The Bangor Cultural Commission voted to support a community-led proposal to install historical signage and photographic panels about Pickering Square and George Washington Pickering at the city'owned transit center.

The commission's decision followed presentations by Joe Pickering and Jay Martin, who proposed placing large historical images and explanatory text on the transit-center walls to reach a high volume of pedestrians and transit riders. The motion to support the concept was made and approved by voice; a formal mover and seconder were not recorded in the transcript.

Supporters said the transit center's two wide walls are a highly visible location that would complement the square's planned architectural features and could be monitored for vandalism. Jay Martin described the images and archival photos included in the packet as 'impressive' and said placing them at the transit center would 'dress up the transit center' and let people waiting for buses read the history. Joe Pickering provided local historical context about the square's namesake, George Washington Pickering, and the Adams Pickering Block.

Commission members and the presenters discussed sources for archival photos and text. Speakers said they have consulted the Bangor Daily News article referenced in the project packet, local historians at the library, and the historical society for imagery and biographical details. Commissioners asked staff and the presenters to coordinate with the city on permissions, design, durability and installation logistics, and to consider a QR code or a small website to host extended material.

Commissioners also discussed placement specifics raised by the presenters: the transit center has two 8-foot-wide wall surfaces on either side of the entrance; one wall is partially restricted by a camera at about 5 feet in height, while the other wall was described as unrestricted. The presenters suggested using metal-faced panels with photographs and legible text sized so people on buses could read them.

The commission recorded no budget allocation at the meeting; presenters and commissioners discussed potential sources and potential partnerships (library, historical society, private donors) but did not commit city funds. Commissioners asked city staff to handle permissions for use of the transit-center walls and to confirm whether the city would manage installation and maintenance.

The commission voted by voice to support the concept and asked the presenters to provide further design proposals and source citations. The presenters said they would continue to work with staff and local historians and return with more detailed designs and a recommended installation plan.

The commission did not set a date for formal installation during this meeting; presenters suggested coordinating with the city's ongoing Pickering Square construction timeline so the signage can 'strike while the iron is hot.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to support the Pickering Square informational signage/transit-center display (text: 'Support the project proposal to install historical signage/images at the transit center'). Mover: not specified; Second: not specified; Outcome: approved by voice; tally not specified.

Speakers quoted in this article are attendees who presented or were identified in the transcript.