleaning up and renovating building facades. The
City will also assist individual projects by making available
to private investors financial assistance through available
loan or grant programs, such as the Urban Development Action
Grant Program and the Community Development Block Grant Program.
The need for higher levels of utilization of upper story
space through renovation for medium rent office uses, resi-
dential use and other innovative activities will be encouraged
through assistance by the City in such areas as provision of
flexible parking policies to accommodate parking for downtown
residential users and other innovative accommodations of the
needs of downtown building rehabilitation and reuse activities.
As recommended by the American City Corporation, the
City intends to establish a comprehensive facade treatment
ordinance and an accompanying loan pool to provide financial
assistance for the rehabilitation of privately owned properties.
B. New Development
The City will continue to implement its 1964 Urban
Renewal Plan and proceed with the marketing and development
of the remaining unsold parcels acquired under the Urban
Renewal Program. In some cases additional market feasibility
studies may be necessary to determine the present reuse -
feasibility of these parcels.
As any major new development is secured on the urban
renewal parcels, the City will pursue the provision of the
additional parking required, through such programs as Urban
Development Action Grant funds and CDBG funds. As any large
scale building development on the three major commercial reuse
parcels occurs, there will be a need for deck parking to replace
the ground level spaces lost to development and to provide for
n
the incremental increase for parking generated—by such develop-
ment.
C. Improvements to Public Facilities
The City will continue its public facility improvement
program for the downtown as funding and other opportunities
permit. The City has already committed monies to the improve-
ment of several streets in the 1982 construction season in
eluding Middle Street, Cross Street and Franklin Street. Me
City's public improvement program in the downtown covers a
range of needs which not onlyprovide and improve necessary
services through such elements as improved traffic circula-
tion, but also provide more appropriate and more aesthetic
facilities in parking areas, existing parks, and along the
street rights-of-way themselves. The proposed public facility
improvement program encompasses range of types of projects
to meet various objectives of the downtown revitalization
program
1. Street improvement and streetscaping projects.
Urban Renewal and Community. Development monies
have already been committed to several extensive down-
town streetscaping projects which include the practical
needs for new pavement, new sidewalks, new lighting,
and integration of these with the service infrastruc-
ture through curbing, storm drains, etc. However,
these projects also include aesthetic considerations,
landscaping and pedestrian amenities. The Columbia
Street project is a recently completed prototype for
other streetscaping activities in the downtown.
Main Street, Central Street, and Hammond Street
are all slated for streetscape treatment in the near
future. Other areas will be programmed as need and
funding are determined.
2. Traffic Circulation
Along with the replacement of pavement noted in
the streetscape projects, is a continuous program for
the improved circulation of traffic in the downtown.
The responsibility for this program is largely a
shared one with the Maine Department of Transportation
as this agency has responsibility for the federal and
state designated highways which go through the City's
center. Also, the Maine DOT will continue to be
involved with highway and other transportation funding
which comes from the federal sources under the new
Metropolitan Planning Organization which will have
transportation planning responsibility for the urbanized
area of the newly established SMSA. The MPO, however,
will have a large responsibility in allocating federal
monies to street and highway projects in the Bangor
SMSA.
With the completion of the I-395 Third Bridge
project, much of the thru-traffic congestion, caused
by river crossing traffic moving through the downtown
will be relieved.. The City will encourage
replacement of the old Penobscot Bridge to further
improve cross river traffic flow in the Bangor -Brewer
area in the late 1980'x.
The continued improvement of lighting and key
intersections in the downtown to alleviate minor bottle-
necks in traffic flow, as well as improved signage in
the downtown area, will facilitate more easy movement
through the downtown. At the same time streetscape
elements which provide islands at key pedestrian cross-
ways
-
ways will facilitate pedestrian movement in the down-
town core.
3. Parking
In recent years the City has developed a con-
siderable amount of surface level parking in the down-
town on permanent parking, lot locations and through the.
landscaping of temporary parking lot.areas on unused
urban renewal development parcels. It is qui ce clear
that when this surface parking on the development parcels
is displaced by new development, it will necessitate
provision of additional parkingto replace those dis-
placed spaces as well as to provide for the incremental
increase in parking demand caused by the development
itself. Any extensive development project on one
of the major urban renewal parcels will probably
necessitate the initiation of high cost, deck parking
in the downtown.
The funding of parking garage facilities will
have to Come from a variety of sources. In the case
of an extensive development project it is possible
that Urban Development Action Grant funding might be
available to pay for some orall of the necessary
parking garage construction cost. If such a program
s
not possible, then other financing techniques such
as revenue bonds will be explored. The City is
committed under its Urban Renewal Plan to see to it
that such parking is provided in conjunction with
the development of these urban renewal parcels.
The City is continuously monitoring the pricing
and duration policies for parking in the downtown and
will continue to revise these policies to meet changing
parking needs.
4. Waterfront Improvements
Recent studies of the downtown -a a (by American
City Corporation) and the Penobscot River Waterfront
(Anderson Nichols Study) have pointed out the importance
of and the potential of the waterfront in the future
reuse and redevelopment of the core area of the City.
The City is presently intolved in developing a major
public landing and docking facility on the Penobscot
River on Front Street, which has excellent access into
the downtown. There area number of proposals to.
improve, through landscaping and provisionof pedestrian
access, other sites along the river and stream frontage
to enhance the accessibility of the river and stream
as well as to contribute to the overall attractiveness
and desirability of the downtown. It is the intent of
the City to pursue a number of potential improvements
which can be made to various facilities and sites along
the river and stream£ront in the near future and longer
term as well as additional landscaping and pedes-
trian amenities along the Kenduskeag Parking Plaza.
