Costco files site plan for proposed Pittsfield Township store
Costco has filed a site plan to construct a new store in Pittsfield Township.
File photo | AnnArbor.com
Costco is making official its effort to build a store in the Ann Arbor market by filing a request to rezone its proposed Pittsfield Township location with municipal officials late last week.
TJ Design Strategies Ltd. of Oak Brook, Ill., is the developer of the project, which is envisioned for Ellsworth Road west of South State, between Airport Boulevard and the Tyner Furniture property.
The company is proposing:
• A 139,891-square-foot warehouse store. • A 5,807 square-foot tire center. • A gas station on the northeast portion of the property, with frontage access from Airport Boulevard.
The property, according to plans, is 17.08 acres now owned by Airport Boulevard Associates.
It's now classified as a business park, and the rezoning request seeks to convert the property to site-specific zoning under a Planned Unit Development.
Officials have said that existing single-story offices on the property will be demolished to make room for the store.
"This is the first step in the process for them to get the ball rolling," said Mandy Grewal, township supervisor. Existing businesses on the property already have begun a relocation process, assisted by the landlord. While the site plan approvals have not been issued, Grewal said she and Jake Haas of Airport Boulevard Associates think it's important for the relocations to happen now.
"We don’t want to have local businesses feel like something is happening and they’re not being taken care of," Grewal said. "... It's not fair to have local businesses hanging … we want them to feel like they have a stable place to be in for the long term."
Costco Wholesale Corp., a high-end, member-only warehouse club, is one of the top three largest retailers in the U.S. It's based in Washington.
The company is reporting $70.37 billion in sales through August, representing an overall increase of 9 percent. That increase is based on 4 percent sales gains in the U.S. market and a 20-percent year-to-date increase in international markets.
The Pittsfield Township proposal follows years when Costco sought an Ann Arbor-area location, then a pullback from developing new stores in Michigan.
With the proposal - which will head to the Planning Commission for a public hearing on Sept. 16 - Costco is seeking the largest new retail development project in Washtenaw County since the economic downturn started locally in 2007. A Walmart Supercenter, which opened in 2009 and is located a few miles south of the proposed Costco, was approved in spring 2007.
Steve Puuri, managing director of the Washtenaw County Road Commission, said a traffic impact study for the store proposal soon will be finalized.
"A second round of comments has been given (to Costco)," he said this morning.
Multiple jurisdictions have a stake in the traffic outcomes, Puuri added: Ann Arbor is responsible for traffic on South State Street, including a portion of the intersection at Ellsworth Road. Washtenaw County officials control traffic on Ellsworth.
Meanwhile, no one connected to the store's development has applied for a tax abatement so far, Grewal said by email this afternoon.
According to the plans submitted, the store is located at the southeast portion of the parcel, with a 35-foot setback. A detention basin is mapped on the far eastern edge of the property, bordering the Tyner Furniture parcel.
Also, parking for the proposed store is shown on the west and north part of the parcel - effectively placing the building close to the road, with the parking "behind" the building to someone approaching from the State/Ellsworth intersection.
View Larger Map
Map of the proposed Costco location, which is just northeast of the "A" on this map.
Comments
applehazar
Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 3:26 p.m.
So - last night was the Master Plan 2010 meeting - no media coverage at all. No minutes - typical
PittsfieldTwp
Fri, Aug 27, 2010 : 7:11 a.m.
My Sam's Club membership is over in October and I would rather not renew. Chop, Chop.
mikes
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 7:05 a.m.
>>I recall when I applied for our (very small) sign, I mentioned I'd be further ahead by taking a business card to the front of the building and shining a flashlight on it! was intended to say TAPING" a business card. Hey A2.com - an "edit comment" function would be most helpful, thanks!
mikes
Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 6:53 a.m.
Brad's right - no traffic circles. If anyone wants to see how it's _successfully_ done, go to New England. Those "rotaries" are big enough to put a gazebo in (30-50 foot diameter circles!), not the 10-15 foot "jokes" in Green Oak and out by the new high school! Also, as a small business owner in Pittsfield, it's good to see that they _may_ be becoming more "business friendly". I recall when I applied for our (very small) sign, I mentioned I'd be further ahead by taking a business card to the front of the building and shining a flashlight on it!
