Sanibel bank to begin rebuilding Ian-damaged branch

Nearly two years after Hurricane Ian blew through Southwest Florida, work to rebuild a Sanibel Island bank branch is about to start.

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank says it will begin construction in August to replace its branch at 15975 McGregor Blvd. now that demolition of the previous building has been completed.

According to a statement, the new building will feature “a coastal contemporary design” along with a two-lane drive-thru, drive-up ATM, solar panels and safety deposit boxes. There will also be a community room with video conferencing capabilities open to customers and community organizations.

Extreme Painting and Contracting will build the new facility which was designed by Moore & Spence Architects and Island Interiors of Sanibel.

The branch is expected to open late next year.

Hurricane Ian hit Sanibel on Sept. 28, 2022, causing widespread damage and leaving homes and businesses in ruins. The McGregor Road Sanibel Captiva branch was no different. The bank says the building suffered significant flood damage.

Since the storm, the branch and its employees have been working out of a fully functional mobile banking trailer on-site.

The bank, which was founded in 2003, has $729 million in assets according to the statement, It has seven locations throughout Lee County and employees more than 100 people.

A second Sanibel branch, at 1019 Periwinkle Way, was also damaged. It too is being rebuilt and expected to reopen later this year.