Wal-Mart is not a definite possibility for Athens, said James Scholemer, president of Continental Properties Co. Inc. Friday at a press conference at the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.

Continental Properties is a development firm in Wisconsin that will lease 60 acres of land from Ohio University for commercial development. The project will be done in three phases of about 20 acres each. No construction dates are set right now as engineers finalize flood plain studies.

"We have talked with Wal-Mart, but we have talked to other retailers more than them," Scholemer said.

Scholemer said no retailers have been finalized because the project is still premature. He also said businesses are not going to locate here if they do not think people will shop in their stores.

Continental Properties' Eli Bratich said he has received calls from local merchants wondering how their businesses will fit into the equation.

"Some have expressed interest in relocating for expansion purposes," he said.

Bratich said restaurant owners have expressed interest in the land.

"Many restaurants have been fairly aggressive about wanting to develop here," he said. "The feel they could provide a great addition to the community."

Scholemer said Continental Properties did not want to rush into anything.

"We want to do all our homework before we start announcing anything to the community," he said.

Scholemer said his company chose Athens in 1997 as being under-retailed, and since then, the company has looked for land to develop.

To determine under-retailed areas, the company looks at geographic boundaries and drive time to alternative retail venues.

The development period is when the firm is most involved with the community, developing design ideas and traffic plans. But Scholemer said Continental Properties historically has been more involved with the communities it develops than other development firms.

"We manage our own property; that gives us a hands-on involvement," he said. "We do mostly retail development, but we have done some corporate."

The final project is envisioned as a pedestrian-friendly environment but not an enclosed mall, Scholemer said.

- Mary Ellen Hardies