Costco submits construction plans, showing it plans to proceed

7/20/2014

Costco submitted its construction plans to Perrysburg late last week, indicating it plans to move forward to build a 154,300 square foot store at the southeast corner of Eckel Junction Road and State Rt. 25. 

The plans are being reviewed by city administrators for approval. Brody Walters, city planning and zoning administrator, said the review may take a few weeks but, if approved, a zoning permit would be issued.

Costco would then take the city‘‍s zoning permit to the Wood County Building Inspection to get a building permit. There have been no demolition permits acquired yet by Costco to remove the existing buildings on its 28-acre site, but Mr. Walters said it wouldn’t t take long to process such a request.  

Homeowners on Eckel Junction Road waiting to sell the land to Costco have said the retailer’s fourth and final option to buy will run out Aug. 16. Costco and Columbia Gas Transmissions for months have been in negotiations about possibly moving the pipeline that runs underground across the property.

Ted Johnson, representing Costco, said last week that the company’s goal is to open the store in the fall of 2015. Despite the delays in getting the gas line rerouting approval, he said the timetable is “still doable.” There is no specific schedule yet for construction, he said. If the gas pipeline is to be rerouted, federal approval is needed, and that permit request has not been made. Typically it takes a year to 18 months for such a permit review and action.

All city council approvals needed for the project have been made.

Costco’‍s construction plans include a 16-pump gas station and 720 parking spaces. The whole project includes two outlots along Eckel Junction that could be a fast-food restaurant and a bank.