Oakland takes a first step toward a Costco on the old Army Base

Oakland
Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting
June 23, 2026

TL;DR

• Oakland took a first step toward exclusive talks with Costco for a store on the old Army Base. The full council votes July 7.
• The committee also sent next year's federal housing plan to council, accepting up to $14,674,799.07 for local programs.
• A long-stalled West Oakland project at 319 Chester Street would shift to affordable rentals, backed by a $1,494,000 city loan.
• Yearly fees in eight business districts that fund cleaning and safety would rise 3% to 5%, depending on the district.

What happened

1. Oakland moves toward a Costco on a long-vacant city site
   1. Oakland took a first step toward bringing a Costco to a long-empty city site on the old Army Base. The committee voted to let the City Administrator negotiate only with Costco over a store at 101 Admiral Robert Toney Way and 2308 Wake Avenue. Costco would pay the city $300,000, which is non-refundable, for a 24-month exclusive window, plus $25,000 for each of two possible six-month extensions.
   2. The committee approved it 4-0 and sent it to the full council on consent, meaning council can clear it in a batch without separate debate. The full council votes July 7. The agreement only opens negotiations: Costco would still design the store, complete state environmental review, and return to council for a binding lease. The roughly 23-acre site carries soil contamination from its military years, which staff said would be handled during that review.
1. What this means for you: Nothing is built yet. The vote opens a window of up to two years, and only later would the council decide whether a Costco gets built. Staff estimate around 400 jobs and roughly $3 million a year in city tax revenue if it does, though no store has been designed.