Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - Over the last couple of years, officials in Amherst have worked feverishly to bring a Costco Wholesale center to the town, with the hopes of being open sometime in the first half of 2026.
Back in early May, the Town of Amherst completed its review for Costco's building permit application, clearing the path for the permit to be issued. Construction for the first Costco in Western New York will cost an estimated $22.5 million.
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Deputy town supervisor Shawn Lavin, who's also running to replace Brian Kulpa as Amherst Town Supervisor this fall, says everything continues to remain on track for Costco to open come Spring of 2026.
Next door to the Costco along North Bailey Avenue will be a new Dicks's Sporting Goods store, which is already under construction on site. While construction of Costco has yet to commence, Lavin is confident that it won't take long for the facility to go up.
"If you think about it, is really just a giant barn. It's just a giant warehouse. So the construction is not the same requirements that Dick's has, it's going to go up a lot faster," said Lavin while joining Joe Beamer on WBEN on Monday. "And really, it comes down to the training of the employees and the housing of all the retail goods. So Costco and Dick's are still slated for the Spring of [2026]."
Lavin understands some of the frustrations that have surrounded the Costco project and the timing of getting the popular retailer up-and-running in Amherst. However, Lavin feels with a project such as this, if you're going to do it, you've got to do it right.
That also includes figuring out traffic patterns near the site, and ensuring people can navigate that part of town effectively.
"We're gonna do everything we can to mitigate the traffic," Lavin said. "They've lined up the driveways for the entrance of Dick's, and where you come out of Trader Joe's right there. We've looked at extending North Bailey to make a turning lane and add smart traffic signals. I acknowledge the traffic is an issue, but we are doing everything we can, at a town level, to make that easier for people to shop."
Lavin adds he believes there is set to be an exit point to the Costco/Dick's facility off Meyer Road between North Bailey Avenue and Bowmart Parkway.