Bangor Mall owners ordered to pay over $1.1M if settlement cannot be reached

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - Things have gone dark for part of the Bangor Mall as the legal battle continues between the City of Bangor and mall owners.

City officials say they were “left with no choice” but to turn off the power in portions of the mall last week on Jan. 30, citing “concerns related to health and safety.”

In a statement, the City says: “Although we recognize that this step will create challenges for the businesses in the Mall, and for the Mall’s owners, the safety of the employees and visitors to the Mall is our highest priority.”

On that same day, a judge issued an order in the case Bangor brought against Namdar Realty Group, the New York company that owns the mall.

While the court did verify Namdar has completed most repairs, it determined there are still violations concerning the maintenance of stormwater management, the roof, and paving.

Crews were seen on the roof Wednesday. Namdar says the work has been challenging due to the recent snow.

With over $500,000 invested in the mall’s revamp, Namdar says: “While the availability of qualified contractors during severe winter weather conditions is extremely limited, mall ownership promptly engaged a professional roofing contractor and has committed to six-figure expenditures to complete necessary roof repairs as safely and expeditiously as possible.”

They add that City officials say if the roof was not repaired within two weeks, “the entire mall could be closed.”

Per a judge’s order, if a settlement is not reached between the City and Namdar in 45 days from Jan. 30, the ownership group must pay over $1.1 million to the City.

The court also requests Namdar to provide the City a set schedule of remediation efforts.

Ultimately, all repairs must be complete by June 15.

Both parties say they will continue working together throughout this process.

Namdar says they are “committed to the long-term viability of the Bangor Mall and keeping it open.”