Is the Tri-Cities poised to get a second Costco, this time in Richland or Pasco?
The answer — for now, at least — is that there’s nothing official to report.
A Costco representative said the company’s policy is not to comment on new locations or construction until it’s ready to share details, and it has no information to provide. A second Tri-City store isn’t on Costco’s list of locations coming soon.
There’s no official word from city leaders, either.
In Richland, rumors have been swirling on social media that Costco is considering a location in the Dallas Road area. But Mandy Wallner, the city’s economic development manager, said no permit application for a Costco in her city has been filed.
And while a location in the Broadmoor area of Pasco once seemed close to a done deal, officials also offered no firm update there.
Jon Funfar, Pasco’s communications program manager, said the area has attracted “significant attention” after the city council’s introduction of tax increment financing to help with major transportation enhancements.
However, while “Broadmoor Properties, the landowner, is actively collaborating with numerous potential commercial and residential developers, with several discussions underway under non-disclosure agreements,” the city can’t “provide specific comments regarding its awareness of potential developments,” he said.
Tim Ufkes of Marcus & Millichap, the marketing agent for Broadmoor Properties, said there’s no contract with Costco, although “we have hopes (they’ll) come back to the table and locate a new store within the Broadmoor development.”
There’s certainly seems to be demand for another Costco in the area.
The Kennewick location, which is in the midst of a multimillion remodel, draws about 80,000 to 100,000 shoppers a week and employs about 530 people.
The remodeling work at the store at 8505 W. Gage Blvd. includes replacing the refrigeration system and giving the “freshline” departments an overhaul.
The price tag is about $3.3 million, plus $1 million in plumbing work.