AmSouth back at home
BY BRADLEY "B.J." DAVIS, JR. Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News AmSouth Bank has returned to its original location after being relocated since Ivan.

AmSouth Bank is settling into its former location in Gulf Breeze after relocating to the Bruno's shopping center since Hurricane Ivan. The hurricane heavily damaged the building in September 2004 and the rebuilding process has been protracted.

"In our rebuilding since Ivan, we have encountered many of the same hurdles and delays that our customers and this great community have experienced for the last two years," said Jim Schmitz, Regions and AmSouth North Florida Area Executive.

According to Schmitz the building in which AmSouth leases space has changed hands several times in the past two years.

"We're on a third owner since Ivan, and when you take into account things like different landlords and [collecting] insurance money, we've certainly had our setbacks," said Schmitz. He added that because of these issues, the definitive move-in date of December 18 wasn't set until last month, a date the bank was able to keep.

"It's hard to say [if we were on schedule]. There were so many moving parts," he said.

Customers and employees alike are excited about the freshly renovated building. Schmitz said customers are most excited about the drivethru, an amenity the temporary location lacked.

"I've heard nothing but good things since we've reopened. Everyone's excited to be in the nice, new location," he said.