Bank, Medical Offices Proposed At 29th, Se Blvd.

Washington Trust Bank wants to build a new drive-in branch bank and a medical-dental office building at 29th and Southeast Boulevard.

The bank last month filed an application with the city seeking approval of its proposal for the northwest corner of the busy intersection.

A public hearing before the city hearing examiner is expected as early as the middle of June, said Andrew Worlock of the city zoning staff.

The proposal calls for a merger of two separate projects approved by the city in 1989 and 1990 for a bank branch and an office building at the same location.

City law requires the developers in this case to get new approvals if they change their plans.

In the new plan, Washington Trust is working with property owners Monte J. Kestell and T. Patrick Lacy, who own four lots at the north end of the site.

A 2,000-square-foot branch bank with five drive-in windows would go up near the intersection of 29th and Southeast Boulevard.

A 39,400-square-foot office for doctors and dentists would be built to the north of the branch on the four-acre site.

The site currently is occupied by a small church.

An informational meeting with residents of the area was held at Adams Elementary School last Tuesday night.

Traffic concerns are expected to occupy much of the debate and prompt scrutiny by city staff.

The developers have agreed to pave Stone Street at the east end of the site. Stone would be used as one of the main accesses.

However, that poses a potential for slowdowns for eastbound traffic on 29th. Those could be caused by drivers making left-hand turns off 29th to get north onto Stone.

, DataTimes