New bank in DeKalb is a go

Heartland Bank soon will have a new location to call its own along Grove Street in DeKalb.

On Monday, the DeKalb City Council backed the bank’s request for a special-use permit to allow a drive-thru at 330 Grove St.

City Manager Bill Nicklas said the petitioner intends to construct a single-story building of about 2,100 square feet on the vacant property.

“It will include two commercial drive-thru lanes,” Nicklas said.

The petitioner, Heartland Bank and Trust, purchased about 0.5 acres of property last fall. The space, 330 Grove St., was once a senior center. The building that occupied the property has since been demolished, city staff said.

According to the plans, Heartland Bank will close its existing location at 913 S. Fourth St. after the new one opens.

Upon the site’s completion, it will feature two drive-thru lanes, an ATM lane, 10 parking spaces and a bank building.

Third Ward Alderman Tracy Smith expressed his support for the petitioner’s plans for the site.

“It’d be nice to see that little corner developed,” Smith said. “It’s been set empty for quite a while.”