BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- As cars drive by on Stillwater Avenue, drivers might notice an empty lot, but that space may not be vacant for long.

A South Portland developer is looking to put in several stores and a Buffalo Wild Wings on the site of the old Queen City Trailer Park, which could be a boost for construction companies.

"That's gonna put earth work guys, carpenters, concrete guys, electricians, drywallers, plumbers, I mean roofers you name it and there'll be some jobs there for the construction industry that desperately needs it," Owner of Gardner Construction
Enterprises Randy Gardner said.

Gardner said his business has been doing well because he does many types of jobs, but he admits that retail jobs have been tougher to come by.

"It's been slow. I think it could use an influx of capital for sure," Gardner said.

Bangor Business Development Specialist Tanya Pereira said if this project goes through it would really help construction workers, but it could also help the unemployed.

"That's really key because the construction industry needs those types of projects as a leading indicator so that we can see that things are going in, and then that permanent job creation will come afterwards. So for us to see that the construction sector is gonna have additional projects to pick up in the Bangor region is very exciting," Pereira.

According to Pereira, the developer still needs to get a couple of permits and receive approval from the Bangor Planning Board and City Council before construction can begin. If all of the details are worked out, work could start this fall.

NEWS CENTER