Mt. Juliet's 'Project Prosper' announced as planned 160K-square-foot Costco

Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
An aerial map that shows the location of a plan to build a new 160,000 square foot retail store in Mt. Juliet.

Costco is coming.

Plans for a new wholesale store have been submitted in Mt. Juliet, seeking approval for a space that's projected at more than 160,000 square feet.

The documents were submitted under the code name Project Prosper.

The location contains nearly 20 acres at the corner of Legacy Pointe Boulevard and Rutland Drive, just off Golden Bear Gateway at the Legacy Pointe @ Golden Bear development, according to planning documents.

The development still has to be approved by the city commission.

An initial plan review was held Thursday at Mt. Juliet's planning commission meeting. Discussion during the meeting confirmed the plan was for Costco. The city also confirmed the plan is for a Costco on its Facebook page.

The planning commission voted to give the plan for the membership store a positive recommendation with conditions.

Costco representatives estimated the new store would bring 275 jobs to Wilson County during a presentation to the planning commission.

“We know that there has been a strong interest from our citizens in this store," was part of a statement by Mt. Juliet Mayor James Maness. "I am positive that Costco will expand our retail base, bringing new customers to Mt. Juliet who will shop elsewhere while they are in town."

An in-home delivery facility, estimated at about 35,000 square feet, 12 fuel pumps to serve 24 vehicles and more than 800 parking spaces are also part of the plan, though the details could still change during the approval process.

Initial recommendations include:

  • A eastbound right-turn deceleration lane on Golden Bear Gateway at Legacy Pointe Boulevard.

  • To widen Rutland Drive to a three-lane section from Legacy Pointe Boulevard to the western mostaccess point.

Sidewalk and street lighting are also considered in the plan. And Planning Director Jennifer Hamblen told planning commissioners the city has requested "robust landscaping" as well.

Additional brick has been added to the building plans, according to discussion at the planning commission meeting.

Last year, Hendersonville approved a plan that would lead to a new Costco store. The facility is expected to include just over 156,000 square feet of space near TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center off New Shackle Island and Forest Retreat roads.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mt. Juliet says Costco is behind plan submitted to build new store