By By Janet Litte Cooper
The major renovations that have been going on at United Banks main branch are approaching completion. The bank is hopeful that everything will be done in time for a community grand re-opening in late February or March.
"The lobby is the final piece," Nick Baggett, United Bank Marketing Coordinator said. "There are some areas around the actual vault that need touching up and we still have to place more promotional displays in the area."
The lobby is also waiting for the completion of the Bean Counter Internet Caf/. The facility will be located near the rear entrance of the bank's lobby and will be open to the public.
The renovations came as a result of damages sustained from Hurricane Ivan last September.
"The winds from Ivan jarred the AC units from their base on the bank's roof," Baggett said. "One of the units actually fell from the roof and clipped the awning of the drive-thru area. The roof had numerous holes from the damage to the AC units and that caused the second and third floors to flood. The lobby was the only floor we were able to use."
As the bank began the damage assessment, it was determined that it would be best to renovate the entire building.
During this time, the construction of the new Southside Station had begun and was completed. According to Baggett, the new branch offered bank customers a pleasant alternative to avoid the renovations of the main branch.
"We had to move in temporary facilities in the parking lot for administrative and personnel staff," Baggett said. "The second floor was refurbished to operate once again as our administrative and human resources."
One of the more prominent changes occurred on the third floor with the addition of a mezzanine. With that additional space, the bank was able to house five more departments on the floor.
"Everyone has moved back into the main building," Baggett said. "They have been in place since December. The majority of work is done, other than some little cosmetic things, especially in the lobby."
The bank just began renovating the AG building located behind the bank. Workers were seen ripping out the buildings contents on Thursday. The AG office is located on the second floor of the main bank while construction is underway.
"We are not done," Baggett said. "Since the dust has settled, we are renovating the AG building just to parallels what is going on in the main office."
The United Bank branch in Monroeville just recently completed renovations as well, that were modeled after the main banks interior.