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The construction of the first Costco Wholesale store in the Capital District, in Guilderland, is expected to begin as early as 2025. The project, which has been delayed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple lawsuits, is now moving forward as Crossgates Releasco LLC prepares to take possession of the streets surrounding the planned store location. Once the streets are acquired, the company can begin demolishing the abandoned houses in the area to make way for the 160,000-square-foot Costco store.
The Guilderland Industrial Development Agency (IDA) granted an additional $55,000 tax exemption to the developers of the Costco store, which is planned to be located next to the Crossgates Mall. This exemption is in addition to a $75,000 exemption to the mortgage tax that was granted to the company in 2023, and $2.12 million worth of sales and use tax exemptions for the project according to the Times Union.
The project has faced opposition from local residents who have raised concerns about increased traffic and potential environmental impacts. However, all lawsuits challenging the plans have been dismissed, paving the way for the project to proceed. The latest court decision came in June at the state Supreme Court Appellate Division, which ruled unanimously in favor of the Guilderland IDA over the condemnation of roads and deed restrictions needed to prep the site for the store and gasoline pumps as reported by the Albany Business Review.