Credit union planning new Westdale office

A Cedar Rapids credit union has purchased a lot at Westdale for development of a branch office within the next 12 to 24 months.

A preliminary site plan shows First Federal Credit Union, 425 First Ave. SW, is planning to construct a 7,500- to 8,000-square-foot building on the corner of Williams Boulevard and the entrance to Westdale Drive. The credit union will occupy half of the building, with the remaining portion used for either leased space or future expansion.

'We look forward to being a part of the Westdale redevelopment,” Tom Chalstrom, president & CEO of First Federal, said in a news release. 'This is an ideal location for our members.

'We will work diligently with our design and construction team to create a facility that will meet the needs of our employees and members.”

Mike Pickering, First Federal chairman of the board, said the Westdale site fits into the credit union's strategic objectives for providing products and services to residents across Linn County.

First Federal, chartered in 1926, is a 10,600-member community credit union with offices in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha. It is the second-oldest credit union in the state of Iowa.