FORT WRIGHT — It's been weeks since workers finished grading the massive hill where a local developer had proposed building a Wal-Mart Supercenter. Now one of the biggest guessing games in town is what will ultimately go there.

        Since last fall, when Fort Wright City Council rejected plans for a Wal-Mart Supercenter and the developer ap pealed, there has been little action on the legal front.

        And while talk persists that the property owner is quietly courting possible alternatives to Wal-Mart, the city has received no new development proposals for the site.

        “I've heard rumors that it might be a grocery store or a home improvement store or a lot of little shops,” said 15-year resident Margie Carroll, who is among those fighting the proposed Wal-Mart. “My personal opinion is, we would accept any of that, as long as it wasn't a superstore that would pull from the whole region.”

        Last year, B&Z Development Inc. of Fort Wright proposed building the Valley Plaza Shopping Center on 64 acres off Ky. 17, or the 3L Highway, between Highland Pike and Orphanage Road.

        A 204,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter was

        to anchor the site, surrounded by a dozen smaller businesses such as restaurants, banks, and a video store.

        Fort Wright commissioned a traffic study last year for the area. The city's consultant said that even with the Wal-Mart developer's proposed improvements, five nearby intersections would be worse than The traffic consultant also questioned whether the proposed Wal-Mart fit the permitted uses in the neighborhood shopping center zone.

        After a lengthy hearing last October, council rejected the Wal-Mart and shopping center.

        A month later, Jim Berling, the Fort Wright engineer whose B&Z Development Inc. has invested millions in the purchase and site preparation, filed suit to appeal the city's rejection.

        The city filed its response within the required 20 days, said City Attorney Pete Summe.

        Since then, officials have heard little.

        Representatives of Arkansas- based Wal-Mart and Mr. Berling did not return phone calls.

        However, Gerald Dusing, Mr. Berling's lawyer, said: “There has not been any softening of our stand. We are proceeding with the litigation.”

        Mr. Dusing added he “is not in the loop with regard to any change” in what might be built at the site.

        “The last official action on the property was when the city turned it down,” said Fort Wright Administrator Larry Klein. “We're not in negotiations with anybody.”

        Mr. Klein said Mr. Berling's options are to pursue his lawsuit, or submit a new proposal.

        Patrick Hughes, a Fort Wright resident and lawyer who is representing 10 families opposed to a Wal-Mart Supercenter, said opponents realize that development eventually will occur at the site. However, he said they want it to serve Fort Wright and surrounding communities “first and foremost” in keeping with a smart growth approach.

        “They don't want Fort Wright to be the destination center for Greater Cincinnati,” Mr. Hughes said.

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