Get an aerial view of the Kinnickinnic River south of Milwaukee
Take a flight over the Kinnickinnic River from south of Milwaukee to the newly developed Pulaski Park.
- The Franklin Common Council has given its final approval for a Costco store.
- The project includes a 162,000-square-foot retail building and a 12-pump fueling station.
- This would be the first Costco location within Milwaukee County.
The Costco proposal just took a major step forward in Franklin.
The city’s Common Council Nov. 4 gave its final approvals for the project on the northwest corner of Drexel Avenue and 27th Street.
Costco plans to construct a 162,000-square-foot retail building on the 20-acre parcel along with a fueling station with 12 pumps, allowing 24 cars to refuel simultaneously.
At the meeting, Mayor John Nelson called this “a huge, huge, great project for the City of Franklin.”
Specifically, the council approved three items:
- An ordinance to amend the Unified Development Ordinance (zoning map) to rezone the property at 2710 W. Drexel Ave. to a mixed-use business district. This allows for retail uses over 20,000 square feet.
- A resolution imposing conditions and restrictions for a conditional use permit to allow a gas/fueling station on the south end of the property.
- An ordinance to create a planned development overlay. This allows for modifications to Franklin’s unified development ordinance for things like building materials, lighting and other elements.
These items were reviewed in depth by the city’s plan commission on Oct. 23 and are the last approvals required from the council for the project.
What happens now?
Marion Ecks, senior planner for Franklin, said she needs to prepare documents for the city clerk and mayor’s signature which will put these ordinances — and one resolution — into effect.
Ecks said she has the landscaping plan for Costco in her inbox for review which she must confirm meets the requirements of the approved site plan.
Then, Costco can apply for building permits to start construction.
“There may be other reviews that are pending in other departments, but from the point of view of planning’s review we would be complete until I’m inspecting a building prior to occupancy,” Ecks said.
During the Nov. 4 meeting, Nelson made it clear to department heads that if there are any final reviews for Costco, they are top priority, saying the project can’t get “bogged down.”
Costco has ‘aggressive timeline’ for construction, Nelson said
Stephen Cross, real estate development director for Costco, said detailed building drawings are currently being created.
“Ultimately, (we’re) looking to get through the permit process and close perhaps in March of next year and kick off construction late spring, early summer,” Cross said.
Cross said construction will move quickly with 60 days of site work and grading and an additional 130 days to construct the building.
“That’s a pretty aggressive timeline and it’s exciting, and I know the people of Franklin really, really want this because I hear it all the time,” Nelson said.
No stranger to southeastern Wisconsin, Costco has stores in Grafton, Menomonee Falls, Pewaukee, New Berlin and Pleasant Prairie. However, this would be the first Costco in Milwaukee County.
Costco is also working to open a store in Oconomowoc.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.
