Costco seeks to open in East Lansing

A long-awaited Costco may finally be coming to mid-Michigan.

According to a letter from a Costco representative dated May 18, the company is hoping to redevelop the long-shuttered Four Winds Golf Course at 5800 Park Lake Road in East Lansing as "a Costco Wholesale member's only retail warehouse." The project would include an attached tire center and a free-standing gas station, it said.

The letter, signed Theodore R. Johnson and sent to nearby residential property owners, invited them to a public meeting planned for June 2 at the Meridian Township Hall "to discuss this proposal before a formal application will be filed."

Costco representatives will be there to address their proposal and answer questions. Johnson said he plans to attend the meeting, but declined further comment, citing company policy.

The 66.5 acre site near the intersection of Park Lake Road and Saginaw Street is subject to an agreement between East Lansing and Meridian Township which dates back to at least 2001, around the time the golf course closed.

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows said the so-called Section 108 agreement is an economic development tool used among neighboring communities to foster redevelopment, and includes a division of property taxes. Both communities must agree on any rezoning.

"I'm excited about the prospect of Costco being located in this area," Meadows said. "I think it will be a benefit to both East Lansing and Meridian Township."

Meridian Township Trustee Ron Styka said, for the project to go forward, the site needs commercial zoning on more of the site than is currently allowed. Meridian's board will have to pass a resolution to modify the 108 agreement so new zoning can happen, he added.

"My interest has been to make sure Meridian Township families have their quality of life protected as Costco goes in," Styka said. "I'm also interested to see Costco come into the community. It's good for the whole region."

“Costco is the type of retail that Michigan communities strive to attract. We join East Lansing officials in anticipating the roll-out of the proposed Costco site plan," Meridian Township manager Frank Walsh said.

"If approved, this development will be a bulls-eye for the Lansing region."

The Issaquah, Washington-based retailer’s nearest store is in Brighton. Other Michigan locations include Pittsfield, Commerce Township, Grand Rapids, Livonia, Auburn Hills, Bloomfield, Wyoming and Madison Heights.

Contact Dawn Parker at (517) 377-1056 ordlparker@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter at @arwen22266.

If you go

A meeting to discuss a proposed Costco retail warehouse is planned for 6 p.m. June 2 at the Meridian Township Hall, 5151 Marsh Road in Okemos. Costco representatives will attend to address their proposal and answer questions.