Banking on a new building

Published Sunday, March 30, 2008

By Denny Deady

The doors of the new First State Bank in Bridgeport will swing open Monday morning at 9. Drive-thru customers can try out one of the five new lanes beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Although a formal opening of the 14,100 square foot facility is not planned until April 19, the new bank at 1709 9th St. will be ready and open for business Monday.

First State CEO Embry Hines and Bridgeport President Jamie Cook are more than ready to serve customers in the spacious new facility designed by M.J. Wright and Associates and built by Bridgeport's own Billy Brazier of Brazier Construction. They couldn't have pulled it all together without the help of Janice Sivley, former president of First State's Runaway Bay branch who now works part-time in public relations for the bank. She has helped coordinate the project from the start.

The bank occupies 10,336 square feet of the space, with the remaining office space available for other businesses. Wise County Title Co. and attorney Bill Clary have offices in the new building.

The bank front entry sets the tone for the entire facility. The massive doors open into a lobby that is covered by a large dome with a hand-painted canvas depicting Bridgeport's rich history. Celina artist Malika Roberts painted the mural. The bank's logo is featured all around the interior and exterior of the dome. A huge metal chandelier hangs from the center of the dome, illuminating the rich leather furniture below. Jade ochre porcelain tile is featured throughout the lobby.

Interior designer Laura McDaniel said she has tried to create an "old timey" feeling in the bank and has done so with lighted sconces on hand-troweled walls, floral sconces in the board room and walnut cabinetry with granite tops. A stone wall in the lobby features a spacious fireplace, adding to the homey feel.

"We tried to make it feel like a fine home rather than a business," said Cyd Bailey, who handles marketing for First State. "At the same time, we want it to feel comfortable for the farmer and rancher."

Adjacent to the boardroom is a large training room that will also be made available to civic groups.

Six offices open into the lobby. A receptionist is located just inside the front doors and four teller stations are opposite the offices. Just beyond the tellers is a breakroom that is decorated in dark red and black, including a black and white tile floor.

The new facility is all about customer service, said Bailey.

The drive-thru lanes at the former location had become so congested, Bailey said, that customers were inconvenienced. The five lanes at the new facility include two for commercial customers. The lanes at the old bank will remain open to further serve customers.

Bailey said you need only look at the growth in assets of the bank over the past 10 years, from $36.7 to $145.6 million, to see that a larger facility was needed.