In the East Bay, a proposed Costco Warehouse is one step closer to becoming a reality, but it’s a lengthy path.
The parcel has sat empty for decades, and now Oakland City Council members have agreed to pursue turning this space into a Costco.
“Having Costco in West Oakland would mean millions and millions of dollars per year in sales tax revenue,” said Carroll Fife, Oakland Councilmember.
In November, Councilmember Carroll Fife introduced a resolution to initiate talks with Costco to make this a reality in her district. This week, council members approved that step. We spoke to the real estate investment and development firm behind this deal.
“It turns it from an idea to allowing us to have formal conversations with all parties. It’s a big step. Reality being a store open for business, you know, we’re certainly at least two years away. These things take time,” said Travis Duncan, Deca, VP Development. “Entitlements in particular is going to require detailed environmental studies, as well as deep community engagement and outreach.”
MORE: Oakland’s Jack London Square hopes to get business boost with new CA law
What’s crucial to turn the former Army base into a Costco is community input. Councilmember Fife is hearing from residents Thursday night.
“What are some of the concerns that you are hearing from the community?” ABC7 News reporter Luz Pena asked.
“The primary concern is about the environmental impacts. So, there are two organizations, two companies that were slated to move to the area that Costco is interested in at the Wake Avenue location the former army base,” said Councilmember Fife. “California Waste Solutions and CAST is another recycler that is in West Oakland where it was slated to move to that location, but since they have fallen out of contract and weren’t able to complete their work or the development of their project at that site, then I don’t want another 20 years to go by where we are not realizing the revenue the City of Oakland can generate.”
Randy Thompson has lived in West Oakland for 30 years. He said many in his community have been waiting for this.
“I would love it because we need it, and we need resources. We need banks, we need real estate investors, we need the whole shebang,” said Thompson.
MORE: 170 Oakland small businesses receive grants totaling $2.2M to stay and thrive
“Do you have any grocery stores near you now?” Pena asked.
“No. Not at all, because we bring or try to bring a grocery store, but is here today and gone tomorrow,” said Thompson.
Oakland leaders are hoping this project will tackle food desert issues in West Oakland and create jobs, but first they want to see Costco commit fully.
“At the end of the day from Costco – let me see the dollar and that is the bottom line. We talk a lot of ‘you are coming’ but I haven’t seen the numbers. What does it mean in terms of taxation, investment wise for the City of Oakland,” said Noel Gallo, Oakland City Councilmember.
We contacted Costco for comment and have not heard back. The company would be responsible for cleaning the parcel of any toxins on the ground before construction.
If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live