Tim Aten Knows: Costco proposed on Collier Blvd.

Q: I’ve heard a rumor that a Costco is coming somewhere in the area of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock. Is that true? —Maria Marina, Naples  

Q: Do you know which restaurant is coming to Hammock Park on Collier and Rattlesnake? —Ana Purdom, Naples 

Q: Lots going on at the corner of Collier and Rattlesnake. Any idea when the 7-Eleven or First Watch or Royal Scoop will open? —Bradley Gimbel, Naples 

A: The announcement of a new Costco Wholesale store coming to Collier County is not ready for prime time because the proposed project is still in the early planning stages, but so many readers have been asking about it that the topic cannot be ignored. 

“The proposed project is a retail development, with commercial sales of groceries, merchandise and on-site sale of gasoline and alcohol. The existing forested site will be developed with the primary commercial building, gas station, associated parking and utilities,” according to information from public records regarding a Jan. 30 pre-application meeting for the project that applicant Hacienda Lakes of Naples LLC had with the Collier County Growth Management Department. Additional activity has not been recorded yet. 

The pre-app does not mention Costco, but “Project name Costco” appears on attached correspondence with county administrators. The square footage for the proposed big box store and the addition of fuel pumps fits plans for a Costco membership warehouse. 

Hacienda Lakes of Naples Tract G

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Publix Supermarket at Naples Lakes on the northwest corner of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road is kitty-corner from the proposed Costco. If developed, Costco’s gas pumps would be directly across the street from a new 7-Eleven gas station and convenience store on the northeast corner of that intersection, while a RaceTrac station and store are on the southwest corner.

Folks who have been around a while undoubtedly will remain skeptical until Costco opens. After all, BJ’s Wholesale Club had plans years ago to land in the steel-framed structure that ended up being an Amazon last-mile delivery station at Davis Boulevard and Collier Boulevard; Sam’s Club formerly had planned to launch another area store at Courthouse Shadows, where Marea Apartments are today in East Naples; and Target previously had set its sights on a couple of sites along Collier Boulevard that didn’t end up panning out. 

The address for the Costco project applicant is affiliated with FL Star Development LLC, the Naples-based company that originally proposed and developed the Hacienda Lakes mixed-use planned unit development near the intersection of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road. FL Star representatives could not be reached for comment. 

Across Rattlesnake Hammock Road to the north, FL Star Development already is working on multiple projects: the 2,200-home Hacienda Lakes development, the Hammock Park Apartments with 265 luxury units and the Hammock Park retail center.  

First Watch, an American daytime cafe, will anchor the northern end of the center in a 5,047-square-foot unit with outdoor dining space. It will be the seventh location in Collier County for the Bradenton-based restaurant chain. 

“The center is designed to complement our new Hammock Park Apartments, providing residents within the community and the surrounding neighborhoods with the convenience of upscale retail shops nearby,” said Gary Hains of FL Star in an earlier news release. 

By the way, the 7-Eleven, which appears to have been completed and ready to open for months on that corner, is tentatively targeted to open in April. The store has reportedly faced the same kind of internet issues that delayed the launch of the 7-Eleven at Founders Square for months last year.  

The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.