Construction is underway on a new Ulster Savings Bank branch at 3857 Main Street in Stone Ridge. Designed by Alfandre Architecture of New Paltz, the building will replace the bank’s existing location near Emmanuel’s Plaza and is expected to open in late summer 2027.

Plans call for four drive-up lanes, including one with an ATM, private offices, and a meeting room available for community groups to use. The design also incorporates geothermal heating and cooling, energy-efficient insulation, and provisions for rooftop solar panels and battery storage.

“Construction of the new Ulster Savings Bank branch in Stone Ridge, Ulster County, New York is underway,” architect Rick Alfandre announced. He said the facility was designed to prioritize “comfort, health, resiliency, and long-term sustainability.”

The existing branch opened in October 2003 but no longer meets the bank’s needs. “We outgrew the space for that building,” said Connie Harkin, Ulster Savings Bank’s vice president of marketing.

John Finch, the bank’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said the new location will provide more capacity for drive-up banking and incorporate energy-efficient building systems.

Energy Efficiency and Construction

Conservation, stewardship, and sustainable architecture are prominent parts of Marbletown’s identity. The town holds bronze certification in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Smart Communities program. Town Board meetings often feature discussions of emerging concepts such as agrivoltaics — the use of land between solar panels for farming — as well as resolutions aimed at protecting sensitive natural areas such as Pacama Vly.

That local emphasis on environmental issues provides context for the new bank’s design, which includes several features intended to reduce energy consumption.

Heating and cooling will be provided by a geothermal, or ground-source heat pump, system. Energy-recovery ventilation is also planned to help manage indoor air quality while reducing energy use.

According to Alfandre, the walls and roof will use advanced wood framing, dense-pack cellulose insulation made from recycled paper, and continuous exterior wood-fiber insulation. The foundation walls will use an insulated concrete form system.

The roof will be designed to accommodate solar panels and battery storage, although the architect’s description does not confirm whether those systems will be installed as part of the initial project.

“The building has been designed to accommodate a roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system and battery energy storage,” Alfandre said.

Finch said the bank has incorporated energy-saving measures at other locations. Its Kingston headquarters at 180 Schwenk Drive includes a solar carport, an electric-vehicle charging station, energy-efficient lighting, and cool-roof technology. The bank was certified as a Green Business Partner in 2021, he said, and has installed solar panels at several branches.

The Stone Ridge project also includes measures to manage stormwater and limit light pollution. Underground infiltration chambers are planned to help return rainwater to the groundwater table, while exterior lighting will be designed to meet dark-sky standards.

“Site planning has been carefully considered to enhance both convenience and environmental stewardship,” Alfandre said.

Expanded Banking Services

The four drive-up lanes are intended to increase capacity at a location where the service is popular, Harkin said.

“The drive-up banking is really strong,” she said. “There will be more availability in our new location.”

Inside, traditional teller counters will be replaced by teller pods intended to facilitate direct interaction between customers and bank employees.

Finch said the design includes two pods, each with two workstations separated by glass to provide privacy during transactions. Four private offices are also planned.

Meeting Space For Local Groups

The branch will include a room that community groups can use for meetings, subject to availability, Harkin said. The room will have a separate entrance and a small hospitality station.

Finch estimated that it could accommodate meetings of up to 20 people.

The addition comes as indoor gathering space has been a topic of discussion in Marbletown. The Marbletown Community Center is closed during construction of the BRICKS project, and residents have raised questions at Town Board meetings about alternatives for indoor activities and meetings.

“There will be a space available at the new Stone Ridge location for community groups to meet on an availability basis,” Harkin said. “It’s not just about us, it’s about the community as well. The new site was built with that in mind.”

Opening Expected In 2027

While construction is proceeding, no ribbon-cutting or other ceremonial plans have been announced, and the anticipated opening remains late summer 2027.

Finch credited Alfandre with an emphasis on energy-efficient design. Harkin said environmental considerations remain important to the bank’s operations.

“It’s important for us to be eco-friendly in all of our operations and facilities,” she said.