QUEEN CREEK, AZ — Even in the middle of a pandemic, the Town of Queen Creek has welcomed many new businesses within the last year — Trader Joe’s, Total Wine & More, Barrio Queen, and Hampton Inn by Hilton, the first hotel to open there.
While it is still early in the process, it appears that another major retailer is looking at the possibility of coming to the area — Costco Wholesale.
A spokesperson for the Town of Queen Creek confirmed to ABC15 that a developer has submitted initial plans to the town that would include a Costco warehouse. ABC15 obtained those documents through a public records request.
MG2, a California-based architecture, strategy, and branding firm submitted an initial application and proposal to the Town of Queen Creek regarding the building of a Costco Warehouse and a 24-pump gas station there.
According to its website, MG2 has worked with Costco for more than three decades and helps the company with architectural design, cost management, program management, and planning for new locations and prototypes.
Another company in Utah was also hired to conduct a traffic impact analysis study regarding the proposed project, which Queen Creek requires for new proposals and developments.
According to the proposal, Costco would be the main tenant of an 18-acre development near Ellsworth and Queen Creek roads in an area that is currently undeveloped land.
The warehouse would be 150,000 - 160,000 square feet and like other Costco locations would have a meat department, bakery, food service preparation, alcohol, pharmacy, hearing aid center, eye center, and food court, according to the project narrative included in the initial proposal, which was dated January 21, 2021.
Costco closed all of its photo centers in February.
The proposal also included tire sales, a Costco fuel station, and a large parking lot. It also proposed extending Queen Creek Road to the west of Ellsworth Road to connect to the development.
For its part, Costco generally does not comment on future warehouses until the company is ready to make an announcement, a spokesperson has told ABC15 previously, which is usually two to three months before a warehouse opens.
Costco declined to comment and MG2 did not respond to an email seeking comment.
A spokesperson for Queen Creek said the proposal is still in the early stages of the development review process.
"We are always excited at the prospect of welcoming a new business to the community, especially a business that is so highly desired by our residents. Costco would be a wonderful addition to Queen Creek and we are eager to have them continue the process,” said Queen Creek Economic Development Director Doreen Cott in a statement to ABC15.
If ultimately approved, it would mark the 16th Costco in the Phoenix metro, including the Costco Business Center in Phoenix, and the 19th in the state.
In September, Costco opened a warehouse in Surprise, a city whose residents have wanted the retailer to open there for years, and closed its location at Christown Spectrum Mall in Phoenix.
