CLB&T to expand downtown location

(Above) Clear Lake Bank & Trust has made plans to expand its bank location into two existing Main Avenue businesses.  -Reporter photo

Clear Lake Bank & Trust has announced its plans to expand its Main Avenue Clear Lake location.

Bank President and CEO Mark Hewitt said plans are still in the development stage for the building project, but after much consideration and study it has been determined the growth will take place on the west side of the existing building.

The project will displace two existing Main Avenue businesses, j avenue and Lyla’s.

“We’ve been anticipating this day for 15 years, when we first purchased the properties adjacent to our Clear Lake office, knowing we would one day outgrow our existing footprint,” said Hewitt.  “In recent years, our forethought has proven correct, and we have been honored to welcome nearly 40 new employees and thousands of new customers to our organization.”

Hewitt said the bank investigated several possibilities for the expansion, but engineers ultimately determined the only feasible solution was to proceed with plans to expand to the west.

“We know that reconfiguring our space will not be ideal for everyone, but we can say with certainty that we have tried our hardest to make the best of the space available,” said Hewitt.  “We have spent hours analyzing space plans which included building up, moving back into our parking lot, and expanding to our west. After review of numerous plans, we have determined our only feasible option for an improved facility is to expand west.”

The project will adjoin CLBT’s current office with the property the bank has owned, but rented to retail and personal tenants since the 1990s.

“We know that for more than 15 years, we have been transparent with renters about our potential building plans. Each lease renewal has included

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an honest conversation that our building project was an ongoing possibility and now that it has become a reality, we remain very active assisting our tenants in finding new locations,” said Hewitt.

Details of the facility expansion project are not complete, but will be developed with general contractor Dean Snyder Construction.

“We know that our project will rejuvenate our aging buildings next door and provide our growing staff a more efficient work space to better serve our customers. And while there are still many questions for which we do not have an answer, we know that we have been, and will continue to be, committed to the vibrancy of downtown Clear Lake for years to come,” added Hewitt.

Twyla Tindall, co-owner of Lyla’s Boutique, said her business has begun its going out of business sale but hopes to relocate on Main Avenue in Clear Lake.  Hewitt said the bank is working to facilitate a move for the business.

Judy Linahon, owner of j avenue, said she does not intend to relocate her business.

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