Penobscot County Maine Looking For Ideas For Old ‘YMCA’ Lot In Bangor

Officials in Penobscot County are hoping someone will come forward soon with an idea for what to do with the land where the former YMCA in Bangor once stood.

When the organization moved its operation from the Hammond Street building to the 2nd St. facility in 2008, the old space changed hands and purposes for just about a decade.

In 2017, the building was condemned and Penobscot County stepped in and purchased the parcel. They footed the bill to have the old condemned building leveled and to even out that plot of land.

Demolition of the old Y building, which sat on the corner facing both the restaurants on Hammond Street and the old courthouse along Court St., started in March of 2024 and took just about 6 months to complete. Crews originally ran into some issues when they started to tear the building down, according to Penobscot County Administrator Scott Adkins. He said the total bill for the building removal came close to $1 million dollars,  between the asbestos remediation and the razing of the building.

"The asbestos caused issues prior to the demo and during the demo as there were no plans/drawings to indicate where this stuff might be.  As you can imagine, they built things much differently back then compared to today’s standards and codes.  Asbestos was everywhere; buried in walls, ceilings, and floors which really escalated the tearing down pieces once discovered.  The last issue was in the basement walls and floors.  It certainly escalated the cost of the complete project."

With the structure now completely gone, Adkins says the space is a blank slate.

"We finally had nice enough weather to get some signs up to advertise the plot for development ideas. "

"The hope is that any development is a project which could improve the outskirts of downtown Bangor.  The vision is for something that may provide much-needed assistance with local housing and workforce issues.  Perhaps, some clinical services on the ground floor with housing located in the floors above?? ...Any ideas would have to be within the city code."

"Right now, the Commissioners are accepting ideas and would welcome submissions.  While the current deadline date on the sign is for April 30^th, 2025; if the right project doesn’t come along prior then I would envision an alternative date. A straight sale of the property might be an option the Commission would consider as well. "

What do you think? Any ideas of what would work best for Bangor in that old lot?