Gulf Winds Center eyes March opening
BY BRADLEY "B.J." DAVIS, JR. Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News Gulf Winds Center, located on Daniel Drive across from Gulf Breeze High School, will be home to Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union and several other offices. There is currently space available for more occupants.

Dr. Alan Overbaugh of Shoreline Park, LLC recently announced a March opening for the Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union complex. Legal and architectural firms will occupy several offices, and spaces remain available. Overbaugh said there have been some construction hurdles since the 2003 formation of the LLC.

"We're definitely delayed. Gulf Atlantic was supposed to have the streets (Daniel Drive extension) done in August 2004, but they weren't completed until June of 2005," said Overbaugh. "Obviously Ivan made a huge difference. It was a costly hurricane." He added that after Ivan, construction costs went up tremendously, and it was apparent with the solid construction of the building. The structure, located between Daniel Drive and Shoreline Drive behind the former CVS building recently purchased by Moulton Properties, is capable of withstanding strong hurricanes with its steel and concrete construction. In addition, the building will house a generator for backup power in the event of an outage, nature-related or otherwise. He said the fortified structure has made a drastic difference in insurance coverage.

"In the long run, it will be worth it. My first insurance estimates after Ivan were considerably higher," said Overbaugh. He said that with building upgrades down to the steel studs that will be used, his insurance rates are now considerably lower.

Overbaugh said his reason for moving to the area in 1998 was caused by health concerns. He was forced to leave his dentistry practice is South Dakota as a

result, and "happened to fall into this LCC process,"

"When I left the practice, I wasn't ready to do 'nothing,'" said Overbaugh. Four years and several hurricanes later, Overbaugh is ready to supply the demand for area office space. "I really think in the long run, we're running out of space in Gulf Breeze.

"There's a reasonable demand for office space and we're one of the few that offers the interested parties the ability to purchase their space rather than lease it," Overbaugh said. He said several spaces will be available after the center opens that range from 667 square feet to 1,222 square feet. He added that with the completion of the Daniel Drive extension and the impending completion of the Publix shopping Center, Seashell Collection, Gulf Winds Center will complement the city's business core.

On the heels of the Gulf Winds Center will be another project by Overbaugh, a 2,400-square-foot building scheduled to begin soon on adjacent property on

Shoreline Drive where the Schroth Realty building and Harry Hamm's Barber Shop currently stand. Overbaugh said the center will include two 600- square foot spaces and a 1,200- square foot space which will more than likely be occupied by

Schroth Realty. He added that a contractor expressed interest in moving into the complex as well. The project will begin soon and will be completed 90 to 120 days from then.