Something New Is Being Built Behind Bangor’s Union Street Shopping Complex. Find Out What It Is!

For years, shoppers coming to and from the Airport Mall in Bangor have had the view of an aging row of nets and tall grass off in the distance, just to the right of the mall complex. But that all changed recently, as the nets came down and large pieces of machinery arrived and started digging up the ground in the field.

So just what is going into that plot of land? Well, we found out recently that it's going to be a place where folks who require physical rehabilitation can get the help they need.

According to their website, Encompass Health, a company based in Alabama that boasts 166 rehab hospitals across 38 states, is building a $ 61 million facility on just under 2 acres of land at 1017 Union Street. If you're not familiar with that spot in town, it's located just behind the McDonald's, where the old driving range used to be.

The company says the Bangor rehabilitation center will be used to help those who have suffered strokes, are recovering from debilitating injuries or illnesses, for those with neurological disorders and brain or spine injuries. They will also serve those who have had amputations or "complex orthopedic conditions."

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"In addition to 24-hour nursing care, the hospital will offer physical, occupational, and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. Care will be provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists, and physicians. The hospital will feature private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies, an activities of daily living suite, an in-house dialysis suite, a dining room, a pharmacy, and a therapy courtyard. "

Encompass has another Maine facility in Portland. The company, as a whole, says it serves over 225,000 patients each year.

With the recent closure of the Union Street Walk-In Care Facility on Union Street, City of Bangor Communications Manager David Warren says the City sees the need for facilities such as the one Encompass is building in Bangor.

Read More: Bangor Residents Face Urgent Care Challenges After Clinic Closure

"We're certainly in need of more health care facilities and options."

Encompass purchased the land for $1.565 million earlier this year. Sources say they hope to open the new Bangor location by 2027.