Plain and simple: the Bangor region needs a new auditorium and civic center – and we need a way to pay for it.

The city of Bangor, working with Rep. Joe Perry of the Taxation Committee, our state legislative delegation, and others in our region, has worked diligently for a local option proposal, which, over a five-year period, would provide most if not all of the $30 million we need for a new complex. We have favored this approach because it avoids borrowing and saves over $15 million in interest costs; spreads the cost over a broader range of those who will benefit from the facility; would not increase property taxes, the most unpopular of all of Maine’s major taxes; and would give local voters the opportunity to vote on both the project and the tax. We continue to support the local option as the fairest and simplest way to replace our current aging and inadequate facilities.

During the current session, a number of legislators who support a new facility for Bangor have suggested alternative ways for it to be financed. Rep. Brian Duprey, District 114 in Hampden, has proposed a state bond issue of $15 million to be matched with locally raised funds. We appreciate this proposal and Representative Duprey’s effort. Other suggestions have also been advanced.

Throughout the debate over how to finance a facility, we must not lose sight of our primary goal – to replace our current facilities in order to maintain and expand upon their economic impact throughout the region. This impact is currently estimated at $30 million per year and represents an important economic development issue for Eastern, Northern, and Central Maine, leaving aside the quality of life effect of events held at the Bangor Auditorium/Civic Center. Unfortunately, the cost of this project is far greater than what Bangor taxpayers can undertake on our own.

While we have received support for the local option proposal from the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, the Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, a number of other regional communities, and many individuals and businesses, we also recognize that not everyone supports it. Many who don’t, however, clearly see and embrace the need for a new complex.

Our challenge as a region is to achieve a funding mechanism, which can reach our goal of a new complex, and which does so in a way that recognizes that Bangor’s residents and property owners cannot foot the entire bill. We believe that the local option proposal will do this. If the Legislature will not provide us with this mechanism, we pledge our willingness to work toward other alternatives with those who share our vision.

No option to fund this project, in total or in part, should be cavalierly dismissed. The Bangor City Council will continue to explore all funding options to lessen the direct impact of facility replacement on the Bangor taxpayer. And we continue to explore other funding possibilities.

Our resolve is clear – we need to replace the aging facility (Bangor Auditorium/Civic Center) with new construction, identify funding sources (any and all funding possibilities will be considered) and/or the best mix of funding to minimize the impact on our citizens. We need the collaborative commitment from people in our region, state delegation, regional delegation and congressional delegation to help build a new exposition facility for our region.

Michael R. Crowley is the mayor of Bangor.