Two walls from the old Texaco gas station will be used in constructing the new Southern Republic Bank.
BELLEAIR BLUFFS – After a few fitful starts, the eyesore northeast corner of West Bay Drive and Indian Rocks Road is getting a makeover and a new tenant.
Since the Texaco station located on the site closed in 2005, several developments proposed for the property have failed to materialize. Now, partial demolition work has begun on the gas station building in preparation for the new occupant – Southern Republic Bank.
The bank will become the city’s 10th banking institution. Banks and financial service companies have clustered within the city’s compact, three-fourths of a square mile borders.
The bank will offer two drive-through windows with ATM and teller services, plus an indoor banking area. Fifteen parking spaces will be available for customer use.
Public Works Director Robert David said the bank is a conforming land use for the property, which is zoned residential-office-retail. The building, however, will not meet setback requirements, as it is due to extend 10 feet out in front of the current footprint. The previous gas station had been a nonconforming use.
The existing structure will be partially demolished to create the bank building, keeping the roof and two walls only as part of the new structure, David said.
Voids created by removal of the underground gas tanks will be filled in. Contamination issues resulting from the gas station use have been previously resolved, and the property was given a clean bill of health from the EPA last year.
A completion date for the bank has not been set. David said a building permit has not yet been received from the county which will be needed before the actual construction can begin.
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