Money is on the move

The empty southwest corner at Highway LL and Main Street in the Village of Belgium where a gas station once stood will be occupied by a bustling business this summer.

Port Washington State Bank plans to construct a new branch on the site, moving from its current location at Main Street and Maple Street.

The Belgium Plan Commission on Monday approved a conditional use permit for the building.

The branch will be 3,500 square feet and include two drive-through lanes. The building will be more than 24 feet tall at its peak, and it will incorporate designs inspired by architecture found across the area, including former St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the old Lake Church Inn, the Mamer-Hansen stone barn and the interior and exterior of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society Roots and Leaves Museum.

“They look amazing,” Village Clerk Theresa Bartley said of the building plans.

She said construction isn’t slated to start until around June, with plans to open the branch in 2027.

Port Washington State Bank owns its existing branch, where the Post Office is also located. Bartley said the Post Office will stay there, but she doesn’t know what will happen to the rest of the building.

The bank’s next step is to get a building permit.

“We’re all pretty excited about it. It’s going to look really nice,” Bartley said.