Bangor - Sanford Street in Bangor is learning the meaning of the phrase "Out with the old, in with the new."

The Bangor YMCA tore down four old homes on Wednesday, located right behind its 2nd street location, that have been empty for years.

"We purchased these buildings 3 years ago as part of our consolidation plan and future expansion," explained CEO Mike Siele.

Though the expansion is still in the planning phases, getting rid of these rundown buildings was a priority to help clean up the look of the neighborhood and to be ready for when work on the expansion does begin.

Siele said, "With the city of Bangor's initiative to help improve 3rd Street to Main St, we really wanted to contribute to getting this done as quickly as possible."

The YMCA has big plans.

"Our vision for the future is a new basketball court, two high school regulation side by side courts to bring basketball back to the main location. We also have plans for a new work out facility, expanded locker room space as well as land fitness studios."

There's no timeline yet for when these new buildings will go up, but in order to make room, those four on Sanford Street had to come down.

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