by DAVID HAMILTON

NATCHEZ — Regions Bank opened a new branch on Canal Street last month, paving the way for construction of a new hotel at the bank’s former location on Franklin Street.

Though the hotel’s plans were arranged months ago, the building had been occupied until Aug. 1, making only concept planning possible until recently.

New Orleans hotelier Warren Reuther purchased the Franklin Street property early this year to build a new boutique hotel to be called the Hotel Natchez.

“If all goes well, we will start construction the third or fourth week of this month,” Reuther said.

Reuther’s New Orleans-based company, Hospitality Enterprises, also manages the Natchez Convention Center and owns the Natchez Grand Hotel, Monmouth Historic Inn and Natchez City Sightseeing tour buses.

Local architect Johnny Waycaster, Reuther said, would be contracted to handle the construction

Reuther said all development would occur on the building’s interior, with no exterior work necessary. The hotel will contain 67 rooms, including seven suites he said.

Reuther also said the hotel would employ 35 people, having already hired 2 — chief engineer Don Lambert and general manager Bill Given, who is currently the Natchez Grand Hotel Assistant Manager.

Reuther expects the hotel to open in March.

Shifting to the new Regions Bank location on Canal Street, branch manager Mitchell Chappell said the bank has already seen the benefits of relocating since opening July 24.

“It’s been great,” Chappell said. “The branch is way more up to date technology-wise. It’s smaller, but it’s just so much more efficient.”

While Chappell said customer reaction in general has been positive, he believes the new location has specifically benefited tourists. Chappell said tourists love having easy access the branch’s ATM, which gives customers the capability to speak with an employee even when the bank is closed.

“It’s got virtual teller capabilities,” Chappell said. “Seven o’clock at night, you hit (a button) and you can talk to a live teller on the screen.

“It’s probably the most advanced ATM in the state of Mississippi, I would think,” Chappell said.

The branch has scheduled an official grand opening week from Aug. 15 through Aug. 18, which will feature:

4A ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Aug. 15, and

4A customer appreciation celebration day on Aug. 18, when the bank will hand out food and other goods to customers throughout the day.