New Costco under construction off Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A new Costco location is under construction off Colonial Boulevard between Metro and Plantation roads.

Work crews were seen on the 55-acre site for the first time, digging and reviewing blueprints. Costco purchased the lot for $55 million in May.

The new location will be more than 20,000 square feet larger than the existing Cypress Lake Drive location. It will also be closer for shoppers from Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral and Babcock Ranch.

"They need more room and more parking," said John and Julie Boss, Costco shoppers.

Some shoppers said they avoid the Cypress Lake Drive location because of the crowded parking lot. They said they sometimes drive an extra 15 miles to the Gulf Center location just to find easier parking.

"It's stressful. The parking lot is tight, and we find it, you know, hard to get in and out," the Bosses said.

Rose-Marie Ilanes, who lives in Babcock Ranch, said she has been shopping at Costco for nearly 30 years.

"It's been part of the life that's been passed down, and tradition has kept going," Ilanes said.

She said the new location will make shopping trips more convenient.

"Everything's far from where I live," Ilanes said. "Hopefully, parking's not as crazy as this setup. Haven't been too thrilled about this parking setup."

According to the City of Fort Myers Community Development website, four site work and utilities reviews are pending approval. The permits are 48% completed.

"It's just it's nice to have something eventually closer," Ilanes said.

Costco's media representatives said they do not comment on new locations that are more than three months from opening. No opening date has been announced.