BB&T will build new branch at site
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on August 20, 2007 1:45 PM
PIKEVILLE -- Winston-Salem's BB&T bank chain has plans to permanently locate on land it currently occupies in a double-wide trailer, a bank representative said.
The bank will retain all of its current employees, who will move into the new branch when it is complete, BB&T spokeswoman A.C. McGraw said.
The move comes after the bank relocated from another Main Street building to the trailer on 102 E. Main St.
The bank's old quarters has a mold problem. Building owner Yvonne Smith donated it to the town of Pikeville, which has dedicated about $10,000 to try remediating the building.
Now, BB&T wants to make its new home permanent, Ms. McGraw said.
"It is our intent to build a branch in Pikeville," Ms. McGraw said. "We have purchased that very property our trailer is on."
Plans for the actual building are not finalized, however, the spokeswoman said.
The property the bank purchased on East Main Street, is made up of three divided lots, the spokeswoman said.
Such factors as whether the building would have drive-thru access, parking facilities and other banking amenities have not yet been determined, Ms. McGraw said.
"It's premature. That's the best word," she said.
The bank's old building has become a topic of some controversy among town commissioners.
Mayor Herbert Sieger thinks the building could serve as a town hall.
But Commissioner Johnny Weaver voted both against taking the building and spending $10,000 to clean up the mold.
Commissioner Edith McClenny said she wanted a feasibility study conducted at the donated building before its acceptance, but such a study was not done.