Bank of America will close its downtown Evanston branch on Feb. 8.
The bank axed the downtown branch, 1705 Sherman Ave., due to service which overlaps with another Evanston branch on Chicago Avenue about half a mile south of downtown, said company spokeswoman Diane Wagner. The corporation decided closing the downtown branch based on transaction records at the two branches, Wagner said.
Evanston official Steve Griffin said the city was “disappointed” at the closure but expects new businesses to occupy the space soon, adding that the city is reaching out to new tenants to lease the space.
“Sometimes it’s one step backward but three steps forward,” said Griffin, director of the city’s community and economic development department.
Wagner said the bank sent letters to branch customers in December to announce the closure. The bank’s website also displays a notice. Staff at the branch will transfer to other Bank of America branches, she said.
But Evanston resident Agnes Turner said she didn’t know about the pending closure. Turner said the closure won’t inconvenience her, but could affect the downtown area.
“It’s downtown,” she said. “Anything that alters the continuity is never good.”
