Fifth Third Bank buys land for Bee Ridge branch

BUYER: Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati

SELLER: NAP Bee Ridge LLC

PROPERTY: 8260 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota

PRICE: $1.5 million

PREVIOUS PRICE: $1.8 million, February 2005 (contains multiple parcels)

LAW FIRM ON DEED: Roetzel & Andress, Naples

PLANS, DESCRIPTION: Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank purchased a 1.14-acre vacant outparcel at the Publix at Bee Ridge shopping center for $1.5 million.

Fifth Third Bank spokeswoman Jama Dock says the property was part of the bank's growth strategy for the market. The bank was attracted by the ability to reach its customer base in eastern Sarasota, she says.

The bank's standard prototype branch building is 2,885 square feet, with either two or three drive-through lanes.

Publix at Bee Ridge is 47,900 square feet. North American Properties developed it.