Penn National reveals plans for Bangor gambling complex

Associated Press

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File photo A driver exercises a horse at Bangor Raceway last November. A spokesman says a racino will create 400 to 500 new jobs.

BANGOR — Penn National Gaming Inc. has unveiled detailed plans for Maine's first racino, a 90,000- to 100,000-square-foot facility on a single level that would house 1,500 slot machines. The multimillion-dollar complex next to the historic Bangor Raceway also would include an attached four-story parking garage with a capacity of at least 1,500 vehicles, company representatives told city officials at a Monday night workshop.

The project still faces numerous regulatory obstacles, including the formulation of state laws governing the slots, a city zoning change and site plan approval.

Penn National spokesman Eric Schippers said his company was seeking feedback from the city so any issues or concerns could be addressed before the racino's site plan and other planning and design documents are made final.

Schippers said the Bangor racino will create 400 to 500 new jobs, most of them full-time and with benefits.

"We hope to start seeing the moving of earth in May 2005," he said.

Under the current plan, the landmark statue of Paul Bunyan that has overlooked Main Street since 1959 would remain at its existing site.

Less certain is the long-term future of the Bangor State Fair, which each year draws more than 60,000 people to Bass Park. If Penn National wants the fair relocated, it must provide the city two years' notice and $1 million.

The second phase of development calls for the addition of a small hotel. The company said the hotel is required under Penn National's development agreement with the city only if annual income reaches $60 million.

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