BANGOR 1990: DUSK OR DAWN? AN OVERVIEW

For the past 25 years, Bangor has worked its way along a path strewn with obstacles — deteriorating neighborhoods, the closure of Dow Air Force Base, a shifting economy and a downtown plagued first with conflicting uses and then with empty lots and vacant buildings.

At the same time, the city benefited from a bundle of federal funds which helped pay for housing rehabilitation, airport development and downtown improvements. A new bridge was built across the Penobscot River. A small hospital was transformed into a regional medical center. A cow pasture became a mall that attracts shoppers from Maine and Canada.

Bangor currently stands ready to set a new course for itself. A comprehensive plan to guide the city for the next 20 years is being publicly debated.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the city as it prepares to head into the 21st century? Is it a stronger city because of its efforts to revitalize and grow? Or has it been permanently scarred by overzealous demolition in the downtown and uncontrolled development near the mall? There has been a lot of construction in recent years, but has there been economic growth?

During the last four months, six reporters have interviewed 60 people and sifted through mountains of documents to measure the city’s fitness. This is their report.