Citizens First Bank plans to shut the Avenida Central drive-through banking facility after it constructs a drive-through location in Spanish Springs.
Marty Dzuro of The Villages made the disclosure during a special meeting Tuesday afternoon of the Lady Lake Commission.
The commission had set the meeting to learn more about The Villages Operating Company’s plan to build a drive-through facility on .3 acres of land at 1105 Caballero Court in downtown Spanish Springs.
The drive-through facility would be located behind the Citizens First Bank on Main Street.
Dzuro’s disclosure caught commissioners by surprise.
“That’s my bank,” said Mayor Ruth Kussard. “I know the tellers and it’s where I prefer to bank.”
The lobby at Avenida Central closed this past October. The drive-through facility has remained open.
Citizens First Bank President Steve Kurtz confirmed that the Avenida Central drive-through would close once the Spanish Springs drive-through facility opens.
But the Spanish Springs drive-through could face an uphill battle.
Commissioners expressed their opposition to the plan, primarily because of traffic concerns.
“It looks very tight to me,” said Commissioner Tony Holden. “It seems to me there are other places in the area that might be more accommodating.”
Commissioner Jim Richards left no doubt about his feelings about the plan.
“I am not gong to be voting for this,” he said.
The project will go before the Lady Lake Commission on Oct. 6.
