[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6511493,"mediaKeyId","5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2","parentId",5325619,"title","Committee authorizes staff to pursue NEA grant for public outreach","audioSeconds",47,"startMs",3610310,"endMs",3658245,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2&start=3610&end=3658","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2/thumbnail_3610310.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6511493/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Committee-authorizes-staff-to-pursue-NEA-grant-for-public-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511493-afb225a485ea9d720ea413e161896a30/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158052&Signature=Btb~f0QAkquqwmpJPA4VYEcogJM2ozsEgcYGiHCer3mUt0GeR3PHmvuhPUh1rRN4x~QGpSNKewvPunBHsothOlk0ueYtfepecc7-wrru-N0auzXhcE6apIrPZGLNvCHJ1a-UytQEb~CvvmpHbMz6Mu2G7lx3LqHO78JuUcIHKm4jhXBvqpqWXrKaZfq9AZKSw9ZEM~NSLzgwLmHYJmsDbNYQVkLGa-9nH-xBEnbzG5r9tQyCkec5HHfMX-RtAII1VN9bn9-U-bpmrPjSI5m03a2MBlzYkhOXFxgMsFcOcbCAACgfRlXAfjMl7om~pUTXCnXe5ro32ZgI-tV4oPEzWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bangor Maine","date","2025-07-07T21:40:33Z","article","Committee members voted to permit staff to pursue a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant opportunity that was announced after the meeting packet was distributed. The grant would fund public outreach for a cultural mission project; staff said the application allows in‑kind match and would not require a cash match from the city.

A staff member told the committee the cultural mission only recently learned of the NEA opportunity and that the application is due July 17. \"It does allow for in kind match, so, they wouldn't be looking for, you know, city funds to do a match,\" the staff member said. The committee moved, seconded and, seeing no objections, approved the request to pursue the NEA grant.

The committee's approval is permission to prepare and submit an application; any award or required future city actions would be brought back for council consideration if necessary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Business & Economic Development Committee 7.7.25","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved a motion to allow cultural mission staff to apply for a National Endowment for the Arts grant (deadline July 17); members were told the application can use in‑kind match rather than city cash.","taxTitle","Bangor City, Penobscot County, Maine","taxId",2586,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511498,"Airport director reports passenger gains and infrastructure pipeline; runway mostly complete",222,1865115,2087795,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2&start=1865&end=2087","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2/thumbnail_1865115.jpg","/articles/6511498/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Airport-director-reports-passenger-gains-and-infrastructure-pipeline-runway-mostly-complete","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511498-18e4f43a0582a46c88964630d631d68c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158052&Signature=Wf9Q11yPFmcK3RemHzl1OASmln~KomAhd3Fh-nZeQjBzR6iHio8mPK6bpRCzSEMUGzOGQUGZS9FKrk4dBIwgk0DeL1Oq1HDKVTgCOhG0LFLAIoGxASxsFh8s0dI4FmMlYjCwKxn45NBXuUDvjARsLZsQWRFf-MHMzsZN0tau~3aoj8yoHJW0doeYnjcVScA~NYe8xxSOBGuAdEUma1zfKeZF8BXQ0k-caQQnoxGV9F8eCJFQoxdQWUmrdEFfoAdP82Acrng539MG9pWcKuSf5aPHgo8cyBQonOKfNXVQ4IcGhE9RuIMY70S8BHVs8zBzWZnXms4V4HvS0n~WLIjgRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Airport Director Jose Saavedra reported to the Business & Economic Development Committee that passenger traffic is up compared with the prior year and that a set of major airfield and terminal projects are moving through construction and planning.

Saavedra said March passenger numbers were about 20% higher than the prior year and April was about 33% higher. He said the runway rehabilitation is about 75% complete after several scheduled closures; one 16‑hour closure remains later this summer. \"I estimate the project to be completed at 75% or so,\" Saavedra said, adding that the contractor for the connector project is mobilized and that work there is underway.

Key near‑term items Saavedra described:
- Passenger boarding bridge (Gate 11): lead times for replacement equipment are long (current lead time cited as about a year); the project is PFC-funded and staff are monitoring opportunities to shorten lead time if another airport’s project becomes available.
- Taxiway Alpha: staff plan to accept an FAA grant request to complete 30% design work that will determine whether a mill/overlay or full replacement is required.
- Checkpoint expansion: preliminary engineering selected; work will bring current security lines into TSA compliance and add a third screening line with space preserved for a fourth; the project will be funded with Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs).
- Fuel farm relocation: the current fueling facility is about 75 years old and outside the airport fence; the master plan identified three relocation options and staff are recruiting specialized engineers for design work.
- Consolidated car rental facility: staff discussed pursuing a customer facility charge (CFC) added to rental reservations to finance a consolidated rental facility and cited Portland’s experience as a reference.

