A building that had been a mainstay at the corner of Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue since the 1940s was torn down Saturday by its owners, Citizens National Bank of Meridian.

    CNB Chief Operating Officer David Barr said the building, which had been used as storage facility by the bank, was no longer structurally useful and cited a greater need for more parking for the bank and the downtown area at night and the weekends.

    “This is a project we’ve had on the drawing board for the last couple of years,” Barr said. “The building was not structurally suitable for any type of renovation. Basically, what we found is that we need parking for our customers. We have a lot training sessions and community events at the bank. We’ve taken the building down and will beautify areas of it, but primarily it will be for parking.”

    Barr said the bank’s plans, which were approved by the city of Meridian, will call for an iron ornamental fence to be built around the lot. Green spaces will be added and more lighting brought in. Barr said the project will enhance the overall appearance of downtown.

    “One of the things we realized is that when we close the bank in the evening, our parking lot becomes filled because of the events at the Riley Center; so we need the additional parking space,” Barr said. “But we want to do it in a way that aligns with Meridian Main Street’s most beautiful plan. We feel this project will enhance downtown.”

    Karen Rooney, executive director of Meridian Main Street, gave the project a positive review.

    “We lose a building, but we are increasing our parking,” Rooney said. “Plus, they will beautify it so it will look better.”

    Rooney said the building has occupied that space for more than 50 years.

    “The last time there was a tenant there was about 20 years ago, and it was men’s clothing store called Slay’s,” Rooney said. “Citizen’s has used it ever since as storage.”

    Barr said he can recall the building, referred to as the Pigford Building, and added that when workers began clearing out the building for demolition they found items dating back to the 1940s.

    Alan Clodfelter, vice president and general services manager at CNB, said the building covered roughly 5,000 square feet.

    “The building (rubble) should be gone by the end of the week,” Clodfelter said. “The finished project with the new parking and green space should be completed in about six weeks.”

    Barr said 16 additional parking spaces will be created giving the bank a total of 77 spaces in its overall parking lot.