One of the largest retailers in the country has just opened its doors in Rochester. Costco is one of the anchors of a new development near Brighton.
The opening of the store off Westfall and East Henrietta Roads comes after years of planning and demolition of buildings at the former Monroe County Iola campus.
It is the first business to open at the CityGate project , and the store itself, according to Mayor Lovely Warren, will create some good paying jobs.
"150 jobs, this is just the beginning at this site, we expect more permanent jobs and full time jobs to come here and that's very, very important."
There were some government incentives for this project, but Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks says it’s a good investment for a number of reasons.
"This was a site that wasn't generating any taxes, when it's fully built out, it will generate, I think the figure is, $85 million in taxes a year. That's significant, not to mention the number of people that will be employed here, these are good paying jobs, with health benefits."
Developer of CityGate, Anthony J. Costello, says this is just the start of a project that will eventually involve a lot more activity.
"We're off and running, we'll be adding 310 apartments and another 150-thousand square feet of retail; a hotel, and many other things on the 45 acre site."
Costello says the entire project should take about 4 to 6 years to complete.
