Resolve, Directing the Maine State Housing Authority to Negotiate
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0901
Sponsors: BALDACCI, ROEDER

Legislative Document
No. 901
S.P. 390
In Senate, March 11, 2025
Resolve, Directing the Maine State Housing Authority to Negotiate 
for the Purchase of or Acquire by Eminent Domain the Land and 
Buildings Commonly Known as the Bangor Mall
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 5, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Housing and Economic Development pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Representative ROEDER of Bangor and
Representatives: RANA of Bangor, SUPICA of Bangor.
Sec. 1. Purchase property. Resolved: That the Maine State Housing Authority 
shall enter into negotiations for the purchase of the property commonly known as the 
Bangor Mall located in the City of Bangor, referred to in this resolve as "the Bangor Mall."
Sec. 2. Exercise right of eminent domain. Resolved: That, if a purchase and sale 
agreement or other contract for the conveyance of the Bangor Mall to the Maine State 
Housing Authority pursuant to section 1 has not been executed by all necessary parties 
within 12 months of the effective date of this resolve, the Maine State Housing Authority 
shall exercise its right of eminent domain pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 
30-A, section 4746 and in the manner provided in Title 30-A, section 5108.
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the Maine State Housing Authority shall, within 6 
months of acquiring the Bangor Mall by purchase pursuant to section 1 or eminent domain 
pursuant to section 2, submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over housing matters that includes the following:
1. Costs. The costs of converting the Bangor Mall into affordable housing units; and
2. Legislation.  Legislation proposing the establishment of a municipal housing 
authority pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 30-A, chapter 201, subchapter 2, to 
be called the Bangor Mall Housing Authority.  The legislation proposing the creation of 
the Bangor Mall Housing Authority must include the following:
A. That the area of operation of the Bangor Mall Housing Authority is limited to the 
area of property conveyed to or taken by the Maine State Housing Authority under this 
resolve and the area of operation of any municipal housing authority in the City of 
Bangor excludes this area;
B. That, notwithstanding Title 30-A, section 4723, subsection 1, the 7 commissioners 
of the Bangor Mall Housing Authority must be appointed as follows:
(1) Two members representing the City of Bangor, appointed by the municipal 
officers of the City of Bangor;
(2) Two members representing Penobscot County, appointed by the Penobscot 
County commissioners; and
(3) Three members representing the State, one appointed by the Governor, one 
appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; and
C.  That the duties of the Bangor Mall Housing Authority must include, but are not 
limited to:
(1) Retaining any existing commercial tenants at market rent rates and under other 
terms and conditions common to commercial rentals;
(2) Redeveloping the remaining space in the Bangor Mall into affordable housing 
units consisting of one-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units; and
(3) Offering the affordable housing units for rent to individuals or families making 
between 2 and 4 times the federal poverty level, as defined in Title 22, section 
3762.
Sec. 4.  Appropriations and allocations.  Resolved:  That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made.
HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE
Housing Authority - State 0442
Initiative: Provides one-time funds for the purchase of the land and buildings commonly 
known as the Bangor Mall as well as for any emergency repairs.
GENERAL FUND
2025-26
2026-27
All Other
$20,000,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$20,000,000
$0
Housing Authority - State 0442
Initiative: Provides one-time funds for infrastructure improvements to the land and 
buildings commonly known as the Bangor Mall.
GENERAL FUND
2025-26
2026-27
All Other
$5,000,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$5,000,000
$0
HOUSING AUTHORITY, MAINE STATE
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
2025-26
2026-27
GENERAL FUND
$25,000,000
$0
__________
__________
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS
$25,000,000
$0
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Maine State Housing Authority to enter into negotiations to 
purchase the land and buildings located in the City of Bangor commonly known as the 
Bangor Mall.  If, within 12 months of the effective date of this resolve, a purchase and sale 
agreement, or other contract for the purchase of the Bangor Mall has not been executed by 
all necessary parties, the Maine State Housing Authority is required to exercise its right of 
eminent domain to acquire the Bangor Mall.  Within 6 months of acquiring the Bangor 
Mall, the Maine State Housing Authority is required to submit a report to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over housing matters detailing the costs 
of converting the Bangor Mall into affordable housing units and proposing legislation to 
create the Bangor Mall Housing Authority.  The area of operation of the Bangor Mall 
Housing Authority must be limited to the area of property conveyed to or taken by the 
Maine State Housing Authority under this resolve, and the area of operation of any 
municipal housing authority in the City of Bangor excludes this area. The resolve 
appropriates $25,000,000 to the Maine State Housing Authority for the purchase and 
improvement of the Bangor Mall.