Costco Eyes Old Army Base for New East Bay Warehouse Store

OAKLAND, CA — An exclusive members-only club is one step closer to becoming a reality in Oakland.

City council members unanimously voted earlier this month to approve a two-year planning agreement that would bring Costco to an old army base in West Oakland. The agreement will cost Costco $300,000 and give the city and the corporation two years to reach a deal to bring a giant warehouse to the army base, according to SFGate.

"Not only does this mean easier bulk shopping, but it also brings 400+ high-quality jobs and $3 million in new annual tax revenue for City services," Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said in a statement Thursday. "Who else is counting down the days?"

The opening of the actual Costco could still be years away, but it would add more options to West Oakland, which has historically been considered a food desert. The closest Costco Warehouses to Oakland are in San Leandro and Richmond.

Costco previously considered building a site in Oakland more than two decades ago, but the deal fell through, according to SFGate.