JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After years of waiting, Jacksonville's Westside and Clay County residents could soon be getting a Costco.
The store would be located in what's now a wooded area off Collins Road and Interstate 295, but the issue has been a cut-through road. Now the city of Jacksonville is about to deal with it so that the Costco can be built.
At Tuesday evening's meeting, the Jacksonville City Council will take up a bill concerning who will pay for the construction of Parramore Road, which should be able to connect Collins Road with Youngerman Circle, according to Councilman Jim Love.
Shoppers said they're excited that a Costco should be coming in across the street from the new Walmart, where the Collins Road overpass was built.
"About time," one unnamed shopper told News4Jax on Monday. "(It's) too far to go to the other one."
For those not familiar with the whole sale retailer, there's only one in Jacksonville at the St. Johns Town Center on the Southside. When News4Jax stopped by that store Monday morning, it was jam-packed. The one on the Westside would be Jacksonville's second Costco.
Shoppers said the Costco is much-needed.
"All the department stores are helpful around here because I shop every day," the unnamed shopper said.
City officials operating the design told News4Jax that the road accessing Costco, Parramore Road, should cut from Collins Road down to Youngerman Circle to alleviate traffic, which is a growing concern to residents in the area.
"Especially, with Walmart going in," said the shopper, adding that the Costco could double the amount of traffic.
If the legislation passes at Tuesday night's City Council meeting, Love said, Costco will pay for half of the construction of Parramore Road and the city will pick up the other half.
If the bill is approved, Love said he expects groundbreaking within weeks.
"They've been planning this for a long time," Love said.
News4Jax contacted Costco, but a spokesperson said they don't comment on upcoming stores.