Excavations for sewer lines and a basement were underway this week for the Emporia State Federal Credit Union’s new branch office at 24th Avenue and Industrial Road.
“They tell us we’ll be in by fall of ’09,” said Angie Miller, chief executive officer and manager of the credit union.
The building, containing 2,800 to 2,900 square feet, will be built in the Tudor style of the credit union’s main office at 310 W. 12th Ave., with one and a half stories and featuring a red brick exterior, stucco-like facing with crossbars and oriel windows.
“The Tudor is so distinctive,” said Sally Conard, president of the board of directors. “It’s not commercial or industrial looking.”
The branch will have four offices, a spacious lobby and teller area, drive-through lanes and a media center that marketing director Susie LeGault will maintain with information about events happening at the credit union and around town, successes of the teachers and professors who are part of the credit union, and other pertinent happenings.
The branch also will add safety deposit boxes to the credit union’s line of services.
“Our members have asked and asked for that,” Miller said.
“And we listened,” Conard responded.
The new building is the result of three years’ worth of planning. For a time, the women said, the board considered erecting at least an ATM building to have a presence on the northwest side of the city; it was part of the organization’s long-range strategic plan.
Deposits had been increasing significantly for several years, they said, and the credit union has experienced record loan growth this year, particularly with primary mortgages.
“Our history is a very conservative financial institution, and this is a big step for us,” Miller said of the building. “...Once the new middle school went up, and then Timmerman Elementary, a large number of our customers worked in that area.”.
The change in demographics made building an entire branch a better option for the credit union and for its customers.
Joel Phipps of ReMax Realty worked with credit union officials to find the right property in the northwest and, after considering several properties, the board settled on the 216 feet by 214 feet lot at 24th and Industrial.
Miller and other building committee members — Ted Vannocker, Jerry Baumgardner, Larry Falcetto, Zack Lake, Joni Vaughn, and Josh Hubler — worked on the plans with the board, architects, and general contractor Rick Mitchell of Mitchell-Markowitz Construction of Emporia.
“They were able to bring really good information to the board so we could make good decisions,” Conard said. “They did an immense amount of work.”
The result will be one of the “greenest” buildings in the area. The committee has worked with Bill Hanlon of Emporia, who has extensive experience in creating environmentally sound buildings.
“That was one of the intentions when we decided to (build) ... to make it as energy efficient as possible,” Conard said.
The new branch will be made of insulated concrete forms (ICF) base construction, in addition to other non-traditional energy-saving options, including using indigenous plants that require less watering, Miller said. Materials for the stonework will come from an area quarry, which will lessen the need for fuel to transport the stone.
The building is expected to qualify for at least a minimum level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. However, because of the large expense involved in inspections and other documentation required for certification, the rating may not be sought by the credit union board.
“We wanted to build a facility that looked to the future — not to try to copy something that we have here that works today, but something that would carry us to the future,” Conard said. “We think this is our statement to the community that we believe in Emporia. We believe in its future. That was one of the factors that made us move ahead and not just (install) an ATM. ... We’re committed to Emporia.
The credit union has more than 4,900 members, who gain eligibility by being employed by, enrolled at, or having graduated from, educational institutions in Emporia and its surrounding communities. Parents, siblings, and grandparents of those eligible also may join the credit union.
irishemporia (anonymous) says...
Great...The economy tanks, I can't get a decent return from my money deposited at the credit union, and they can build a brand new branch. I think I would rather see them do something positive for the customer, and new construction isn't it.
December 13, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )