Letter to Costco from Mayor Manheimer

Dear Costco Development Team,

I was disappointed to learn of your decision to withdraw the application for the proposed Costco development in Asheville. I am writing to personally invite Costco to re-engage with the City of Asheville so that we may work together to move this important project forward.

Monday, I convened a meeting with the property sellers, Enka Samet, LLC and Fletcher Partners, Inc., along with representatives from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and City of Asheville planning staff. That discussion was productive and solution-oriented, and it made clear that there is a viable path forward to address outstanding transportation and site considerations.

Because this proposal is a conditional zoning application, Asheville City Council ultimately has the final decision-making authority regarding those elements within the City’s control. We would welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with Costco to bring this project across the finish line in a way that meets the company’s operational needs while supporting the community’s long-term growth objectives.

Costco is an important potential community partner for Asheville. The project represents a significant investment that would bring quality jobs to our region while also providing access to affordable groceries and household goods for our residents. Expanding access to affordably priced food options remains an important priority for families in Asheville, and Costco’s presence would serve residents throughout Western North Carolina.

In parallel, I am working closely with local elected officials, state legislators and the NCDOT to identify funding opportunities that would enable additional improvements to the Smoky Park Highway corridor at the I-40 interchange. These infrastructure investments are not solely tied to the Costco proposal but are essential to supporting broader development already underway along Smoky Park Highway, including an Aldi grocery store, the potential for a Harris Teeter, new medical facilities, and planned multifamily housing. 

Ensuring that transportation infrastructure keeps pace with this growth is a shared priority among city, regional, and state leadership. Additionally, the City of Asheville will be applying for a grant from the NC Department of Commerce to extend much-needed sewer infrastructure in the area. Continued collaboration is essential to reinforce the regional importance of coordinated infrastructure planning and to advance solutions that support responsible economic development.

I want to acknowledge candidly that I understood the project to be progressing constructively at the staff level, both within the City and with NCDOT, and I was not aware that additional political coordination or executive-level engagement was needed. Had that been made clear earlier, I would have welcomed the opportunity to become involved sooner to help remove obstacles and align partners.

Costco represents the kind of high-quality investment and long-term partnership that Asheville values. We remain committed to working proactively with you to resolve remaining challenges and to support a successful outcome.

I respectfully ask that Costco reconsider its withdrawal and allow us the opportunity to re-engage directly. I stand ready to again meet with your team at your earliest convenience to review next steps and confirm a coordinated path forward.

Thank you for your consideration, and I hope we can continue this partnership.

Sincerely,