Saavedra said the airport is preparing a business/strategic plan and recommended continued frequent reporting to the council or a revived airport committee because of the large project pipeline. Committee members supported the idea of closer oversight given the number and scale of projects.","The airport director told the committee March and April passenger numbers increased (20% and 33%), reported runway construction at roughly 75% completion with one 16‑hour closure remaining, and outlined upcoming projects including taxiway rehabilitation grant work, checkpoint expansion (TSA compliance) and fuel farm relocation planning.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511503,"Midyear economic development report: central kitchen, foreign trade zone and business support move forward",435,669790,1105405,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2&start=669&end=1105","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2/thumbnail_669790.jpg","/articles/6511503/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Midyear-economic-development-report-central-kitchen-foreign-trade-zone-and-business-support-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511503-0e6fa36aa7fe04f48ca53f209dd87793/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158052&Signature=D2VwULFS1hdJackUNTf9rj3xAqybBw9WP19EfQvyH58XnaAi4rz4N6h6n0ad92gc3kxsKr5VHm~dCUVFyOdTnoxMKI9nJh~07b5JZYfUMF40qB2-humWq7oBgRjqkdwxX7HWEkRpA2jreYdLDLg7KQWLMEnC1X6n8-GH-yt23GaG4UyOHnnQcV80BZdgtMO9W66g~-TGCEVpAo3MeirOYjxbsxKPzyNOjFJyVMlKwsHpVMCfbBy4jVLhcMpYTZOLw~-Uxf78HFrcEH80dEhyk6AaUc126XQnR-umPZQmWTV3zZnN0PQ~oUqt0wYLhffzZYW3N8iVw-dFwGXk31zCnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business & Economic Development Director Anne Creed introduced a midyear report from the city’s economic development staff highlighting entrepreneurship outreach, property leasing, business attraction efforts, and several large projects moving into implementation.

Economic Development Officer (Begada) said the department's work in 2025 emphasizes efficiency, innovation and partnerships: \"The theme of this is gonna be under the the guise of efficiency, efficiency, efficiency,\" Begada said. Staff reported ongoing one‑on‑one business meetings, active lease negotiations for city‑owned properties, use of the revised credit enhancement application process, and participation on external boards including the chamber.

Key projects reported:
- Central Kitchen: Staff said NBRC and HUD grants plus a recently approved bond are funding the central commercial kitchen. A pre‑application meeting occurred last week and staff plan to release an RFP as early as the end of the summer, with staff aiming to finish construction \"by end of February\" (timeline not tied to a specific year in the committee transcript). City staff emphasized outreach and partnership with Eastern Maine Community College for internships and shadowing.
- Foreign Trade Zone: The city launched a promotional campaign for the trade zone that covers five counties; staff and Main International Trade Center director Wade Merritt hosted an informational call with about 25 businesses and held radio outreach. Staff said Customs and Border Protection counterparts in Newark and local CBP participated in a conference call to facilitate future applications.
- Innovation Center and airport collaboration: Economic development staff finalized a contract with Epstein Commercial for marketing and are coordinating monthly meetings with the airport team to align objectives. Upgrades to the innovation center are planned to support existing tenants.
- Downtown parking: The city launched a ParkMobile app for digital payments and is running a July parking amnesty for violations older than 30 days. Staff described the new windshield enforcement device (\"the barnacle\") and said instructions will be provided to motorists who receive it.

Committee members encouraged more public promotion for the Central Kitchen and suggested using the commercial kitchen to educate entrepreneurs about the foreign trade zone and other business services. Staff said they will continue outreach across Penobscot and surrounding counties.","City economic development staff reported midyear progress on business outreach, leases, credit enhancement use, the Central Kitchen project, a foreign trade zone promotion, partnerships with colleges, innovation center upgrades, and downtown parking changes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511506,"City staff to publish technical review for land development code update; public meetings set for Aug. 25–26",115,341330,457265,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2&start=341&end=457","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2/thumbnail_341330.jpg","/articles/6511506/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/City-staff-to-publish-technical-review-for-land-development-code-update-public-meetings-set-for-Aug-2526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511506-1e31cdd2b722004603f757b088af3294/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158052&Signature=Vm5Y-oKQGh9ZFvp~YNEjE8cEsbjTzwtHysy0biU8X1w34JqERu7JmjJ6OaqNKSDP0KIkHmTo4w3zI4JU-CyuQsHhlTDEtF2JIkAjlXMt12gx3Z7MP4WInzABGRQg0UNpu691qgsJ~yLiBOfUOCZmDkwpFindZCcUzwY2-fMP4tBGzrkxZ8PVr8aNvLOqOjHGkGhNu~Ks7EpYJhKkyUY7wWcqX8rSnvtF2FwGcxVAe7kmEta3EvqxZPhc5rpQyvlAnKSq-tBrmvdsYZp13V1m8z8z3qcCqTJO5UAvMCtnCS6rSUxZRVk1ZAB-685hQ66peN-L5HT6EbdOc0TgHn7kxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff told the Business & Economic Development Committee that consultants have completed a technical report on the city’s land development code and that the report will be posted to blueprintbangor.com starting tomorrow for public review.

