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SYRACUSE — A new Costco location could be coming to northern Davis County.
While nothing official has come from the company, Syracuse Mayor Dave Maughan took to Facebook on Tuesday to let people know "all indications are we are going to have a Syracuse Costco."
If it happens, the new store would be the 15th Costco in the Beehive State.
Maughan said in his post there have been rumors around Syracuse for years that the city had drawn interest from Costco and tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to bring the cult-favorite warehouse store to town. Maughan pushed back against the rumors that Costco had an interest in Syracuse, saying the city previously contacted Costco, which then informed Syracuse it was "a long way from meeting their criteria for a store."
Seemingly, that has changed.
"Syracuse Costco is in the works. It isn't done but general terms agreeable to all sides are in place and the city will begin public discussion related to this opportunity," Maughan said.
Maughan began his term in January 2022 and said a promise of his campaign was to increase business development. He noted he's spent hundreds of hours over the last two years to make the city appealing from a business perspective.
He emphasized a Costco in Syracuse would serve as more than another shopping opportunity, but an economic infusion.
"Costco is widely respected as one of the best business partners. I am sure someone will say not in my backyard, but this is no time for 'NIMBYism.' The sacrifices are few compared to the benefit to the entire region and particularly our city," Maughan said. "It will bring tax dollars in from outside the city. This will draw other opportunities we need to diversify our tax base. This is a big win for us all."
Maughan added that while more details will emerge, the plan, according to his post, is for the store to be located south of Antelope Drive and west of 3000 West, near an interchange of the under-construction West Davis Highway, and it's expected to open in the late summer or fall of 2024.
While most seemed to welcome the news, some residents took to the comment section, expressing concerns about the potential location, noting the 130-acre parcel where Costco could be built sits to the west of Syracuse Arts Academy.
"Obviously Costco doesn't take up that much room," Maughan told KSL.com "Some people have said 'Oh my gosh, there's going to be a security problem or a risk to children.' But they don't have that much information yet. ... There's more detail coming to where it actually will be on the property."
He said the city has measured traffic in the area — adding extra crosswalks and crossing guards due to the area's proximity to a highway — to make sure it's safe.
The wholesale giant did not return a request for comment Thursday, but a message on the company's media request form states it "cannot comment on locations that will be opening more than three months from today."
