Issues and concerns have stopped site preparation for the proposed Mills Pointe shopping plaza, which will include a 200,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Superstore, and an adjacent Huntingdon Marketplace retail center.

Work was suspended more than two months ago when Sewickley-based Sipple Development Inc. owner Doug Sipple moved his grading equipment from the site.

Mr. Sipple would not comment. He referred inquiries to DeBartolo Development offices in Tampa, Fla.

The site is not unstable, according to North Huntingdon engineer/planning director Andrew W. Blenko.

"We've heard rumors and conflicting reports about the site since the work stopped," Mr. Blenko said. "Following the boring, Mr. Sipple was uncomfortable with the earth mixture after 11 million cubic yards of dirt was moved around," Mr. Blenko said. "But nobody involved with this project told the township the site is unstable.

"The ground is not completely settled yet, but it isn't sliding," he added. "Stability is not an issue. This is not another Kilbuck Township,"

Wal-Mart Corporate Affairs Director Jim Davis concurred.

"It is not a stability issue. The project cannot go forward until PennDOT issues a highway occupancy permit," Mr. Davis said over the phone from Bentonville, Ark. "The developer is in the process of trying to work those issues out.

"It appears some folks who oppose Wal-Mart going in there may be taking advantage of the situation to stir things up. People are overreacting," Mr. Davis said.

"Trying to compare the Kilbuck and Norwin projects is like comparing apples to oranges. The situations might seem the same due to developers preparing sites, but they are different," he said.

In April, Wal-Mart took over development of the Kilbuck project in the wake of issues stemming from a massive landslide that closed Route 65 for several days.

"I don't feel that's going to happen with the Norwin site," Mr. Davis said. "We have a great location. Wal-Mart looks forward to doing business as part of a growing Norwin community."

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will not issue a highway occupancy permit to allow DeBartolo Development to relocate a 1,500-foot section of Barnes Lake Road westward along Route 30. That section was taken out last year, when site grading began.

The road closure has led to major traffic congestion along Route 30 and ramps to the Irwin interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In addition, side roads PennDOT uses as detours are crumbling.

"Slopes proposed on both sides of the new section of Barnes Lake Road near Route 30 are steeper than anticipated. It's a road in a valley. Additional property is needed to comply with PennDOT requirements," Mr. Blenko said.

"I understand DeBartolo is negotiating with WD North Huntingdon Investors to purchase a parcel of their site along Route 30," he said.