BANGOR — The Bangor Mall’s dilapidated sign has been torn down, and the mall’s owners are preparing to sell the property.
A representative for the owners, Namdar Realty Group, told Spectrum News Thursday that “Namdar confirmed that they are in discussions about selling the property,” but nothing has been finalized.
The change comes during an ongoing legal battle between the mall’s owners and the city over various code violations, including violations regarding the sign.
“The sign was removed on October 13,” Namdar’s representative said in a statement. “It was part of the first lawsuit filed by the City of Bangor, which cited that the sign did not meet the municipality's guidelines and needed repair.”
State Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, a proponent of revitalizing the mall, said the removal is an important step, but that the mall needs more significant changes.
“What I am trying to accomplish is to turn this in a positive direction,” said Baldacci. “Right now, it’s been mired in litigation, decline, deterioration over pretty much the last seven or eight years at least. We need to open a new chapter.”
Earlier this year, Baldacci had proposed a bill that would have allowed the state to take control of the mall.
The bill did not pass as it was originally written, but an amended version passed in June allows the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority to work with the city on developing a revitalization plan for the mall.
And just last month, Baldacci and local leaders met with potential developers to talk about the mall’s future.
“We need to get new developers in there who can inject some financial capital, as well as some new ideas, and resuscitate that area,” said Baldacci.
Whatever happens, Baldacci added that change won’t come overnight.
“It’s going to take a while, but I’m encouraged that these negotiations are going on,” said Baldacci. “And I’m hoping that they will bear fruit. Which would be a new owner, new energy, new investment.”
A judge ruled in April that the owners had violated multiple city ordinances, but the case is still awaiting a ruling on penalties.
City spokesperson David Warren said Wednesday that it’s not yet clear when the judge’s ruling might happen.
