Open discussion on best use of land in Bangor

As the Bangor City Council considers rezoning the 50-acre Averill property near the Penjajawoc Marsh from Rural/Agriculture land to Commercial, which will allow the development of another large-scale retail shopping mall in the vicinity of the Penjajawoc Marsh, I hope they will not rush. Bangor residents and taxpayers deserve an open discussion on what is best for Bangor and our region before the council makes this decision.

Are big boxes, in this unique location, the best economic tool for our region? How can development and conservation occur so that we reap the economic benefits of both?

Commercial development on this land is one alternative, but is not the exclusive, nor perhaps the best, alternative for Bangor. Ames and HQ were huge national chains. They are gone. A Wal-Mart Supercenter may seem like an easy economic solution to Bangor’s revenue needs, but how do we balance this development with a resource that could be equally, if not more lucrative, for Bangor in years to come?

Tourism is an integral part of Maine’s economy; niche tourism and specialty products are among the fastest-growing segments. These include ecotourism, cultural tourism, cruises and educationally and historically based packages. Communities that take advantage of these opportunities find them remarkably lucrative.

The Bangor City Council has shown progressive leadership and foresight by supporting the National Folk Festival and by courting American Cruise Lines to make Bangor a port of call. Both bring, and will continue to bring, economic rewards into the foreseeable post-9-11 future. Bangor needs to continue to foster this kind of development if it is ever going to be a “destination” and not just a “gateway” (Bangor’s own Chamber of Commerce sees Bangor as a gateway.)

Travelers want to do something besides go to the same retail stores they have at home. They want something special. Places that offer something unique, something that visitors cannot see or experience anywhere else, tend to be the most sought after. By linking cruise passengers with day trips – fly-fishing, moose watching, birding, white-water rafting, antique shopping – both Bangor and the entire Highlands Region benefit. Money flows to our businesses.

Quietly and without an advertising campaign the Penjajawoc Marsh, with its 185 species of birds, nine of them threatened or endangered, has already brought national and international visitors to Bangor. If this unique resource were bundled with air travel and hotels and sold to groups of 10 to 20 people, it could be marketed in national catalogs.

Ecotourism is among the fastest- growing segments of the tourist market. Packaged tours might include learning about Maine’s logging and timber and/or agricultural heritage, festival days in neighboring towns, or even bundled with our own folk festival. The possibilities are endless

There are landowners adjacent to the marsh who wish to conserve their lands; they have already been talking with the Bangor Land Trust. With proper planning, money could be raised to purchase land from other willing landowners near the Penjajawoc Marsh to promote this asset.

Commercial development in some areas, along with funds from foundations, government agencies and private donors, could help fund conservation of more ecologically sensitive areas. This is a win-win opportunity.

The Governor’s Office, in its May Blaine House Conference, and the city of Bangor are focusing their economic development efforts on the “creative economy” and “value added.” “The ‘creatives’ are attracted to a place not because of its tax rate, but because of quality of life…” according to Richard Florida, author of “The Rise of the Creative Class” and professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He notes that a region’s economic prosperity often depends on attractive outdoor recreation and lively downtowns, among other factors.

A sad local counter example: In September 1999, 25 families joined the Newcomers Club sponsored by the YWCA of Bangor-Brewer. These young professional families had made a conscious decision to make Bangor their home; they were looking for a better quality of life for themselves and their children. They included entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, artists, businessmen and women. Some commuted to jobs an hour away. Not one of these families is still living in Bangor.

Why did they move? With few outdoor recreational areas, and few casual ways to meet friends and neighbors, they felt isolated. They hoped for a city with many interesting stores, coffee shops and opportunities to enjoy nature and city life with friends and family. They didn’t find it here.

With the Penjajawoc Marsh, Bangor has within its borders a unique environment, a value that is waiting to be added to any package tour, and an outdoor recreational opportunity for residents and visitors alike. Most other cities can only dream about such a golden egg in their midst. We hope the Bangor City Council has the wisdom to vote no on the zoning change at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 28.

We must move forward with the current proposal for city and citizen committees to negotiate land use plans for this irreplaceable natural economic engine for our region.

Joyce K. Schelling is a sales representative with Recycled Office Products Inc.