Sheldon S. Shafer

Louisville Courier Journal

The last hurdle to construction of the long-awaited Costco store at the former site of Showcase Cinemas in the 3400 block of Bardstown Road has been cleared, allowing for the start of work on the project.

The city issued a building permit last week that estimates the cost of construction of the 164,000-square-foot Costco at $11 million. It issued a separate permit to build a fueling station, which is estimated to cost $1.4 million.

Louisville Metro Councilman Pat Mulvihill, a Democrat whose 10th District includes the Bardstown Road site, said the city "has issued all necessary permits to allow Costco to begin construction of a new facility."

“This is great news for the residents of District 10 and the entire community....," he added. "This venture will be a catalyst for continued economic development in this part of the Bardstown Road corridor. This transformational project will help the Bon Air and Bashford Manor area to become the destination it once was.”

Costco closed on the purchase of the 19-acre site last December from Playa Plaza headed by developer Mark Blieden for $5 million, according to Jefferson property valuation office records. The Metro Council approved needed zoning for the store last year. It is planned just outside the Watterson Expressway.

Costco intends to build a warehouse-style stor, along with an optical shop, liquor outlet, tire center and free-standing fueling station. The site plan shows 636 parking spaces. The permit lists the contractor as Gray Construction of Versailles.

A Chick-fil-A restaurant is planned along Bardstown on a lot next to the Costco.

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It will be the second local Costco; there is currently one at 5020 Norton Healthcare Blvd. in far eastern Jefferson County.

National Amusements, which closed the cinemas a decade ago, sold the property for $3.3 million to Playa Plaza in 2014. The 6,000-seat theater complex closed in 2004 after operating for around 40 years.

It was razed several years later, with the property subsequently sometimes used as a temporary vehicle storage lot.

Reporter Sheldon S. Shafer can be reached at (502) 582-7089, or via email at sshafer@courier-journal.com.