Costco Resurfaces Its Plans for Asheville Location with New Proposal
After shelving its previous application, Costco is once again pursuing the establishment of a new store in Asheville. The wholesale giant submitted a fresh proposal for a 166,000 square foot establishment at Enka Commerce Park, featuring a 32-pump gas station, a tire center, and over 900 parking slots.
Costco’s interest in an Asheville location has been a long-standing topic, with locals eagerly anticipating the store’s arrival in Western North Carolina. Initial plans were unveiled towards the end of 2025, fueling excitement among residents. However, earlier this year, the project faced setbacks, leading Costco to withdraw its application due to issues related to scope, timeline, and budget.
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer expressed disappointment over the initial withdrawal, describing it as a “tragedy.” In response, she, along with city council members Kim Roney, Bo Hess, and Sage Turner, re-engaged in discussions with the retailer.
One significant hurdle was the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s suggested road modifications, which were estimated to cost over $500,000. Furthermore, the city requested enhancements to the site’s stormwater management plan due to its history as an industrial site with potential soil contamination.
The new proposal introduces changes in stormwater handling, routing runoff to a pond and employing underground systems with liners to prevent water from affecting possibly contaminated soil. Additionally, the entrance from Sand Hill Road is redesigned to a private two-lane road, and the gas station’s location is adjusted southward. These changes add 75 parking spaces, bringing the total to 914.
A traffic analysis for the updated plan indicates that the store could generate an additional 12,000 daily vehicle trips across 15 nearby intersections. Before proceeding, the proposal requires approval from the city’s planning department and a conditional zoning endorsement by the Asheville City Council.
The design will be reviewed by the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission on October 7, with a council vote scheduled for October 13.
