Bangor council rejects Ohio Street arterial change, advances central kitchen

The Bangor City Council voted down an ordinance that would have reclassified Ohio Street as a major arterial, following opposition from residents and a Planning Board recommendation against it. Councilors also approved moving forward with construction manager negotiations for the Bangor Central Kitchen project after rejecting a postponement, and heard extensive public comment on immigration enforcement and free speech.

Key points

• The council voted 8-0 against ordinance 26-058, which would have removed Ohio Street and State Street from the minor arterial definition and added Ohio Street as a major arterial; the Planning Board and Business and Economic Development Committee had both recommended it not pass.
• A motion to postpone item 26-050, authorizing the city manager to negotiate with Sheridan Construction for the Bangor Central Kitchen project, failed 6-2, with Councilors Mallar and Hawes supporting the delay.
• The council then approved 26-050 by a 6-2 roll call vote, with Councilors Mallar and Hawes opposed.
• Public comment included calls for the city to protect immigrants and take a stance against ICE cooperation, and opposing comments urging support for ICE and stricter enforcement.
• Residents raised concerns about a proposed transgender sanctuary resolution, including questions about the validity of petition signatures and whether proper committee process was followed.
• A Fairmount neighborhood resident described tree limb damage to her home after an 11-week delay in city removal of a condemned tree, and said the city denied responsibility under the tort claims act.

Next steps

• Item 26-050 on the Bangor Central Kitchen was approved, authorizing the city manager to negotiate a contract with Sheridan Construction.
• Ordinance 26-073 on short-term rental restrictions in tiny home and manufactured home parks was referred to the Planning Board for its February 3, 2026 meeting.
• Ordinance 26-074, authorizing $450,000 from the stormwater unassigned funds account for a Sanford Brook drainage trunk line, was referred to committee.
• Staff said State Street could return in a separate future order, since combining it with the Ohio Street change required re-notification for any new proposal.

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