Is Costco coming to Oakland?

"Councilmember Carroll Fife has introduced a resolution to potentially negotiate with Costco Wholesale Corporation and a developer called Deca Companies. The goal is to develop a store in the North Gateway parcel of the former Oakland Army Base. This item was mentioned on the City Council's Rules Committee agenda this week and could be scheduled for a discussion at a council meeting in December. The resolution would authorize the City Administrator to negotiate terms for an exclusive negotiating agreement."

"Details about the proposal are scarce, but a big box store could be a major economic boost for the city, which has lost other large retail in recent years. Costco, which currently operates stores in Richmond and San Leandro, did not immediately respond to an inquiry about the proposal. Deca and its lobbyist, Isaac Kos-Read, also did not immediately respond to interview requests. We could not immediately reach Fife."

"The plan appears to represent a change of direction for Fife, who's long pushed for the city to establish homeless housing at the army base. In 2022, she argued for setting up an emergency shelter for up to 1,000 residents at the property. City strongly disagreed with the idea, explaining that residential uses were prohibited when the U.S. Army gave Oakland possession of the base due to environmental hazards, and said remediating those conditions would be expensive."

Oakland may pursue a deal with Costco Wholesale Corporation and developer Deca Companies to build a store on the North Gateway parcel of the former Oakland Army Base. Councilmember Carroll Fife introduced a resolution to authorize the City Administrator to negotiate an exclusive negotiating agreement. The item appeared on the City Council Rules Committee agenda and could be scheduled for December. Details are limited; Costco, Deca, lobbyist Isaac Kos-Read, and Fife did not immediately respond to inquiries. The city ended a lease and development agreement with California Waste Solutions in July. The proposal signals a possible shift from earlier calls for homeless housing because residential uses are restricted due to environmental hazards and remediation costs.

Read at The Oaklandside