Falling wall delays Heights bank opening Posted On: Saturday, Oct. 31 2009 05:01 AM By Matt Goodman
Killeen Daily Herald

Texas Star Bank, S.S.B. postponed the grand opening of its Harker Heights branch after a portion of a retaining wall made up of 4,200-pound limestone rocks collapsed.

The bank was originally set to open in November, but will now open its doors in December or January once the wall is rebuilt.

"It's better that it fell now than when we opened," said executive vice president Bobby Whitson. "We've had such soaking rains that it built up too much pressure behind that wall."

The rocks toppled about two weeks ago after the dirt behind the wall became saturated with too much water. On Friday, about 10 limestone rocks were scattered on the ground with caution tape blocking off the area. The path where the rocks fell will lead customers to the drive-thru area behind the bank, Whitson said.

"We plan on taking the whole wall down and starting from scratch again and building from the ground up," he said. "We want to make sure it's done better than the fallacy before."

The interior of the bank is complete. Workers should begin landscaping this week, pending dry weather.

"We're looking at at least a few dry days to get on everything this weekend," Whitson said.

Texas Star Bank, State Savings Bank currently has two branches in Lott and Marlin, which are about an hour from Waco.

The bank has loan offices in Rockdale and Harker Heights.

The new Harker Heights branch will be its third depository bank location.

The first location in Lott opened in 1943 as Lott State Bank. Its name changed to Texas Star Bank, S.S.B. in 2004.

Whitson said the Harker Heights branch is hiring for all positions and will train them at the Marlin location before transitioning into the new branch.

Contact Matt Goodman at mgoodman@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7550.