The Montgomery County Council is considering a $4 million deal to bring Costco to Westfield Shoppingtown mall in downtown Wheaton, MD. The bulk retail giant would occupy the vacant space that was formerly a Hecht's department store.
What are your thoughts concerning COSTCO coming to Wheaton?
22 comments:
I do think Costco should come to Wheaton. Residents in so many parts of Montgomery County have been denied the low prices and competition that big box stores can provide. I remember the faux outrage about Costco coming to Rockville a while back.
However, I oppose having the taxpayers pay $4 million to Costco. The county council is already going against the longstanding traditions of the county by, for the first time, asking Annapolis if it can spend LESS money on education. This endangers special education, gifted and talented programs, smaller class sizes, and more. As an advocate for the disabled, I can tell you that there are even schools that do not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act - 20 years later!
So we simply cannot afford $4 million dollars at this time.
But I certainly welcome Costco, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. to open more stores in the county. We need them to keep grocery prices affordable. Despite the recession, Delegate Al Carr has proposed a grocery tax of 5 cents per bag. If they pass the Carr Tax... If government is going to make even food shopping more costly for the poor... then we need Costco more than ever!
All of Montgomery County deserves the amenities and savings of big box stores.
If government funds are needed to spur economic growth than this would be a good investment and 4 million seems like a small price to pay for providing such long term benefits. It's hard to believe that this county did not invest in the revitilization of Silver Spring and Bethesda. It is time for the county to step up to the plate and help it's less affluent area. Bring on Costco and while they are at it find a home for Weggmans.
Yes, Costco needs to come to Wheaton and the $4 million being requested from the county is little more than a drop in the bucket when you compare the actual cost of opening Costco. Let's not forget the lost revenue to the county from a mall that is 25% empty, and losing customers as well. The Hectht's building has been empty too long, it is too hard for high schoolers to find employment, and it is time to start doing SOMETHING to address the needs of Wheaton. We've got to start somewhere and this is a win-win all the way around.
Michelle Turner, Wheaton resident for 23 years.
Yes, bring Costco to Wheaton. The mall keeps losing business and it hurts the entire community. Costco would provide jobs and affordable shopping to local families. Great idea!
I would love having a Costco so close, and it would be great to see the vacant Hecht's space put to a good use. I'm sensitive to the concerns of the local small business community, but they fill a different and still-much needed niche. Unlike the Silver Spring redevelopment, it seems that Costco could be a draw to the area as opposed to a replacement for the existing community. Afterall, Wheaton Plaza is an existing entity.
I think its a good idea - we just wrote about this today on our local blog and the gist of it was that the Mom and Pop stores which are very protected are struggling nonetheless. There are too many boarded up shops in Wheaton, and in Westfield currently.
With the economy the way it is I feel Wheaton may have to take advantage of such an opportunity.
http://whatsupwheaton.com/2010/02/03/the-mom-and-pop-stores-of-wheaton/
I don't think Wheaton is a good location for Costco. The long term goals for development in Wheaton should focus on higher density development that encourages more use of public transit and foot traffic from local residents. Reworking the Westfield shopping center is going to be an important part of creating more of a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly place to live and work. I think that adding the Costco at the former Hechts location is more of a "band aid" solution. Yes, it will fill some vacant space at the mall and bring some additional retail jobs to the area, but I don't think it is in line with what long term goals for Wheaton should be. Adding a Costco will encourage more vehicle traffic in an area that is already cloggedw ith cars. Also, putting it at the mall may cause a larger, better overhaul of the entire mall complex to be deferred. I say that there are plenty less dense areas in the county where a Costco makes sense. Putting one in downtown Wheaton just doesn't compute for me.
Yes, please bring Costco and, yes, I support the subsidy. I have lived in Wheaton for 27 years and currently drive to Beltsville for Costco shopping. While there, I make several stops at other stores. I'd prefer to keep that $$$$ in Wheaton.
