Maybe.
A new BJ's Wholesale Club store is proposed in Lansing, according to the Ithaca Journal. The 82,000 square foot project will be located near the Shops at Ithaca mall, adjacent to the existing Target and YMCA. The plan also includes 12 senior housing units and bird habitat.
In response to an Ithaca's Food Web inquiry to BJs itself, the company responded: "BJ's Wholesale Club does not confirm on news related to the developmentof any probable locations."
Update March 2011: The developer proposing this project has submitted a revised request to the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency, with a vote scheduled for Monday, 3/21/2011. According to the Lansing Star, developers seek a payment-in-lieu-of-tax financing agreement to support some project costs related to development of the senior housing and wetland development, which are required by the Village of Lansing. At least one member of the IDA supports the revised proposal, especially considering economic challenges the County expects in the future and the tax revenue expected from retail sales. Read more here.
Just what Ithaca needs! Another giant, square box on what used to be open space.
ReplyDeleteWell, they are planning a bird habitat :) Since BJ's couldn't confirm that the project will go forward, I guess we'll have to wait and see.
ReplyDeleteI think its great if bjs comes to the Ithaca area. Maybe it would cause other stores to lower there prices. Not to mention that bjs has gas stations and they are much lower in price then other gas stations. In this economy ill save any way I can and bjs certainly would help!
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, this project is still up in the air -- not sure if it'll go through.
ReplyDeleteAny Other updates? It would be great to have a place local to buy more bulk foods. Maybe it will help force the local food stores to reduce their prices. We pay so much more for living where we do.
ReplyDeleteI think BJ's is a wonderful store. You can get big cost savings because you buy bulk and split it up and freeze it, or share it and it makes you grocery dollars go farther.
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