Campus USA Credit Union coming to Alachua

The Campus USA Credit Union Alachua branch will be similar to the Hunter's Walk Service Center in Gainesville pictured above.

Campus USA Credit Union officials has confirmed reports that the financial institution is planning to build its next branch in the City of Alachua.

Larry Scott, chief executive officer of Campus USA, said the credit union has been eyeing a location on U.S. Highway 441 in front of Lowe’s Home Improvement store for several months.

Paving the way for the new branch, Alachua commissioners voted unanimously on Monday to approve both a preliminary and final plat to the site, which is currently owned by Alachua Development Co., LLC.  Developed under the name Baywood Centre, the approved plat designates four lots and a storm water basin for the 11.27-acre parcel of land.

Scott said Campus USA has a contract to purchase one of the roughly one-acre lots on which it will build a branch similar to the one at Hunter’s Walk on NW 43^rd Street in Gainesville.  The building itself will carry a footprint of about 4,500 square feet and have three drive through lanes as well as a formal lobby.

After it has established its presence in the community, the credit union will employ about six tellers and five others in management and loan officer positions, Scott said.

Campus USA reportedly has just under 30 days to finalize the purchase.  The developer must make physical site adjustments to accommodate the retention basin accompanying the newly approved plat.

The credit union appears to be moving full speed ahead with the project.  Scott estimates that if the entire process proceeds smoothly, construction could begin around September or October 2011 and open about 90 to 120 days after that.  An Alachua branch of Campus USA would mark the credit union’s ninth in Alachua County.  The financial institution has a reported 65,000 members.

After the Alachua City Commission’s approval of the plat, Mayor Gib Coerper said of the credit union, “It will be a quality addition to the city of Alachua.”