Bangor lands second grant for heavy vessel dock

BANGOR – Things are going to get busier this summer at the Bangor Waterfront.

With two cruise companies planning to use the city’s waterfront in 2006, city councilors Monday night accepted another federal grant that will be used to build a heavy vessel dock.

Bangor, like many other communities located along the Penobscot, is courting passenger ferry and cruise ship business, and the new dock will help the city compete for a bigger share of that market, city officials have noted on several occasions.

City Engineer Jim Ring pointed out during Monday’s meeting that the city last year received $744,000 in Federal Highway Administration funds, distributed through the state Department of Transportation Ferry Boat Discretionary Program, to apply to the project, expected to cost about $930,000.

Concerned that more funds might be needed, Ring said, the city applied for additional funding and last week learned it had received a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s boating infrastructure grant program, the maximum award amount available.

Stan Moses, assistant community development director, prepared the grant application.

The heavy vessel dock, slated to be completed in time for the 2006 boating season, is designed to accommodate larger passenger vessels, Ring said earlier. It also will be handicapped accessible.

American Cruise Lines, based in Haddam, Conn., has been using the Bangor Waterfront as a home port for the last two seasons. This year, its 49-passenger American Glory will ply the Penobscot from July through September as part of the Maine Coast and Harbors cruise.

Also this summer, Clipper Cruise Line, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., will use the city’s heavy vessel dock for two new programs. According to its 2006 schedule, the line’s 102-passenger Nantucket Clipper will visit Bangor as part of its Cruising the Waterways of Coastal Maine cruises in May and June, and Fall Colors of Maine cruises in October.

In response to questions from Councilor Geoffrey Gratwick, an avid boater who was on Harvard University’s national collegiate championship team in 1965, Ring said cruise boats will not displace the small pleasure boats that use the existing city dock upriver from the site picked for the heavy vessel dock.

“That frees up our other docks for smaller boats,” Ring said. “It helps to make our overall waterfront more useful.”

Councilor Gerry Palmer said it was important to attract more cruise boats to the area. He asked how large a ship the new dock could accommodate.

Ring said minimum channel depths at low tide allowed for 200- to 300-foot vessels, but that most of the ships that come to Bangor likely will be in the 150- to 200-foot range.

Also on Monday, the councilors:

. Accepted the independent audit for the fiscal year that ended last June 30. Councilor Richard Stone, who is chairman of the council’s finance committee, praised Finance Director Debbie Cyr and her crew for another clean report.

. Authorized the city manager to accept up to $8,900 from the Bangor Noontime Kiwanis for the Police Athletic League’s recreational lodge. During the meeting, the club was recognized for committing up to $15,000 to meet staffing and program needs. The group also is working on plans to create long-term funding.

. Approved a liquor license for China Harbor Restaurant, opening soon in the former Burger King building at 547 Main St., and a special amusement permit for the Elks Lodge at 108 Odlin Road.

. Recognized Bangor students who participated in the 2005 Maine Recycles Week art competition. Bangor High School and James F. Doughty School received $100 checks for their entries. Art created by pupils at Mary Snow School and William S. Cohen School were chosen for the 2006 Maine recycling calendar.