Costco Eyes Southeast Tucson Location

Big news for southeast Tucson shoppers: Costco has officially submitted plans to open a brand-new warehouse and fuel station in the rapidly growing Rita Ranch area near Vail. If approved, this would become the fourth Costco in the greater Tucson metro area and bring bulk shopping convenience much closer to home for residents in southeast Tucson. It will also add an estimated 300+ Costco jobs to the area.

Location and Project Details

The proposed Costco would be located at 9748 E. Old Vail Road within the Rita Ranch Commerce Center, spanning approximately 22.35 acres and is located just west of the Houghton Town Center where Walmart and Home Depot are located. The site plan includes both a retail warehouse and a fuel station—a major perk for locals who currently drive to other Costco locations across town.

The project involves consolidating several blocks (Blocks 4 through 8) from the existing Rita Ranch Commerce Center plat to create the necessary footprint. The City of Tucson is currently reviewing pre-application documents (TP-PRE-1025-00211), and a water availability plan (TW-WAV-1025-00200) has already been approved.

Construction Timeline: What to Expect

Here's where things get exciting for eager shoppers: Construction could begin as early as January 2027, with completion targeted for June through September of that same year. That means if all goes according to plan, you could be shopping at this new Costco by late summer or early fall 2027.

The Tucson City Council is considering a sales tax economic development incentive that would provide up to 100% reimbursement of construction sales tax for qualifying project expenses—a move designed to attract the big-box retailer to the area.

Jobs and Economic Impact

This Costco isn't just about convenient shopping—it's also about jobs. The store is expected to employ approximately 173 full-time and 147 part-time workers. Full-time employees would earn an average salary of $55,680, while part-time positions would average around $26,000. That's a significant employment boost for the southeast side of Tucson.

Community Reactions: The Buzz is Real

Local excitement has been building for months, especially on social media. Reddit threads and Facebook groups have been lighting up with speculation about Costco coming to the area. One Reddit user claimed insider knowledge from a relative who's a Costco store manager, saying that Costco's corporate team has been actively scouting sites in both Oro Valley and far southeast Vail.

While anonymous tips should always be taken with a grain of salt, the fact that multiple people across different platforms are talking about it shows genuine community interest. For residents of Rita Ranch, Vail, and surrounding areas who've been making the trek to Costco locations on Grant Road, Northwest Tucson, or the Southwest side near I-10, a nearby location would be a game-changer.

Currently, Costco Tucson has three locations, and a fourth in the fast-growing southeast would help balance retail access across the metro area.

Why This Location Makes Sense

The Rita Ranch and Vail areas have exploded with residential growth over the past decade. Houghton Town Center—located at Houghton and Old Vail Roads—already serves as a community shopping hub with anchors like Walmart, Home Depot, T.J. Maxx, and Ross. Adding a Costco to the mix would further solidify the area as a major retail destination in southeast Tucson.

Plus, the infrastructure is already in place: roads, utilities, and water service are being evaluated and approved, which should smooth the path toward construction.

What's Next?

While architectural and design plans aren't fully finalized yet, the involvement of the City of Tucson's planning department and preliminary approvals suggest this project is real and moving forward. Key next steps include:

• Final approval of pre-application documents by the City of Tucson
• City Council vote on tax incentives to support the project
• Finalization of architectural plans and permitting
• Groundbreaking in early 2027 (if all stays on schedule)

The Bottom Line

Costco is making serious moves toward opening a new warehouse and fuel facility at Old Vail Road in Rita Ranch. While it's still early in the process, the signs are promising: pre-applications are in review, water plans are approved, and construction could start within the next couple of years.

For southeast Tucson residents—especially those in Rita Ranch, Vail, and Corona de Tucson—this means shorter drives, more shopping options, and hundreds of new jobs coming to the community.

Stay tuned: We'll keep tracking this story as it develops and update you with any news from City Council meetings, final approvals, and groundbreaking dates.

Looking for stocking jobs at places like Costco, Walmart, Home Depot or other retailers? Use our job search below to see the latest job postings in the Tucson area.