Costco Wholesale Plans Next Suburban Portland Location

HILLSBORO, OR-Warehouse merchandiser Costco Wholesale is planning one of its large-format stores here on Northeast 48th Avenue, north of Cornell Road and east of the Hillsboro Airport. The property is zoned general commercial, which allows outright developments like Costco. Construction is scheduled to start in June. The store is expected to open in time for the 2001 Christmas shopping season.

The development is occurring on a portion of a 16-acre field owner by Vancouver, WA-based developer John S. Maring. Plans show about one-fourth of the land set aside for smaller retail pads. The 148,000-sf store will be slightly larger than its other area stores, and will have a separate gas station with 16 pumps covered by a canopy. The gas station will require a conditional use permit from the city’s Planning and Zoning Hearings Board. No hearing date has been set.

Costco sells everything from groceries to office equipment, including clothing, home appliances, auto supplies, hardware, toys, wine and beer. The national chain currently has stores in Northeast Portland, Tigard and Clackamas. In its most recent fiscal year, the company posted sales of $31.6 billion.