Wheaton not ready to say 'no' to Costco

The idea of building a Costco at the former Hubble Middle School property in downtown Wheaton has at least one vocal supporter.

On Thursday night, a member of the city's steering committee charged with recommending a redevelopment plan for the old Hubble property tried to sell other members on why a large retail store could be the right fit for the site.

Neil Pollock said wholesale giant Costco's interest in the property could be "an excellent chance" for Wheaton.

If the project is "done right" with proper planning, Pollock said, it "would be an absolute gift and benefit to the city."

Pollock, who also serves on the city's planning and zoning board, later added: "You've got to remember ... Home Depot got away. We can't let any of that stuff happen anymore."

Pollock's comments came several months after a Costco representative met with city councilmen John Prendiville and Liz Corry to talk about the possibility of constructing a 135,000-square-foot warehouse store on the 22-acre parcel at Naperville and Roosevelt roads. The land belongs to Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200.

In addition to Costco, steering committee members are reviewing three other redevelopment options for the property, including a mixed-use development with townhouses, a specialty grocery store and a fitness center.

But none of the other development options would create as many sales tax dollars as a Costco. After three or four years, the store would generate as much as $3 million annually in sales tax revenue for the city, officials said.

Still, any project that happens at the old Hubble site would need to overcome obstacles, including the fact that 11 acres of the site are in a floodplain.

Even if a Costco could be designed to fit on the 11 acres of higher ground, there are concerns about traffic and the impact on nearby homeowners.

"It can be done nicely, but it's hard getting around the fact that it's a large structure," said Jim Kozik, Wheaton's director of planning and economic development. "The size of the building - also possible traffic issues - have a negative impact in terms of compatibility with the neighborhood."

Phillip Luetkehans, the park district's representative on the steering committee, also questioned whether downtown businesses would benefit from having a Costco nearby.

Luetkehans said he doesn't believe Costco shoppers would patronize downtown shops and restaurants.

"For the families I know that go there, it (Costco) is a destination," he said. "You are going to fill your car up. You are going to buy a ton of stuff because it's all bulk ... and then you go home with it."

While there are questions about big box retail, there's also hesitation about the site only having condominiums and townhouses.

"The current market situation is bad for condos," said Kozik, adding it could be another five years before the demand for new condominium units returns.

As a result, several steering committee members said the panel can't make a recommendation until it knows how long District 200 is willing to wait to sell the property.

While committee member Rosemary Swanson also serves on the District 200 board, she said she couldn't speak for the rest of the school board.

"We have not sat down and discussed what our tolerance is," Swanson said. "Obviously, there is a balance (with) trying to move the property as soon as possible. But at the same time- I just speak for myself - I wouldn't too quickly give up on the idea of a bigger vision for this property."