Decorah Bank and Trust receives approval to build parking lot

Location of future parking structure

Decorah Bank and Trust will add a new parking lot, just east of the bank's main downtown location. Last fall a house was moved from the bank's property to Mechanic Street, creating additional space.

Executive Vice President Joe Grimstad shared with decorahnews.com that this is not going to be your usual parking lot. The new parking lot will feature a parking structure with solar panels on the roof. "It's an opportunity to use an idle space that can double as additional parking for bank employees during banking hours and be a producer of clean, renewable energy," said Grimstad.

"Adding solar panels to our existing solar array will offset more of our carbon footprint and this lines up with our corporate values," commented Grimstad.

The main purpose is to add parking spaces for bank staff during banking hours. On weekends and evenings, the public will be able to utilize the parking structure.

Grimstad explained, "It's a fun model of what can be done. The icing on the cake for this project is that it will provide shade on hot, sunny days and protect cars from snow during the winter months.

The project is slated to begin in late June.

Architech drawing of parking structure with solar panels on the roof

Side view of the parking structure