allU.S. Moves Forward With Plans for New Branch In North Salinas!
October 23, 2014 - by Patrick Redo
Over the past several years we have spent significant resources in building our credit union to include a full complement of products and services to give our members access to over 30,000 surcharge free ATMs, use of their smart phone to make deposits from anywhere that they might find it convenient and to provide loan programs to enhance their life situations.
In 2001 the former Monterey County Employees Credit Union moved from a small house on Capital Street in Salinas to our present facility on West Market Street in front of the train station; the old “Sizzler” as most long term residents refer to our building. In mid-2013 we sold the “Sizzler” site to the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) in anticipation of the Right of Way acquisition for the Commuter Rail Service Extension to Monterey County. We had determined it was better to be proactive prior to any possible eminent domain action. Coincidentally, our current location had also come to an end of its usefulness for a variety of reasons. Primary among them are the security of our personnel and members and the degradation of our building due to the appetites of termites.
Our decision for a move to a shared site with the El Gabilan library location at North Main and Navajo Drive was made after considerable research of our credit union’s demographics along with suitable available real estate in the City of Salinas. Demographics show that our membership is spread out fairly equally throughout Salinas, but primarily between North and South. We reviewed purchase and leasing options, locations that would be convenient to our core membership; county employees. For our new building, we reviewed purchase to build, purchase and remodel, lease and remodel and lease to build options. The brick and mortar location had become somewhat less important with the ability of allU.S. to service our members via phone banking, internet banking and smartphone or mobile banking ALL of which we provide 24/7, but we do still pride ourselves on providing excellent personal service and feel that our brick and mortar location is vital so we can continue to offer the well-known personal touch, knowledgeable staff, an inviting building and welcoming lobby that our members enjoy and expect.
Our decision to lease the El Gabilan site was considered after multiple options were reviewed plus additional due diligence considering costs and accessibility in Salinas. The partnership with the city came about when we discovered that they owned the parcel adjacent to the library which many residents know as a Christmas tree lot in season. We began a lengthy negotiation which included an expansion of the library in association with our lease payments. The impact of partnering with the city to improve the library in our community was attractive beyond all other options. We consider education as a core principal of our credit union and members, so this tipped the scale as the “right thing to do” for Salinas and for our credit union members.
Until this transaction was approved at the city council meeting in October we could not announce with 100% certainty that we were moving to this location as permits and land use issues often can destroy even the best intentions. Once the city planning department submitted our package with recommendations to the city council on 9-23, four more weeks passed before the council’s vote could be taken on the El Gabilan location insuring that our “i’s” were dotted and the “t’s” crossed.
What will the new office afford us to do for our membership? We are excited with the new design created with our members needs in the forefront. We will use teller pods that will reduce the chances of robbery to almost zero enhancing our employee’s health and security, an ATM to enhance access to their money 24/7, offices for member privacy, a comfortable lobby to access accounts on multiple PCs or drink a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and contemplate your next financial endeavor in a stress free atmosphere. Our new branch will be sustainable, environmentally friendly and secure, including abundant natural lighting, a meeting place for community groups and organizations, and an expanded parking area without the distractions of our current facility.
How long will it take to get into our new building? Again there are issues related to permits which are outside of our controls, but we are hopeful that by October of 2015 we will be in our new branch. Our architect who specializes in credit union design is located in Wisconsin, but our new facility will be built 100% by local trade people and businesses.
Architects vision and plans are posted in the current lobby some mebers can look forward, along with us, to the new offices. We hope that our members are as excited as we are to welcome allU.S. credit union to the 21st century.
Our old building will be razed by TAMC at a time to be determined, and converted to a parking lot which should help serve the future needs of Salinas and the area and upgrade access to mass transportation in the future.
Topics
Changing the game of vehicle total loss protection
3/2/2019
Why Should I Refinance My Vehicle at allU.S. Credit Union?
5/26/2015
Save Money with a Fuel-Efficient Car
4/24/2015
Should I Buy or Lease?
3/26/2015
First Time Car-Buying Tips
2/25/2015
Is 0% Financing Too Good to Be True?
1/16/2015
What do you need to do to improve your finances in 2021?
1/1/2021
Protect Your Financial Health During and After the COVID Crisis
7/2/2020
What Can You Do With $20?
2/28/2020
BUILDING A SOLID FINANCIAL FOUNDATION
1/29/2020
What is your Financial Personality?
9/28/2019
Money Management Apps to help boost your finances
9/2/2019
How's Your Financial Vocabulary?
1/30/2019
BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON IS UPON US!
