SOUTH SIOUX CITY - Yet one more piece is in place in transforming South Sioux City's main street into a Prairie Style architecture heaven.
In November, a ribbon cutting was held at the Iowa-Nebraska State Bank, 2021 Dakota Ave., marking the completion of a more than yearlong remodeling and expansion of the bank's main branch.
"I think people used to avoid Dakota Avenue a bit, but I am hoping that with this and other improvements along the street it will become a source of pride for the community," said Ron Bowden, chairman and CEO of Iowa-Nebraska State Bank.
Plans for the building's transformation began in May 2003. Bank President Mark Buckley said the building had not been remodeled since 1965 and the bank wanted to update the building's look while following an architectural design that is being encouraged by the city along Dakota Avenue.
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"We have received compliments on the building and I think the facility meets the goal of looking good," Buckley said. "It is something the community can be proud of because it looks nice."
With a low-pitched roof with widely overhanging eaves, features emphasizing horizontal lines and bricks colored in earth tones, the bank know joins the new library, City Hall and another South Sioux City bank as Prairie Style buildings along the main drag.
The expansion created 6,000 square feet of additional space on the main floor, allowing larger facilities for the bank's growth in residential real estate, electronic banking services, Internet banking and check imaging services, Bowden said.
The expansion also provided new offices for Northeast Nebraska Insurance Agency and American Express Financial Advisors, tenants in the building.
A room bank officials are pleased to offer is the new "Iowa-Nebraska State Bank Community Room," a 120-seat room with a kitchen that can be utilized by civic groups and not-for-profits, Buckley said.
"We needed it for our employee training and other functions, but we also felt the community was looking for different settings to use for meetings. It was an easy addition for us to complete," Buckley said.
The drive-up bank located behind the main branch was also given a Prairie Style face-lift.
Across the river, Iowa-Nebraska State Bank constructed a new 5,300-square-foot, full-service branch on Singing Hills Boulevard in order to expand its service coverage of Siouxland. The new branch opened in July and complements the 2401 Hamilton Blvd. location.
Iowa-Nebraska State Bank has been in service for 85 years with the past 42 at the Dakota Avenue location. The bank also has offices in Wakefield and Wilcox, Neb., and Onawa and Hornick, Iowa.
