Costco files plan to open new store on Aurora Avenue

SEATTLE — Attention, Costco shoppers! Costco could be taking over the site of the old Sam’s Club off of Aurora Avenue in North Seattle.

The Western Washington company filed paperwork with the city to lease the property, and that has some neighbors excited.

“It will be nice to have less vacant lots,” says Oliver Klobas who has lived in the area for 30 years.

He and others nearby say ever since the Sam’s Club left, the problems began.

First the squatters and now there is trash in and around the property and a homeless encampment set up on the side of the property.

“I try not to go by,” says Karl Stephers. “It’s not particularly appealing for kids, for the neighbors. I mean the closer you live the more you see the consequences.”

The lease application outlines some of the plans by Costco, which show the company would be investing roughly $10 million into the existing site..

If approved, this would be the second Costco in Seattle and just about three miles south from another store in Shoreline.

While some families are concerned the new store could bring more traffic to the area, they are more hopeful it would push out the problems that make them feel uneasy.

“I mean there’s always hope, says Klobas. “But, I mean we’ll see when it happens.”

See also King 5 article with Aurora Reimagined Coalition comments.