"This is a perfect example of maximizing space and doing infill development," Grewal said. The township already is rewriting its master plan, with attention to two key drivers for the township: Economic development and land preservation.Īreas in existing high-traffic corridors that can be redeveloped to attract new businesses play a role in both efforts, according to the township. One possibility is for the chain to submit a PUD, seeking spot zoning for the store and gas station instead of a traditional rezoning.Įither way, the move makes it likely that the Planning Commission and Board of Trustees will consider how the entire corridor could be reshaped in coming years. It’s unclear today how Costco will choose to pursue the rezoning, said Grewal. Yet the location also will require demolition of existing office buildings in Airport Plaza, along with zoning from the township. And the Ellsworth Road frontage connects the location to the shopping at Lohr and Ann Arbor-Saline Road and, to the east, at Carpenter Road. The location also sits between two key shopping districts on State: Briarwood in the city and the new Walmart-anchored shopping center at State and Michigan. Meanwhile, Ellsworth accounts for another 14,000 cars per day. Even with a vacancy rate of over 20 percent, an estimated 50,000 people work within three miles of the intersection, according to Landmark Commercial Real Estate. Traffic on South State is estimated at 33,000 cars per day south of I-94, a number fueled in part by the concentration of office space along the corridor. The State Street corridor, said Supervisor Mandy Grewal, “is one of our main gateways into the township.” And by turning away from Jackson Road, Costco’s move will further anchor Pittsfield Township’s regional retail dominance. “It’s not Briarwood, but they don’t need the Briarwood draw,” Grant said. With the Pittsfield Township deal, Costco apparently has overcome all of those barriers.Īnd in the meantime, it found a location close to a major interstate and to the county’s population core. So while established centers like Brarwood Mall and Arborland didn’t have the space for a Costco, property on the outskirts was overpriced, too far out or tainted by political hurdles to development. In the Ann Arbor market, those types of locations can be rare, forcing - at least in times of major retail expansions - a chase for buildable property on the outskirts of town. ![]() And other locations in Michigan typically feature similar highway proximity and visibility. It opened 25 stores per year as recently as 2005, but that will slow to 7 new stores in 2010.Ī previous location sought by the retailer in Washtenaw County would have given it visibility from I-94 and access from the Zeeb Road interchange in Scio Township. Yet it also is not the most likely spot to envision a new warehouse store in a chain where the average footprint of a new store tops 143,000 square feet.Ĭostco operates 567 stores, 414 in the U.S. The location, said Chris Grant of First Martin Co., “is fantastic.” Costco generated $71 billion in sales in 2009.The retailer has met with planning commissioners and other officials, but has not finalized site plans. ![]() Costco is doing a traffic study now and has submitted a request for a liquor license.Tenants in those buildings will be relocated, officials said. The property, owned by developer Jake Haas, now houses several businesses in single-story buildings, which would be demolished.The retailer seeks to build a warehouse store and gas station on the north side of Ellsworth Road, between Tyner’s Furniture and Airport Boulevard. ![]() Officials confirmed on Wednesday that the member-only warehouse club wants to build a local store.
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