Chris Gordon
Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 2:42 p.m.
Concerning the widening of State Road south of Ellsworth, in March 2010 the Washtenaw County Road Commission voted to support the proposed southwest offset and extension of the primary runway at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport in order to enable the planned widening of State Road south of Ellsworth. Rerouting the roadway to the east is not a practical alternative because it would impact the wetland complex on the east side of State Road. A preliminary State Road Corridor Study was completed in 2006, and Washtenaw Area Transportation Study funds to begin detailed planning for widening of State Road into a four lane boulevard should be available beginning in 2011. http://www.heritage.com/articles/2010/03/29/heritagewest/news/doc4bb10aa78d48a870662750.txt http://www.wcroads.org/services/planning/statecorridor.htm Resurfacing of Ellsworth from Maple to State ($270,000) and reconstruction of State from Ellsworth to Textile ($13,000,000) are listed as unfunded projects in the Washtenaw County Road Commission 2010-2014 five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The 2011-2015 CIP is currently under development. http://www.wcroads.org/services/planning/capitalimprovementsplan.htm http://www.wcroads.org/services/planning/pdfs/CIP%202010-2014_adoption/CIP%20-%20Unfunded%20List.pdf According to a review of 2009 projects included in the 2010-2014 CIP, The project on State Road, Old State Road, Moon Road, Campus Parkway and Michigan Avenue related to the new Walmart store in Pittsfield Township began in September 2008. The project consisted of reconstruction and widening of the various roads as well as installation and updating of traffic signals. The entire project cost was paid for by Walmart. (2010-2014 CIP, Page 11) http://www.wcroads.org/services/planning/pdfs/CIP%202009-2013%20Full.pdf Perhaps Costco could be asked to fund road improvements to Ellsworth Road and State Road in the surrounding area as part of the Planning Commission approval process?
Brad
Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 7:49 a.m.
Just say NO to any traffic circles like near the Brighton Costco. I have to go through that frequently, and you take your life into your hands every time. And no, I don't really care that they have them in Europe. Maybe Europeans know how to drive them, but the Livingstonians sure don't.
Trouble
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 9:36 p.m.
Thank you Scio Twp! Thank you Berry Much!
bdonald
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 9:15 p.m.
Wonderful! I won't have to drive all the way to Livonia from Ypsi anymore.
John Q
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 9:10 p.m.
Commercial developments like Costco can't get tax abatements. But it won't make much difference to Pittsfield Township anyway. Costco is a big warehouse. Warehouses don't pay much in property taxes and Pittsfield won't be reaping some windfall if/when Costco is built.
sandyeiler
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 7:02 p.m.
With the given economy each of us can use the opportunity to save money on the products that Costco offers. Wish it had been around when I had seven kids to feed
Frains
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 6:56 p.m.
Why not just take up a community collection and send a few shipping containers full of cash to Costco headquarters in Washington state? That way the community isn't degraded with yet another box that vacuums dollars and transports them out of Michigan. Costco, Wal-mart, take your pick - these are subtractions from civic fabric, dehumanizing to citizens (the Costcos of the world would love us to think of ourselves as "consumers"). Support local independent businesses. Check out Think Local First of Washtenaw County for options. It's easier than most people think to transition off the meth-amphetamine bulk-shopping addition that Costco enables. Ten percent more spent with independents would boost the Michigan economy out of recession. Currently unemployed/under-employed workers spending money at Costco are doing the world a favor by helping open yet another factory in Asia - and if you can't see the direct connection between a job lost here and many more created elsewhere, then you'll probably keep shopping big-box like so many sleep-walking others. Shop local independents, try a farmer's market, then write a check to Washington State for the balance you'd be spending supporting vacuumed money from Michigan and your conscience will rest easily. Or simply write the check to China Inc. and skip the middle-man.
A2Realilty
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 6:26 p.m.
Paula and Ed - Thanks for answering the questions that I and others posed. Your prompt and accurate responses have made this my best experience on AnnArbor.com. Great job.
heresmine
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 6:16 p.m.
