Resolution 7152 - Laserfiche WebLink

6 Despite the old-fashioned look of the temporary building, the bank wanted to emphasize that it was enlightened, modern and safe, with every service needed for Everettites. They even promised that all their pens would not leak. The temporary building was moved away to make space for the parking area for the new bank building about a year after it was built. A new bank building at 1621 California Street Architect: John Bryant of Bryant, Butterfield and Frets, Everett General Contractor: Frank Waltner of Puget Sound Builders The new bank was ready for move in on July 29, 1963, and dedicated on August 9, 1963. Perhaps to contrast with the old-fashioned look of the temporary building, the new bank was intended to be very modern. Board Chairman Carpenter stated for the Everett Herald, "When we first opened a year ago, we said we were here to provide modern banking geared to the best interests of Everett and Snohomish County." The director stated the building was "the last word in modern banking." The steel and concrete building had 3,800 square feet on the main and basement floors and a mezzanine (intended for future use). The Everett Herald mentioned "the striking feature of the arched (vaulted) ceiling supported by slender white columns. Gold-color Italian glass tile and large window areas, some clear and some amber colored, form the exterior." Aluminum- framed windows were grey plate on the east with gold figured glass on both sides of the columns. The interior was laid with gold carpet, and modern tables and chairs. Instead of fixtures common to banks, the bank touted their walnut furniture with steel legs and frames, and inviting mushroom shape tables for the customers. Walls were walnut panel and grass cloth, and hemlock. The draperies were white. The fireproof walk-in vault, with new modern safe deposit boxes, reportedly had the thickest walls in Everett. The lower floor had a boardroom, storage and utility areas, and an employee's lunchroom. By 1980, the Bank of Everett had grown to 10 branch offices, and merged with Rainier National Bank that year. The sign on the building was changed to Rainier Bank. In 1992, it was changed again to Key Bank, and a drive-through was added in 1996. By 2005, the City of Everett owned the building. Cope-Gillette Theater, Village Theater Kidstage at 2730 Wetmore The City of Everett purchased the former Red Men's Lodge on California Street, the land for Key Bank and the bank building in 2005 for about $1.3 million. On December 1, 2007, the Everett Herald announced plans for the City of Everett and Village Theater to share costs in transforming the empty Key Bank building to build a 170-seat children's theater, classrooms with sprung floors and rehearsal space, and to convert the parking lot to a public plaza. The Village Theater Kidstage program was held in the Everett Performing Arts Center, using the lobby for classrooms. The Kidstage program was very popular (and remains so today). In the proposal, the city would pay for exterior improvements,