Update: Costco reps to visit Warwick to meet with officials

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — The city of Warwick is throwing its name in the hat following the news that Cranston may not be getting a Costco in the near future, and the interest might be mutual.

Warwick City Council President Steve McAllister says Costco is coming next Thursday to meet with Warwick officials.

Last week, ABC 6 News learned a zoning application for the wholesale retailer in Cranston was put on hold.

Warwick City Council President Steve McAllister said people were contacting him all weekend long, anxiously inquiring to see if Costco Wholesale could come to the city.

After McAllister found out the zoning ordinance amendment for the location in Cranston was withdrawn, he got to work and sent an email to corporate on Sunday.

“We’re just looking to get Costco officials to come talk to us here in Warwick,” McAllister said. “We can get the Mayor involved, the planning department involved, maybe the chamber of commerce and say ‘Hey, what are you looking for? and ‘Let’s see if Warwick can be a good fit.'”

Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins said in a statement:

“Warwick is a fine city and I can understand why another community would want to entice a company like Costco. As I was last told, Costco understandably views Cranston as the most desirable community to locate and our city has a reputable developer that would like to partner with Costco. I have a very good relationship with both parties and they appreciate the efforts that I have made to attract Costco to Cranston. I assure you that I will do everything possible to create an environment to make a deal possible that would be prudent for our taxpayers and residents.”

Meanwhile, McAllister said there’s a number of locations that could be a good fit in Warwick, with Bald Hill Road attracting shoppers from all over the area.

“People know if you’re going to that area its because you’re shopping,” McAllister said. “There’s no residents right around there. We’re not looking to put a big commercial place in the middle of a neighborhood, so that could be a good area and a good fit.”

Warwick is still waiting to hear back from Costco on its offer to get officials to check out the city.