With all the discussion about how nice it will be to shop there, don't forget the big benefit of J-O-B-S. Costco is a quality employer that pays a good wage with benefits. They are often critizied by "Wall Street" for doing so. The argument is that lower wages would produce greater returns to the stockholders, but thankfully the current owners don't listen to that sort of reasoning. I personally shop at the store in Brighton because I feel good about doing so, not because the prices are cheaper, which they aren't. Plus, if you go when they are giving away samples of food, you can almost get a meal for free. :)
Kristine
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 5:45 p.m.
Oh, Costco, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up and build that store! :) I'm so happy that this new Costco will have a gas station. I bought gas locally this past Friday and paid a comparatively low price of $2.68/gallon that day. My sister bought gas at Costco in Auburn Hills the next day and paid $2.58/gallon. Oh, Costco, hurry up, hurry up, hurry up. (As noted previously, Costco stores usually don't open until 10 a.m. and generally close by 6 p.m. This should help to alleviate some fears about traffic congestion in the area...)
Urban Sombrero
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 5:22 p.m.
I am thrilled about this! I hope it really does happen. I feel like a hypocrite every time I walk into Sam's (I have issues with WalMart Corp.). Having a Costco so close by will be a breath of fresh air, and a reason for me to cancel my Sam's membership.
michiganexpats.com
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 4:17 p.m.
So excited for Costco in Ann Arbor!
frankweir
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 3:59 p.m.
I agree with 81wolverine. Would be nice to put Costco on that run-down corner where Tyner's/KMart is/was. Also, I bet the entire I-94/State St. interchange will eventually be reworked maybe with traffic circles like they did in Brighton at the Costco there. It'll be tough to come off the east bound I-94 ramp at State and then turn north with the increased traffic. It's hairy as it is now depending on the time of day. But what a great thing for that area of town. Good company; jobs; good competition for Walmart. Should maybe boost Briarwood too which has seen better days.
applehazar
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 3:47 p.m.
We need Costco (more than they need us) Come on Ann Arbor politicians and Pittsfield - don't let us down now! Go Costco
Paula Gardner
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 3:39 p.m.
Just embedded a map at the end of the story. Here's the link, in case anyone prefers that vesion. Tyner Furniture is at the corner of Ellsworth and State. Also, I'm adding this to the story: According to the plans submitted, the store is located at the southeast portion of the parcel, with a 35-foot setback. A detention basin is mapped on the far eastern edge of the property, bordering the Tyner Furniture parcel. Also, parking for the proposed store is shown on the west and north part of the parcel - effectively placing the building close to the road, with the parking "behind" the building to someone approaching from the State/Ellsworth intersection.
A2=:)
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.
I would love to have a Costco in the area!! My one concern is the possibility of increased traffic on South State, south of Ellsworth. I am concerned because road expansion in that area may potentially create hazardous conditions for planes either landing or taking off from the east or west, therefore increasing a potential plane-vehicle accident. From what I have read, the Ann Arbor Airport already has a fairly short runway. A widening of State could negatively impact current runway length by shortening a useable take off and landing strip. We all know the opposition to increasing runway length to the west. I would like to know if there are any future provisions to widen South State, and how that would impact the East-West Runway of the Ann Arbor Airport. i am not a pilot, street or traffic engineer so perhaps my concern is unwarrented. The only solution I could see would be to expand State towards the east, or create an over the road runway like Metro--but I don't think we want to go there.
JW
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 3:21 p.m.
Hey Paula, how about publishing an actual map of what is proposed by Costco--word descriptions are too vague!
Phil
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
I agree traffic on State south of 94 is horrible during rush hour. I'm not sure much can be done short of adding a 3rd land. A dedicated right turn lane at Airport blvd might help provide another release point for Costco traffic.
Paula Gardner
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 2:32 p.m.
I just added this to the story: Meanwhile, no one connected to the store's development has applied for a tax abatement so far, Grewal said by email this afternoon.
Dobsonion
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 2:23 p.m.
I'll be switching from Sam's to Costco, as soon as they open. Nicer store, better selection. However, I'm really concerned about State Street just south of Ellsworth. It's gridlock now during rush hours. They just repaved it, but did not take the opportunity to add 12" extra width beyond the white "fog line" for us bikers. How can State be anything but a bigger problem once Costco opens?
