SANFORD, Fla. – After a new Costco location was announced for Sanford, even more plans for the future site have been revealed, according to county records obtained by News 6.
The records show that the site is planned to open up at Seminole Towne Center, which itself is undergoing a multimillion-dollar redevelopment project.
While Dillard’s, JC Penney and Dick’s Sporting Goods are expected to remain open, other stores at the mall were notified to close up shop earlier this year.
However, News 6 learned from a reliable source at the time that a new Costco location was expected to come to the property.
Once opened, the new Costco location will count itself among over 30 such warehouses across the state — and the eighth in Central Florida alone. The closest warehouse to Sanford requires a drive to Altamonte Springs.
A recent proposal shows that the Costco warehouse could span over 156,000 square feet, making it among the largest of its kind in the Orlando metro area.
Furthermore, the proposal lists out a parking lot capable of accommodating up to 847 vehicles — 830 regular parking spaces and 17 spaces for disabled parking.
A concept map shows that the warehouse is planned to be right by a proposed hotel at the Seminole Towne Center.
In addition, the proposal calls for the construction of “fuel facility” outside the warehouse.
While no official opening date for the Costco has yet been announced, a city official told News 6 back in January that a California Pizza Kitchen, several hotels, a movie theater, and a “chicken concept” developed by Guy Fieri were expected to be brought in.
The Seminole Towne Center was ultimately bought by The Ardent Companies in March for $17 million, with the company planning to include new retail spaces and multifamily housing at the property.
Brady Lessard, Sanford’s director of economic development, highlighted the significance of the redevelopment at the time.
“The scope of this project will amount to the largest retail redevelopment in Seminole County’s history,” Lessard said. “The entire area will once again have a magnificent footprint to live, work, and enjoy visiting.”
The Seminole Towne Center mall first opened in 1995, and in its heyday, it featured anchor stores like Macy’s and Sears. Those have since closed, with the 1.1-million-square-foot mall being left mostly empty in recent months.