City Council adoption of the Downtown Revitalization Program con-
tained in this document provides an opportunity for the restatement of
the support oftheCity for the downtown revitalization program in general
and provides an overall policy framework upon which specific plans, pro-
grams and other necessary City actions in the future can be based.
_, a D@4DFAA1111P1
October 3. 1982
TO: Bangor City Council
FROM: Thomas A. Russell, Asst. City. Solicitor
RE: Council order 82-239 (Downtown Revitalization Program)
Proposed Amendments'
Please find attached hereto a copy of a new page 2 for the City of Barger
Community Development Downtown Revitalization Program. It is my recommendation
that the Program be amended by substituting the attachment for page number 2 of
the original doc:ment. The new page contains two changes from the original
version, which changes have been underlined on your copies. _
It is my recommendation that Part T.I (5) be amended to include a specific
reference to the adoption of an ordinance establishing meadatory minimum
rehabilitation and/or maintenance standards for properties located within the
downtown area. The Purpose of this additional language is to make it clear that
the Council contemplated such action to aid in the implementation of its downtown
revitalization policy. It should be noted that the adoption of this additional
language would not obligate the Council to adopt such an ordinance, but
would provide an additional legal foundation for the adoption of the same
Pursuant to 30 M.B.s A. § 4853.
The additional language proposed for Pert II (10) would broaden the typed of
mechanisms cmtemplated in the flmdi� of revitalisation activities beyond federal
and/or state fends to include municipal financing meciammams. For sample, the
issuance of revenue obligation securities might be utilized for revitalization
activities, just as it has been utilized for other development activities within
the City (most recently, the proposed development oT a laboratory facility by
Affiliated Laboratories, Inc, on Sylvan Road).
Both Sohn Load and I will be at the Council meeting to answer any questions
you might have an the Program.
�J
TSH
T.A.A.
TAR/ap
Attach: AS
III. BACKGROUND
The concept of downtown revitaliketion was initiated in 1964
by adaption of the Kenduskeag Stream Urban Renewal Project by the
City of Bangor and the Bangor Urban Renewal Authority. The Project
s designed to eliminate deteriorated properties, incomparable
was
of retail and wholesale uses, and to provide space for
_
newcommercialdevelopment and expansion. The project encompassed
51 acres of land in the downtown area of which approximately 14
acres were acquired and cleared. of these 14 acres, approximately
6.5 acres remain to be redeveloped.
Extensive improvements to public facilities were undertaken
and completed involving Broad Street, Merchants Plaza, Columbia
Street parking deck, French Street, Exchange Street, the Exchange
Street parking lots, Hammond Street, State Street, Hancock Street,
Independent Street, Washington Street, Main Street, West Market
Square, Central Street, Park Street, Short Street, Franklin Street,
Harlow Street, Union Street, Oak Street, Water Street, York Street,
park and open space areas at the intersection of West Market Square
and Main Street and along Merchants Plaza, the pedestrian walkway
over the Kenduskeag Scream, improvements to the Haymarket and
Pickering Square areas, and the Kenduskeag Parking Plaza (see Table
I). Recent improvements have been the completion of the reconstruc-
tion of Columbia Street and the Columbia Street parking lot. Scheduled
to be undertaken and completed in 1982 are the reconstruction of the
2
- 5.
Adoption of such ordinances and formal programs as is
necessary to fulfill revitalization needs, including but
not limited to the adoption of an ordinance establishing
for xeha il'
luascion
standards forpropertie2 located within
6.
Involvement of individuals and groups concerned with
the downtown in the on-going revitalization process.
].
Support of private sector investment and actions in the
downtown through information and assistance in securing
and providing such technical and financial assistance as
may be available through public and private sources.
8..
Encouragement of private sector investment in the down-
town through promotional efforts, staff assistance, the
creation of organizational entities, special districts,
or such other financing vehicles as may be appropriate.
9.
The development of such official policies as may be
necessary to deal with the myriad of conditions, programs,
and services in the downtown.
10.
The active pursuit of federal ander state financial
assistance and amici ac ion i v arious municipal financing
m a
curicies-vursuant to 10 M.R,S.A 551061 et seyto�
-
fund and c rry out public ano/or vare down tow improve-
ments, development, ander redevelopment projects.
III. BACKGROUND
The concept of downtown revitaliketion was initiated in 1964
by adaption of the Kenduskeag Stream Urban Renewal Project by the
City of Bangor and the Bangor Urban Renewal Authority. The Project
s designed to eliminate deteriorated properties, incomparable
was
of retail and wholesale uses, and to provide space for
_
newcommercialdevelopment and expansion. The project encompassed
51 acres of land in the downtown area of which approximately 14
acres were acquired and cleared. of these 14 acres, approximately
6.5 acres remain to be redeveloped.
Extensive improvements to public facilities were undertaken
and completed involving Broad Street, Merchants Plaza, Columbia
Street parking deck, French Street, Exchange Street, the Exchange
Street parking lots, Hammond Street, State Street, Hancock Street,
Independent Street, Washington Street, Main Street, West Market
Square, Central Street, Park Street, Short Street, Franklin Street,
Harlow Street, Union Street, Oak Street, Water Street, York Street,
park and open space areas at the intersection of West Market Square
and Main Street and along Merchants Plaza, the pedestrian walkway
over the Kenduskeag Scream, improvements to the Haymarket and
Pickering Square areas, and the Kenduskeag Parking Plaza (see Table
I). Recent improvements have been the completion of the reconstruc-
tion of Columbia Street and the Columbia Street parking lot. Scheduled
to be undertaken and completed in 1982 are the reconstruction of the