Costco to open another SoCal location – but some residents grumble its ‘not necessary’

A Southern California city is preparing to welcome a new retail addition, though not everyone is too thrilled about it.

The Downey City Council recently approved the development of a brand new Costco warehouse and gas station which will be located on Firestone Blvd., via The Downey Patriot.

Horacio Ortiz Jr., the city’s Mayor Pro Tem, shared the news of the City Council’s approval of the project on his Instagram, though many of his constituents pushed back at this idea.

Ortiz Jr.’s post said that the investment in this Costco project, “will create hundreds of jobs, generate new revenue for essential city services, and strengthen our city’s future.”

Still, many Instagram users, including one dubbed mustygus, questioned the necessity for this new Costco when there was another close by.

“Do y’all really need a Costco when the one at Norwalk is a 15 minute drive away?” the social media user said, a sentiment that was echoed by many others.

“Unless the Norwalk location is closing, this is unnecessary,” added roots_rock_mcbay, while hijodefede added, “We want a Trader Joe’s not another Costco.”

Still, others welcomed the development, since the parking at the Norwalk Costco was described as “horrendous” since they renovated the parking lot.

“Everyone crying about the Norwalk one being ’15’ mins clearly doesn’t go to the Norwalk one parking is horrendous there,” said Instagram user stopreadingthis___.

Another user dubbed your_lender_ricardo added, “That Norwalk Costco has been a nightmare since they redid the parking lot.. I always drive a bit more and go to Lakewood location.. happy to welcome one to Downey.”

The Downey Patriot reported in June that the city’s funding agreement for this project would cost $10.5 million, and would involve multiple parties in a two-step plan.

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The agreement includes the Costco Wholesale Corp., Downey Nissan, Andrews Rancho del Norte and Andrews Rancho del Sur.

The first part of the plan would relocate Downey Nissan to a new site on Firestone Blvd., onto a parcel owned by Andrews Rancho del Sur.

The second part of the plan would be the construction of the new warehouse and gas station on land that spanned two separate lots.

The Costco would be built on a 13.59-acre lot that’s comprised of the vacant lot that was the former home of All American Home Center lot and the existing Downey Nissan dealership property, both of which are owned by Andrews Rancho del Norte.

The new Costco is still a long way from opening its doors though.

Now that the project was approved by the Downey City Council, it must go through a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and entitlement process that will take between 10 and 12 months.

Then the Downey Nissan would need to be constructed, which is expected to take another year, and once that has been done, the construction of the Costco warehouse and gas station is expected to take yet another year as well.