American State Bank has purchased property on Austin Avenue with plans to build and open a new bank branch in Brownwood.

The owners of the bank have purchased 3 lots in the 1200 block of Austin Avenue located between Avenue D and the Valero Convenient Store. Three older residential homes are located on the properties and they are currently zoned in an R-3 Multifamily Residential District.

The bank requested that the city change the lots to a C-1 Local Business District in order to move forward with their plans to expand and build the proposed banking facility in Brownwood.   The Brownwood City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday with no public objection of the change.   The council passed the ordinance on first reading to change the zoning on the property.  The ordinance was approved on first reading and will have 2nd and 3rd readings at the next council meeting for final approval.

“The banking facility to be built meets our master plan requirements,” stated Bobby Rountree, City Manager of Brownwood.  He stated that no one on the planning and zoning committee was opposed to the rezoning of the lots.

American State Bank currently operates a branch in Early located at 305 Early Boulevard.