Developer and landlord urges Bangor to stop paying for architects' home plans

Emily Ellis, a Bangor resident, realtor, landlord and developer, used public comment at the March 17 City Council meeting to criticize city spending on architectural house plans and previous housing studies.

Ellis said the city spent $182,400 on six building plans from an architectural firm in Scarborough and questioned why the city would buy plans when builders already produce plans through the code department as part of permitting. "Why would we ever do that?" she asked. Ellis said local builders, citing her own crew, completed 81% of new construction sold in Bangor last year and that many builders choose not to use architects because of cost and practicality on particular sites.

She urged the council to "stay in your lane" and rely on local business leaders and experienced developers for housing solutions rather than commissioning consultants and paying for plans and reports. Ellis cited a prior city expenditure of about $75,000 on a housing report and said the city had spent $30,000 on "a 655 square foot home plan," which she criticized as costly and unnecessary.

Ellis named a series of local developers and investors she said have successfully contributed to Bangor — including Tricia Port, Louie Morrison, Luke McCann, Courtney and Nick Mullens, Duane Williams and Zach Gilpin — and said the city should incentivize and collaborate with local private-sector developers who have a track record of producing housing.

Her remarks were recorded during the public comment period; the council did not take formal action in response, though one councilor noted the issue had been discussed at a committee meeting two weeks earlier.