The Bangor Mall sign was not repaired this week, despite a representative of the mall’s owner recently stating in court that it would be fixed.
The sign, at the intersection of Hogan Road and Bangor Mall Boulevard, is still missing the letters “B,” “A” and “N,” as of Friday, meaning one side of the sign simply says “GOR MALL.” The digital display on the sign has not functioned in years.
The failure to fix the sign is one of multiple code violations the city of Bangor is demanding mall owner Namdar Realty Group fixes. There are two ongoing lawsuits against Namdar regarding its failure to fix a broken sewer pipe, a leaking roof, large potholes and the dilapidated sign.
Daniel Giannini, a Namdar representative, testified during a two-day preliminary injunction hearing that the company hired a contractor and paid them upfront.
“It’s scheduled for next week,” Giannini said Friday, Jan. 10.
No changes have been made to the sign a week after Giannini’s testimony.
Namdar did not immediately respond to multiple questions, including the name of the contractor hired and if there was an updated plan to fix the sign.
Bangor City Councilor Rick Fournier said he was not surprised the repairs have not happened.
“They don’t care about that property,” Fournier said. “The only thing they care about is the cash that’s coming in on it. Aside from that, they don’t care about anything. Not in this community anyway.”
The Bangor City Council made zoning changes in 2022 to allow housing, hotels, indoor recreational businesses, light industrial development and reduced parking requirements at the location. Those tactics have been used across the country to help redevelop aging malls, the city of Bangor said in a statement provided by City Council Chairwoman Cara Pelletier.
Bangor declined to comment on any promises made in court because of the ongoing lawsuits, spokesperson David Warren said. Written arguments are expected to be filed in the coming weeks.
As much as Fournier said he wants to force the mall to make changes, it’s out of his control.
“I wish they could respect the community,” Fournier said. “They have a responsibility and they don’t do it and be true to what their word is. Truth, responsibility and respect. That’s what I want.”
At the end of the day, the repairs need to be made, Fournier said.
“Get it done,” he said. “Jeez.”
