ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer says discussions about bringing a Costco store to the area are moving forward again after meeting with company representatives last week.
In a social media post Thursday, Manheimer said she recently met with Costco officials to discuss plans for a proposed store in the Enka/Candler area, calling the project a potential way to increase access to affordable groceries for local residents.
“Projects like this can help increase access to affordable groceries, which is especially important as many families are feeling the impacts of rising costs,” Manheimer wrote.
While emphasizing that the project has not yet been finalized, the mayor said she is encouraged by recent developments.
“There is still work to do and the project is not yet a done deal, but I’m encouraged that discussions are moving forward and that the project is back on track,” she wrote.
Manheimer said she plans to continue working with city staff, state transportation officials and Costco representatives as negotiations continue.
The proposed Costco development would be located in the Enka Commerce Park area west of Asheville. Plans call for a 160,000-square-foot warehouse store, a 32-pump fuel station and a tire center on nearly 40 acres near Enka Heritage Parkway and Sand Hill Road.
The project appeared to be in jeopardy earlier this year after Costco withdrew its development application. City officials said the retailer cited rising costs associated with infrastructure improvements, transportation requirements and project timelines.
Since then, local and state leaders have worked to revive the proposal.
In March, Asheville City Council member Sage Turner said discussions involving city officials, the property owner, the N.C. Department of Transportation and Costco representatives had resumed. Turner said several meetings and renegotiations were underway to identify potential solutions to the project’s cost challenges.
Council member Bo Hess has also publicly supported efforts to bring the retailer to Asheville. Earlier this year, Hess said he had spoken with Costco representatives and was working with local and state officials to restart negotiations.
Supporters of the project say a Costco store could create jobs, increase retail competition and provide additional shopping options for residents.
No timeline has been announced for when a revised proposal could return to the city’s development review process.