FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A new Costco location is under construction off Colonial Boulevard between Metro and Plantation roads.
Work crews were seen on the 55-acre site for the first time, digging and reviewing blueprints. Costco purchased the lot for $55 million in May.
The new location will be more than 20,000 square feet larger than the existing Cypress Lake Drive location. It will also be closer for shoppers from Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral and Babcock Ranch.
READ MORE: Fort Myers Costco officially moving to Colonial Boulevard location
“They need more room and more parking,” said John and Julie Boss, Costco shoppers.
Some shoppers said they avoid the Cypress Lake Drive location because of the crowded parking lot. They said they sometimes drive an extra 15 miles to the Gulf Center location just to find easier parking.
“It’s stressful. The parking lot is tight, and we find it, you know, hard to get in and out,” the Bosses said.
Rose-Marie Llanes, who lives in Babcock Ranch, said she has been shopping at Costco for nearly 30 years.
“It’s been part of the life that’s been passed down, and tradition has kept going,” Llanes said.
She said the new location will make shopping trips more convenient.
“Everything’s far from where I live,” Llanes said. “Hopefully, parking’s not as crazy as this setup. Haven’t been too thrilled about this parking setup.”
Mayhugh Commercial Advisors told WINK News Costco has started on site work at the new location, the final “Site Work” permit was issued on June 16th. The preconstruction meeting was held by the city and passed on August 12th. As for the old location on Cypress Lake, Mayhugh Commercial Advisors says they were told Costco plans to use the location for a Costco Business Center.
“It’s just it’s nice to have something eventually closer,” Llanes said.
Costco’s media representatives said they do not comment on new locations that are more than three months from opening. No opening date has been announced.