8/2/2017
How to Enjoy Your Summer Vacation Without Maxing Out Your Credit Cards
6/24/2017
CONFESSIONS OF A TAX GUY
3/29/2017
Make the Most of Your Financial Life
1/26/2017
Nine Strategies to de-clutter, organize accounts and manage your money
9/26/2016
Perks to Belonging to allU.S. Credit Union
4/27/2016
A New Card with Improved Security
3/29/2016
Tax Time: Prepare Smart and File Fast
2/24/2016
SET YOURSELF UP FOR FINANCIAL SUCCESS IN 2016
1/20/2016
Clean Up Your Finances for the New Year!
1/6/2016
Splurge Or Save? The Unlikely Budgeting Tip To Help You Stick With It
8/25/2015
Home Equity Loan vs. Home Equity Line of Credit - What’s the difference?
7/30/2015
Why Should I Refinance My Vehicle at allU.S. Credit Union?
5/26/2015
Save Money with a Fuel-Efficient Car
4/24/2015
Teach Your Children Financial Independence
4/24/2015
Should I Buy or Lease?
3/26/2015
Should You Consolidate your Debt Into One Low Payment?
1/28/2015
Spend Smart This Holiday Season
12/16/2014
Spring Clean your Finances
4/22/2014
Make the Most of Your Tax Refund
2/26/2014
How Do You Give Thanks This Year?
11/20/2020
Filipino American History Month
10/25/2020
allU.S. HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE
12/7/2019
Happy Thanksgiving from allU.S. Credit Union
11/27/2019
Discover Halloween Savings
10/11/2019
8 Holiday Tips to Get You Through the Year
12/11/2018
Happy Thanksgiving from allU.S. Credit Union
11/20/2018
Season's Greetings!
12/18/2017
How To Survive Black Friday and Cyber Monday Like An Ace!
11/15/2017
allU.S. Wishes You a Safe and Happy Holiday
12/19/2016
7 Ways to Avoid Stress this Thanksgiving
11/17/2016
Happy Holidays from allU.S. Credit Union
12/17/2015
Let’s Have Thanksgiving Dinner on a Budget
11/9/2015
Fun With Pumpkins: 5 Homemade Fall Decorations Using Everyone's Favorite Gourd
10/19/2015
Spend Smart This Holiday Season
12/16/2014
Pull Out All The Stops This Thanksgiving without Breaking Your Budget
11/21/2014
SHOULD I CUT THE CORD?
8/29/2020
Three Ways To Maintain Your Summer Financial Goals
7/20/2019
Tips for a Frugal Fourth of July
6/28/2019
Tax Identity Theft: Protecting Your Credit and Finances
4/22/2019
How to get the Best Deals Online
3/30/2019
PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
10/27/2018
Charging your phone in public? Watch that port!
9/1/2018
CAN YOU SPOT ME SOME CASH?
7/25/2018
Loyalty Loan Program
8/31/2016
Home Equity Loan vs. Home Equity Line of Credit - What’s the difference?
7/30/2015
Why Should I Refinance My Vehicle at allU.S. Credit Union?
5/26/2015
Save Money with a Fuel-Efficient Car
4/24/2015
Should I Buy or Lease?
3/26/2015
First Time Car-Buying Tips
2/25/2015
Should You Consolidate your Debt Into One Low Payment?
1/28/2015
Go Green - It's a no-brainer investment!
7/30/2014
TIPS TO THROW A PERFECT TAILGATE
9/28/2018
Coronavirus Update
3/26/2020
allU.S. Credit Union is proud to announce the launch of our new mobile banking app!
2/27/2018
Jazz Advanced Banking
1/17/2018
EQUIFAX DATA BREACH
10/24/2017
allU.S. – Your Most Trusted and Valued Financial Resource
10/20/2016
Moving a Hop, Skip & A Jump Away
5/20/2016
Celebrate International Credit Union Day with allU.S. Credit Union.
9/28/2015
allU.S. Vacation Discounts Promise Nothing But FUN This Summer
6/19/2015
Annual Update From The CEO
5/21/2015
Stress Free Banking At Home In your Briefs!
3/26/2015
allU.S. Moves Forward With Plans for New Branch In North Salinas!
10/23/2014
DISCOVER THE FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD!
9/28/2020
A Message To Our Credit Union Family
5/18/2020
Make Your Home Equity Work For You!
3/27/2018
2017 Is The Year to See Change in Your Life!
2/20/2017
allU.S. Credit Union Announces the Grand Opening of its New Location in Salinas
7/21/2016
Celebrate International Credit Union Day with allU.S. Credit Union.
9/28/2015
allU.S. Vacation Discounts Promise Nothing But FUN This Summer
6/19/2015
Stress Free Banking At Home In your Briefs!
3/26/2015
allU.S. Credit Union Is Turning 1
8/25/2014