I support bringing Costco to Wheaton Plaza. Bringing Costco will breath life back into Wheaton Plaza. I have stopped shopping at Wheaton Plaza as over the past 10 years it just continues to decline. We had more services at Wheaton Plaza when I moved here in 1987. It's been very sad watching the decline. There are just too many junk stores!
I would be delighted to see a Costco in that space...bring it on!
Yes, I think Costco is a good idea. The parking seems to be adequate, and the improved entrances to the mall should be able to handle the increased traffic. If it has a gas station though, I hope it will be more efficiently set up than the one in Beltsville! A draw like that should help all the local businesses. I am a small business owner in the area, and anything that brings traffic increase customers for all of us. Stores like Costco and other big box places should be put in urban areas instead of destroying more green or open spaces. I don't know why a subsidy is necessary - I'm sure Costco has plenty of money. But 4 million isn't much in the big picture. I'd rather see some of that go to keep Sligo Creek Golf Course open though! :)
Costco would be a wonderful addition to Wheaton. I would definitely shop there, and rather than taking away from local businesses, I think it would actually draw people to the area. I would rather have Costco here than allow the storefront to continue to sit empty.
yes, yes, yes!
Costco! The answer to struggling Wheaton!
As a 26 year resident and local business owner, i've seen the economic decline that our city of Wheaton has suffered. Costco will definitely draw in more traffic which will essentially put Wheaton "on the map". I do agree that many of the shops/stores/restaurants in Wheaton are trash, but there are more then a handful of Gems that need to be exposed to the rest of the surrounding cities and counties. If it only takes 4 million dollars to bring in an economy-boosting Costco, more customer traffic, and jobs I think it's well worth it. As a business owner, I was always taught that nothing in life comes for free. We have to spend to get what we want. It takes an investment to get a return.
Yes, I think bringing Costco to wheaton is a great idea. I have a membership card at Costco and I have to go to gaithersburg to shop so, I think having a Cotsco in wheaton will be great. I support the subsidy.
I like the idea of bringing Costco to Wheaton to revitalize an empty urban space but am concerned about the adequacy of parking. If you look at the size of the Costco lot in Beltsville, which fills up, and then look at existing parking at Westfield Wheaton, don't you wonder where all of those cars will go? If Westfield Wheaton were more pedestrian friendly that would be one thing. I do not shop at Wheaton Plaza often because of the lack of parking, and the challenges it presents getting in and out of the lot. So Costco - yes! along with more parking.
Absolutely, yes, yes, yes. The Costco's in Gaithersburg is always overcrowded, and Wheaton/Silver Spring would be a perfect place for a Costco - the sooner the better.
Definitely! Those of us near Wheaton presently have a long cross-country slog to either the Gaithersburg or Beltsville stores
Costco at Wheaton may be a good idea but the gas station and its proximity to Kenmont pool, Steven Knolls Elementary School and hundreds of homes are not. The County also has proposed a Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) that will allow gas stations to be built at Wheaton Plaza, Montgomery Mall and White Flint without the necessary zoning steps and environmental studies. Wheaton Plaza needs the ZTA to build the gas station and needs the gas station to get the COSTCO. The many costs - environmental and financial to name a few, are too great.
Yes, yes, Costco in Wheaton is an awesome idea, at least the empty space where Hecht's was, will be a perfect place for it. Please do it soon.
No to COSTCO ... yes to Wegmans or a Whole Foods. I am not interested in seeing the traffic around the Pentagon City and Beltsville replicated here. Having would a warehouse store lowers the prestige of the neighborhood ... sorry.
I support Costco bringing it's discount prices to Westfield/Wheaton Plaza. I also support the $4 million county funding.
I oppose Costco's proposed 16 pump fueling station as part of the package. I'm concerned about the health and welfare of Kensington Heights or for that matter other communities surrounding White Flynt and Montgomery Mall. Placing large amounts of gasoline in underground tanks; near two natural springs, in a mall that also sits at the highest point is not in anyones' best interest. Pay attention to the national news and the larger scale disaster that faces our friends in the Gulf Coast region.
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