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August 14, 2006
Wakulla Bank Unveils Downtown
Blountstown Branch Design
Masonry Vernacular Style Conforms to Florida Main Street Program Design Specifications
Blountstown, Fla. - Customers who visit Wakulla Bank’s downtown Blountstown branch next year won’t find the traditional white façade and green roof that mark many of the bank’s other branches. The bank today unveiled plans for a unique exterior that complements existing downtown architectural specifications and conforms to Florida Main Street program guidelines.
“It’s extremely important to us that our downtown Blountstown branch design complements Florida historical preservation efforts,” said Vicki Montford, who manages Wakulla Bank branches in Blountstown and Bristol. “This branch design clearly demonstrates that Wakulla Bank’s community commitment extends above and beyond excellent financial services.”
Project Manager Joe Corbett of Florida Concepts Inc. said the building design reflects the Masonry Vernacular building tradition of the early 20th Century, where communities often used similar types of architecture, construction techniques, and building materials.
The branch will be located on a lot previously occupied by the vacant Piggly Wiggly and several other buildings, one of which the top floor had fallen through and was well beyond repair.
Main Street Blountstown Chair Tony Shoemake said the buildings were crumbling and dangerous. “Wakulla Bank has taken a major step in the revitalization efforts of downtown Blountstown,” said Shoemake. “Many attempts had been made over the years to save one of the buildings, but it just couldn’t be preserved.”
According to Wakulla Bank President and CEO Walter C. Dodson Jr. the new branch design furthers the bank’s active partnership with the City of Blountstown and support for its revitalization efforts.
“We are excited about the unique design opportunity our downtown Blountstown branch offers,” said Dodson. “We always have been an active supporter of the communities that we serve and welcome the opportunity to be part of the Florida Main Street Program and a supporter for Blountstown’s downtown restoration.”
Florida Main Street is a technical assistance program that encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation, particularly in Florida's historic retail districts. The Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, administers the program by working with local downtown managers and advisory boards to revitalize downtown areas.
Dodson said the bank will host a community ground-breaking ceremony in early September.
