At a time when so many downtowns are struggling, new building plans announced by a local bank show that our downtown is vibrant.

BB&T has announced plans to vacate its current building at 903 College St. and build on the site of the former Woolworth’s store at 439 Park Row, which is now a parking lot.

Architectural drawings, which show a structure compatible with nearby buildings, are done and the Historic Preservation Board approved the building’s look Feb. 5. Construction could start this fall.

The new 3,200-square-foot building, with its facade design broken up to resemble three store fronts, is to be one story, but high enough to look like the multi-story buildings beside it. The building will take up most of the lot’s space, but about 40 feet of the frontage leading toward State Street will be left as green space. This will allow drivers to get an advance glimpse of Fountain Square Park as they approach.

It sounds like it is going to be a superb building.

We are glad that the bank and the Historic Preservation Board were able to agree on the facade of the building and ensure it complimented the existing buildings in downtown Bowling Green.

BB&T’s decision to build downtown, where it has had a presence since 1911, shows its commitment to downtown Bowling Green.

The new building will certainly change the footprint of the downtown.

As of several years ago, there were two vacant lots on the square. One is now occupied by Park Row Apartments; the final remaining one will be the site of new BB&T bank.

With completion of this piece of the puzzle, our square will have a finished look.

The new owner of the current BB&T building, local businessman Norm Johnson, has said he intends to restore the historic opera house facade, still in place beneath the current exterior, and possibly house businesses on the lower floor with living space above.

Johnson deserves a pat on the back for preserving the old opera house and making good use of this historic building.

We look forward to the completion of these two downtown projects.