Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank is exploring plans to replace its Manito branch, at 611 E. 31st, with a $1.6 million mixed-use development that would include a new bank building and separate retail space, says Jack Heath, the bank's chief operating officer.

The bank is considering building a new Manito facility at the same South Hill location with a 3,600-square-foot branch to include a drive-upcanopy and a 4,700-square-foot, three-bay retail center, conceptual plans on file with the city of Spokane show.

Wolfe Architectural Group PS, of Spokane, designed the conceptual plan. No contractor has been named for the envisioned project yet.

"We're going through predevelopment and will make a decision next year," Heath says.

Washington Trust Bank owns the property at the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and 31st Avenue. "We own most branch sites by design," he says.

The bank constructed the 1,900-square-foot, stand-alone branch building in 1969. A drive-up facility with a three-lane canopy was constructed 10 years later. The current structures would be demolished to make room for the project, Heath says.

"It's been a great branch for us," he says of the Manito facility, adding, however, that Washington Trust hasn't updated the structures there for decades.

The three-quarter acre lot at the Manito site might be ideal for new retail space, Heath says. "There's a shortage of space for retail in that area," he says.

Washington Trust Bank, headquartered in the 15-story Washington Trust Financial Center, at 717 W. Sprague, where it occupies two floors, has experience as a commercial landlord, Heath says.

"We own the building downtown, and we also have some tenants in other facilities," he says.

Founded in 1902, Washington Trust has 20 branches in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area and 42 branches overall, including operations in Oregon, and Utah.

The bank reported 2012 net income of $31.4 million and total assets of $4.5 billion as of Dec. 31. Also as of the end of last year, Washington Trust Bank had the largest total of local deposits of any bank operating here, at $2.02 billion.