Spokane Valley-based Horizon Credit Union plans to construct a stand-alone branch in at 613 S. Washington, on the lower South Hill, with a smaller, but more efficient space than at its current branch in a 25,000-square-foot multitenant building at the same street address.

The projected cost is currently at $900,000, confirms Horizon Credit Union CEO Jeff Adams.

Licia Legrant, of Spokane design firm Bernardo|Wills Architects PC, is designing the project, and Baker Construction & Development Inc., also of Spokane, is the contractor, Adams says.

Construction is set to begin in May on the new building, which will front on Washington Street in what currently is part of the parking lot in front of the building in which the branch is currently located. The new structure is scheduled to be completed late this year, he says. 

Adams says he hopes the credit union can move into the new space before the end of the year. 

Going from 4,500 square feet to a 3,000-square-foot branch will require more efficient use of space, Adams says. The new space is being designed to reduce physical barriers to provide an interactive space for members, he says, adding that changing the teller line will make room for more shoulder-to-shoulder, conversational space.

Brian Grytdal, vice president of marketing at Horizon Credit Union, says the planned move from the multitenant building will give Horizon Credit Union better street presence and enable members to find it easily.

Grytdal says the credit union is looking to deploy interactive teller machines on the building exterior. With the new design, members will be able to bank from their vehicle.

Adams says Horizon Credit Union also plans to redevelop its Sandpoint, Idaho, branch this year.

“It’s the member experience that we’re really wanting to enhance,” Adams says. “That’s a 25-year-old branch, and it’s time to look at the workflow and the needs of our members.”