Bangor Mall Declared Unfit For Occupancy Monday

In a move that caught many off guard, especially those who had just been in the building this past weekend shopping for costumes at Spirit Halloween, the City of Bangor condemned the building Monday, citing that it was "unfit for human habitation or use."

Signs on the door, dated 11/02, state, "This structure has been condemned for human habitation or use in accordance with Chapter 223 of the Laws and Ordinances of the City of Bangor. Occupancy is forbidden until conditions detrimental to life and health have been corrected to the written satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Office."

It goes on to say that anyone who enters the premises or removes the sign could face a fine of between $100 and $2,500.

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While the move to condemn the building itself wasn't surprising, as the city and the mall's owners, Namdar Realty Group, have been battling over improvements and upkeep for several years, the timing came out of left field for many.

Some areas of the mall had already been condemned. But others were still occupied and functioning.

Stores like Hot Topic, Spencer's, and Spirit Halloween were still actively bringing people into the space, and local investors were trying to get backing to buy the building and turn it into luxury condos. The investors did lose the backing of one of their major players, and were in the process of trying to secure alternate funding when they got the news.

We're told that the local investment group was unaware of the City's plan to condemn the building this week. We have reached out to the City, but have not heard anything back from them yet.

There's no word yet on where the businesses that had still been operating out of the mall will go, but it sounds like they were not given much notice, if any, before being told to vacate the premises.

The Dicks Sporting Goods store and JCPenney retail spaces did not have any signs on their doors. So far, they seem to be exempt from the City's actions.

The 7th Annual Bangor Mall Christmas Craft Fair is scheduled to take place in the Furniture, Mattresses & More space, the building that's attached to the Bangor Mall, on the next two weekends, November 7th and 8th and November 14th and 15th.