Wal-Mart plan still uncertain

It is not definite that Wal-Mart is coming to Athens, but officials are interested in building in the Athens area.

The Sept. 13 story, "Wal-Mart announces new building," reported Wal-Mart officials confirmed the discount store definitely is coming to Athens County.

In an interview Sept. 8 for that story, John Bisio, manager of community affairs of Wal-Mart for the Midwest, said, "We are looking at a new supercenter in Athens County." He also said construction on the store was to begin in 2001.

In an interview yesterday, however, Bisio said if all things go as planned, construction on a Wal-Mart could begin next year.

In neither interview did Bisio state an exact location or month for any possible construction to begin.

Property on East State Street remains a potential location for development, said John Burns, director of legal affairs for Ohio University, in an interview Tuesday.