Retailer building first warehouse discount store inside the loop

(8/13/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- One of Houston's busiest intersections is about to get a little more congested. A discount value retailer will soon be moving in -- but that wasn't the original plan.

Developers of a new Costco store are hoping -- to borrow a line from "Field of Dreams" -- if you build it, they will come. Perhaps you've noticed the construction at Weslayan and Richmond. It's where HISD administration headquarters used to be.

When built the Costco will be the first large warehouse store inside the loop. Some are thrilled, but others have their concerns.

By this time next year, the 24 acre site should be covered with a huge Costco store, a health club and several other stores. It is not what the developer first planned to build, but most people who live around here believe it is just what the area needs.

If all goes as planned, the flurry of building on this construction site in several months will transform into flurry of shopping. It will be the Houston area's third Costco store and the first warehouse store located inside the loop.

An LA Fitness will sit on top and an apartment will be located at the back. All of it replaces the Houston school district's old office.

"I like it," said homeowner John Meyer. "I think it will be very good. It's a good company. I'm in favor of that."

Most future neighbors of the mega retailer we found are in favor of its construction. A handful of others have concerns.

Homeowner Harriet Howard said, "I think it will bring a lot of traffic, but in the long run I think it will bring a lot of commerce to the area. So that's probably a good thing."

According to the Trammell Crow Company, the amount of traffic will be about the same as when HISD was there. The city made the developer study exactly what the impact on traffic will be. The developer must build new turning lanes both on Weslayan and Richmond before the store opens and make sure there is adequate parking for all of the customers.

When Trammell Crow first bought the property they initially studied a mixed residential/retail project.

Craig Cheney with Trammell Crow explained, "(We) found that there just wasn't demand on the part of those types of retailers for this location."

Now the developer is committed to bringing Costco into the heart of Houston and making most of their neighbors happy. And here's a little something that might give a sense of just how much business this store will do. According to the developer, once this store is up and running it will beat out every other store including those in the Galleria for dollar volume sales.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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