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Bexley ARB pushes First Financial Bank to preserve Main Street activation, remands design to BZAP
Summary
Architects and bank representatives presented a plan to relocate the bank’s primary entrance to the rear for security and operational reasons. ARB members pressed for design changes that would preserve or replace pedestrian activation on Main Street and moved the file to BZAP (Dec. 4) with a condition it return to ARB for final approval.
k4 Architecture principal Rick Posey presented the First Financial Bank proposal for 2680 East Main, describing interior reprogramming to relocate the primary customer entry to the rear parking lot and a small front vestibule that would remain as a visual gesture to Main Street.
Posey said the proposal includes a raised clerestory to bring daylight into the lobby and brand-standard materials that incorporate the bank’s yellow as an accent. "First of all, I apologize that I am not Sandy Tenenfeld, who's been speaking with us," Posey said, explaining a colleague’s absence.
Board members strongly objected to removing an active street‑facing entry. Mister Scott said the plan “cuts off all pedestrian aspect” and urged the architects to find ways to show activity on Main Street even if the functional door moves to the back; Mister Hyer recommended the conference room be glazed and expressed that “there has to be something that feels like activity” on the street. Several members suggested a hardscape “folly” or small plaza and recommended softening the proposed brand yellow on signage so it reads as part of the streetscape.
Jeff Hartley, First Financial’s representative, told the board the bank wants to "be a part of this community" and that the rear entrance responds to customer access and security needs. "We want to be the best bank in town," he said.
After extended discussion about pedestrian activation, signage color and the building’s character, ARB voted to move the proposal to the Board of Zoning & Planning for its Dec. 4 meeting with the express condition that BZAP remand the project back to ARB for final certificate of appropriateness once the design is revised.
What the board asked the applicant to do: - Explore design strategies that maintain a visible, pedestrian-facing presence (glazing, visible conference room or courtyard) if the functional entry is relocated; - Provide muted or context‑sensitive options for the bank’s yellow brand color on signage; - Prepare a landscape/hardscape concept for the front corner that can function as a public-facing gesture without undermining bank security.
Next steps: The project goes to BZAP on Dec. 4. ARB requested the applicant return to ARB after that hearing with revised materials so the board can issue a final certificate of appropriateness.
