Middleton: If you've driven on the beltline in Middleton recently you've probably been watching the construction boom out there. It was all swamps and fields just a few years ago, but now local developers hope a few more stores can make this the new shopping hub.
The cranes just seem to move from one location to another in the Discovery Springs area of Middleton, and John Livesey hopes they move to the west next year. "The Costco would be just north of the County Inn and Suites."
Livesey is the man developing this hot piece of property just west of the beltline. His next big catch for the area may be a Costco, a big box wholesaler comparable to Sam's Club with the kind of savings that may draw customers from outside the county.
It's not a done deal, but Livesey is optimistic Costco will come and bring with it lots of shoppers. "It's a regional draw and certainly will bring more consumers to the Middleton market, which will help restaurants. It will certainly help Greenway Station."
Van Nutt is the director of the Middleton Chamber of Commerce. He says the biggest benefactor may be the nearby Greenway Station, but he thinks instead of stealing shoppers from places like Hilldale and West Towne Mall it could actually increase their business as well. "There may be some competition, but the reality is if you get enough of it and you're going to draw people from a larger area. We see people from Dubuque, LaCrosse, and Milwaukee at Greenway Station. You know they're making other stops within the greater Madison area."
Livesey agrees that a Costco will complement the entire region. "I think the pie can get larger and therefore doesn't hurt people as much as if it was more of a localized retailer."
"It's the old high tide raises all ships. It's really good for everybody," says Nutt.
Costco coming to Middleton isn't a done deal. The developer is asking the City of Middleton for $2 million in tax incremental financing to help improve the soil on the building site.
That needs to be approved by the Middleton City Council.
