WEST BOUNTIFUL — A controversial project turned into a popular shopping destination Tuesday as residents flocked to a new Costco warehouse in West Bountiful.

The 136,000-square-foot warehouse opened for business at 8 a.m. Tuesday. By 11 a.m., the parking lot was full and aisles inside were jammed with shopping carts. Small children pointed to toys — possible Christmas presents — and couples tasted free food samples.

"This is wonderful," said Louise Walker of Bountiful. "I'm glad it's out here. We always had to drive into Salt Lake to the one on 1300 South."

Krista Sieger of Layton said the store is easier to access than other Costco locations. Before the West Bountiful store was built, Davis County residents had to travel to Salt Lake City or Ogden to shop at Costco, anywhere from 10 to 20 miles away.

"We were waiting for this to open," she said.

Construction of the store began this summer and required the demolition of several local businesses, including the El Matador Restaurant and the All Seasons Pool Store. All of the demolished businesses — located between I-15 and 500 West, and 400 North and 200 South — received funds for relocation.

The project came under scrutiny because the city approved it as a redevelopment agency project. RDAs allow for tax increment generated on a project site to go back toward that project — not to groups like the school district that would normally receive the tax dollars.

While watchdog groups claimed the Costco project was a misuse of RDA dollars, city officials said it was appropriate. The Costco project was designed to fix an area that was developed "piecemeal" with conflicting land uses, according to Wendell Wild, West Bountiful city administrator.

Residents on Tuesday appeared to be overwhelmingly in favor of the new Costco.

"I'm really excited to have one closer to us," said Emily Sommer of Farmington. "It's a long ways to go to Ogden."

Costco now operates seven stores in Utah. The West Bountiful location will have a gas station, pharmacy, tire center, one-hour photo and other specialty services. Only members can shop at the store. Membership fees are $45 a year. Applications are available at the store.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com