Paula Gardner
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 2:07 p.m.
I'm working on the new restaurant - it is going to be an international restaurant (Asian fusion, I believe) and I have a call into the manager. If I don't get more today, I'll post what I have in a couple of hours. I actually called it "the old Cherry Blossom" today in a conversation - so maybe it's finally losing it's identity as "the old Chi-Chi's" :) And I"m checking on the tax abatement. I haven't heard definitively that it would be a part of this deal.
A22Ypsi
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 1:34 p.m.
The Chi Chi's site will be a sit-down Chinese restaurant operated by the owner of Lucky Kitchen.
A2Realilty
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 1:23 p.m.
Ed and Paula - Looks like we are all giving you assignments today. :) I'd like to know what type of tax abatement is being discussed for the Costco. Ultimately, for me, my enthusiasm for the store is completely based on their contribution to the local economy accomplished by paying their business taxes. Can you find out what type of tax "deals" are typical for Costco in other communities in which they've opened and how it compares to what is being discussed with Pittsfield Township? Also, I'm "thirding" the plea for any information regarding what is going into the Chi-Chi's / Cherry (but for a moment) Blossom store. Personally, I'm crossing my fingers for a PF Chang's. Thanks in advance for any information you can deliver on these questions!
Happy Puppy
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 1:07 p.m.
Way off topic, but since you seem to know what is going on in that part of town - do you know what is going in at the old ChiChi's/Cherry Blossom? Something that will actually make it? Maybe after Costco goes in ChiChi's and the old Great Lakes Shipping Co location will be viable again.
81wolverine
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
This is a good thing for the local economy. But, I liked an idea suggested by someone in a previous article that involved re-developing the entire corner in addition to the industrial park being torn down for the Costco store itself. The Tyner store only uses a small portion of the huge (former K-mart) parking lot and there's a vacant outbuilding that used to be a florist. How about moving Tyner down to the north a little and putting the Costco right on the corner? I don't know if Tyner could afford the move, but with the increased traffic to the location, their business should increase a fair amount. Just an idea.
John of Saline
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 12:40 p.m.
Thanks, Ed! Wonder if the retail guy has any tenants yet.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 12:37 p.m.
I am really looking forward to a local Costco. Driving all the way up to Brighton or Livonia is a bit of a drag.
4 Fingers
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 12:32 p.m.
This is a win win situation. The state street corridor hasn't been that active for at least a decade since A2-Saline road got developed. I'm looking forward to this store opening and stimulating that part of town- and avoiding the drive to the costco in brighton!
WLD1
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 12:29 p.m.
Hopefully Pittsfield doesn't make the same mistake Scio did. I bet there are people that regret that. I Talked to people that lived by the Costco in Brighton they say they hear more noise from the Highway them the store. And The traffic is not that bad.
SalineDoe
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.
You can already see the positive impact in this area, even before Costco submitted a plan. Drove down State Rd yesterday and it looks like the closed Japanese restaurant (former Chi Chi's) is about to reopen as something else. Paula/Ed: Any idea what this new place will be? The new sign is covered up with a tarp that says "Opening Soon." Thought about driving up and peaking under it :-)
sirotan
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 12:12 p.m.
As a Pittsfield Township resident, I'd be glad to see a new business go in on that corner. And hey, at least its not a Walmart.
John of Saline
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 12:06 p.m.
Speaking of gas stations, Paula, any idea what's up at the southeast corner of State and Ellsworth? The Speedway's being knocked down.
a2huron
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 12:04 p.m.
Let's make it happen. This is good for the entire region and will be a catalyst for other good things. Look for a positive impact on property values in this area and beyond. Store doesn't open before 10:00AM on any day, so afternoon traffic is the only issue. Deal Of The Year, if you ask me. Congrats to Pittsfield Twp for nabbing this company and for working to make it a collaborative process rather than an adversarial one. It is the advance planning before the deal is on the table that often makes the difference. The company and the residents know what to expect before it is dumped on them. Good job.
tdw
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 11:58 a.m.
Fortunately Ann Arbor has no say about Pittsfield Twp
boom
Tue, Aug 24, 2010 : 11:38 a.m.
If Ann Arbor is involved, it could be a while.