Planning officer Manu Colette said the effort aims to align the land development code with the adopted comprehensive plan, reduce ambiguity for property owners and the planning board, and accelerate decision-making. \"We really are, trying to move the project forward as quickly as we can,\" Colette said.

Staff outlined the next steps: a joint presentation to the committee and the planning board on Aug. 25 at a council workshop (5:15 p.m.), two public meetings on Aug. 26 (one lunchtime session at the new City Hall with a simultaneous Zoom option and an evening session at the Bangor Public Library), stakeholder outreach, drafting of a new land development code later this year, and multiple iterations with an expected target of a final code in late 2026. Colette noted the project is spread across two fiscal years.

Committee members asked whether the timing could put projects at risk if the code is not updated; Colette said planning board decisions already reference the recently approved comprehensive plan and that the rewrite’s timeline will take longer but should not, in itself, jeopardize current applications.

Planning staff committed to providing multiple ways for the public to submit feedback, posting recordings of public meetings, and sharing the report directly with council members and the planning board.","Planning staff will post a consultant technical report on the BlueprintBangor site and hold a joint planning board/council workshop on Aug. 25 and two public sessions on Aug. 26 as part of a multi‑year effort to align the land development code with the comprehensive plan.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511511,"Committee OKs forwarding easement agreement for 50-unit senior housing to full council",238,95865,334610,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2&start=95&end=334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5325619-4be572add6c662c1b749219ec301fee2/thumbnail_95865.jpg","/articles/6511511/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Committee-OKs-forwarding-easement-agreement-for-50-unit-senior-housing-to-full-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511511-f62be5abda3810be387d759682313baf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775158052&Signature=nok54VA0WkIsWUcLkxldVMUF63P6-AMFccyryxHqctZM4GDTiwVt-5u-ZWPiQZzg3np0efmy5yyXY9vQxAnwRhXh4yjoa5lc3wsDXNMda56qgBoep14hzpEYx763ps0xXgSTAeZJdduMtC8MID268H-Tk1QOihIZYxAygvrNB7stoWS~3qJpMlUaTt2APPG4Ooxls6~cegVlsUR0RM3vHyBpFLZGwQxzroPrCaYHXhiyQhe~cyN1a-B~xTQAXZdKZ8C0LwR-bIZ6Dz5Q5opwxocggvUFU17c4mCEki~iS~ktkGCV1FtXPRjybmbery3B3DAxgPW5Lv6Mbnx5kg62RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Business & Economic Development Committee voted to forward to City Council staff’s recommendation to authorize a city easement agreement so a 50‑unit affordable senior housing project at 140 Sunset Avenue can close financing.

City Solicitor David (city solicitor) told the committee that Bangor Housing Development Corporation (BHDC) is scheduled to close this month and that lenders and the title insurer want a written easement agreement to protect improvements that will be built over an existing city stormwater easement that runs across 140 and 154 Sunset Avenue. He said the easement was originally granted to the city in the early 1980s and that engineering and legal staff had reviewed a draft form of agreement attached to his memo.

Joe Bethany, counsel to BHDC and general counsel at the Bangor Housing Authority, said the requirement is coming from the project’s title insurance company, not the developer. \"It's actually our title insurance company that's requiring that we enter into this easement agreement,\" he said, and added he looked forward to continuing final-form discussions with the city solicitor.

Anne Creed, Business & Economic Development Director, and the city solicitor recommended authorizing the city manager to execute an easement agreement with BHDC Sunset Avenue 1 LP (the owner/developer at 140 Sunset) and the Bangor Housing Authority (owner at 154 Sunset), with final form approved by the city solicitor’s office. Committee members moved and seconded the recommendation; the chair said the item will proceed to City Council for the required council order because the proposed agreement is an interest in land.

The transcript records that the city previously awarded ARPA funds to BHDC for the project, that a site plan and subdivision approval were obtained and that BHDC recently received a building permit. No final council vote on the easement was recorded in the committee meeting minutes; the committee’s action was to forward the matter to City Council for authorization.

The committee discussion was procedural; committee members and staff focused on satisfying lender and insurer conditions while preserving the city’s maintenance rights in the stormwater easement.","The Business & Economic Development Committee approved forwarding a draft easement agreement to City Council so Bangor Housing Development Corporation and the Bangor Housing Authority can satisfy lenders and title insurers for a 50-unit senior housing project at 140 and 154 Sunset Avenue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee authorizes staff to pursue NEA grant for public outreach

Airport director reports passenger gains and infrastructure pipeline; runway mostly complete

Midyear economic development report: central kitchen, foreign trade zone and business support move forward

City staff to publish technical review for land development code update; public meetings set for Aug. 25–26

Committee OKs forwarding easement agreement for 50-unit senior housing to full council