SANFORD, Fla. – Sanford is in the next step in the process of redeveloping the former Macy’s site at Seminole Towne Center into a new Costco and additional retail space.
The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission is held a public hearing Thursday to discuss rezoning 40 acres of the shopping center. The redevelopment will include a 156,454-square-foot Costco, a liquor store, a tire service department, and gas pumps.
In October, Sanford’s director of economic development called this project the biggest in Seminole County history. The plan to tear down the old Macy’s and build the Costco has residents eager for change.
“It’s a very much a dead area,” Krystal Williams, a Sanford resident, said. “I’m happy that they’re putting something new there.”
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The new Costco is expected to be one of the largest in Central Florida, with nearly 850 parking spaces parking which shoppers tell News 6 will be a welcome improvement.
“I think it’s great. It’s more parking, so it makes it easier for older people and to have more handicapped parking because that’s always a challenge around here,” Phyllis Mobley said.
Parking was a major topic of discussion during Thursday’s public hearing, as representatives from Ardent Companies, the owners of the former Macy’s, and representatives from Costco shared why they feel the parking lot size is necessary, despite it being much more than what the city would normally permit.
“None of us have ever gone to Costco and thought there was too much parking, right?” Ardent Companies representative Rebecca Wilson said.
Costco representatives told the commission the 850 spaces are needed to comfortably accommodate all their employees and customers, but some commission members are not so sure.
“This is part of a shopping mall, a huge mall with thousands of parking spaces, and now we’re being asked to increase these parking spaces. I’m still trying to wrap my head around that,” Commission member Daniel Matthews said. “I think there are plenty.”
Residents had the chance to share their thoughts on the project. Sanford resident Mary Snipes told the commission she is on board with bringing the wholesale store to the city.
“I love Costco,” she said. “I leave Sanford and go to Costco in Altamonte; I have lunch there. I spend money there. I’d love to bring my money back to Sanford.”
While many support the addition of the store, some residents expressed concerns about the inclusion of apartments in the master plan.
“I’m very interested on what they’re going to put there, just not hopefully in more apartments,” Williams said. “That’s the only thing I don’t care for too much. But other than that I’m looking forward to the new things they bring in, especially more jobs for people.”
The redevelopment plans do include a nearby apartment building with 300 units. Residents hope the Costco will also attract more restaurants to the area.
“Unfortunately, some of our places have gone out of business that were good at one time just went under bad management and the economy went bad. So bring more things, more new things,” Mobley said.
The city says once the project is completed, the property will be valued at $700 million. The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold another public hearing on the project on Jan. 8. If they approve the rezoning, it will go to the City Commission for a vote.