The slow process of complying with government regulations - each step must be approved by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency - has caused work delays that increase costs and frustrate project managers.

"They're what-if-ing it to death," said Ed McCabe, an engineering contractor.

People have used former dumps for pole barns, jogging paths and a golf course, but never retail buildings, said EPA manager Kurt Princic.

"There are a lot of questions," he said. "We've been looking at this very closely to prevent any catastrophic events from happening."

Princic said the agency's biggest concern is seeping methane gas, a byproduct of decaying garbage. Methane can explode if it is trapped.

McGill Property Group of Solon plans to vent the buildings with pipes and exhaust systems and install methane sensors.

The 100-acre site overlooking the Cuyahoga Valley that is part of two massive abandoned garbage dumps soon will have an asphalt parking lot and a dozen stores, including Wal-Mart, Circuit City and Giant Eagle.