Costco Is Planning to Open Its Largest Warehouse Ever
Costco to Open Its Largest Warehouse Ever in Fresno, California.
Costco, known for its massive warehouse stores, is set to open its largest location yet in northwest Fresno, California. The proposed warehouse will cover an impressive 241,000 square feet, sprawling across 22.4 acres of land, as reported by The Fresno Bee. This expansion breaks Costco's own records for square footage, as their average warehouses are about 146,000 square feet, and even the current largest Costco, situated in Salt Lake City, Utah, is 235,000 square feet.
The new Fresno warehouse will be situated at the intersection of Herndon Avenue and Riverside Drive, replacing an existing 134,000-square-foot warehouse located just three miles away. Originally, Costco had planned for a smaller 178,000-square-foot location in 2021, but the latest proposal aims for something even bigger.
The ambitious plans for the Fresno warehouse include 32 gas pumps, an automated car wash, and nearly 900 parking spaces. However, the project is facing resistance from local residents concerned about potential traffic congestion from customers and delivery trucks in the area. Some have even raised safety concerns for students walking home from nearby schools, fearing the extra traffic could pose risks. Moreover, there are worries about increased air pollution due to the higher traffic volume.
Currently, the proposed Costco warehouse is undergoing an environmental review process before the company and city can proceed. Recently, the Fresno Planning & Development Department released a draft environmental impact report and initiated a 45-day public comment period.
When approached for further details on the new location, Costco declined to comment.
While the Fresno project moves forward, Costco has canceled another planned warehouse in Lowell, Arkansas. This location would have been the first Costco in Northwest Arkansas and the second in the state. The reasons behind the cancellation remain unclear, but the owner of the land where the warehouse was intended to be built expressed that Costco might reconsider in the future.
Meanwhile, Costco is expanding its presence in various markets across the United States, with five new warehouse openings scheduled for this summer in Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Ohio, and California.
