What's up with that?

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Construction site on Moorpark Road

It looks like it could be a castle. It has a turret, lots of square footage and a U.S. flag flying from the top.

Many have asked, "What's up with that?" Some are disappointed to hear it's going to be a bank. Just a bank. Nothing else. No coffee shop, no dress store, no place to stop and buy anything.

"It is zoned as office space," explained city planner Haider Alawami.

What used to be a gas station at 18 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. near Moorpark Road is going to be a Ventura County Credit Union- the whole building- - more than 12,000 square feet of space, Alawami said. Upstairs will be bank offices.

He said he's glad it's not going to be retail space. An oddshaped lot, according to Alawani, the corner spot doesn't need anything that would add to the traffic and congestion.

"It's a good location for a bank," he said.

If you have a question about something you've seen, send it to "What's up with that?" Thousand Oaks Acorn, 2660 Townsgate Road, Ste. 760, Thousand Oaks CA 91361 or send an e-mail to tonewstip@theacorn.com.

- - Nancy Needham