An attorney for Wal-Mart wants a new study done on the feasibility of a site near I-35 in Albert Lea in hopes of getting the ball rolling on a long-promised superstore.

The site, in the area directly east of the I-35 on ramp on East Main &045; also known as Old Highway 65 &045; would likely need road work, a new intersection and a bridge over wetlands areas if a Wal-Mart Supercenter is built there, City Manager Paul Sparks said.

After having at least one other study done &045; paid for by the city &045; Wal-Mart will fund the next study itself. Sparks said two other studies have been done, but developer Tom Leland said the new study will be the second.

Sparks said the latest request is part of &uot;a fact-finding mission&uot; by Wal-Mart’s attorney, who is trying to determine what cost and feasibility estimates for the site are accurate. The company has been working with Leland and his I-35 Development Corporation on the project.

&uot;I think (Wal-Mart has) been told a set of facts, and we have presented them with a different set of facts,&uot; Sparks said.

&uot;Then they can evaluate this site and compare it to other sites that might be available,&uot; Sparks said.

Leland said Wal-Mart has always been interested in the site in question, which is in a triangle bound by I-35 on the East, the East Main on-ramp on the west and north and County Road 46 on the south.

&uot;It’s the most accessible and most visible location out there and Wal-Mart recognizes that,&uot; Leland said. &uot;And there’s more land available for future development&uot; compared to other sites, he said.

The new study, Leland said, is intended to settle once and for all whether the site is right for the company.

&uot;We’re trying to make it proactive by putting it in layman’s terms so they can form, ultimately, their own opinion,&uot; he said.

Because few other property owner would share the cost of adding roads or an intersection, most of the costs of the public improvements would fall to Wal-Mart, Sparks said. The city’s only obligation would be to pay for a sewer extension.

Both Sparks and Leland said despite more than a year of apparent inaction on the planned new store, the company still intends to carry out its plans.

&uot;We’re ready to go, outside of the public improvements, which the study will address,&uot; Leland said.

&uot;They want to build,&uot; Sparks said. &uot;It’s just a question of where.&uot;

Leland said the study should take around six weeks to complete.

The city council will discuss the proposed study at its meeting Monday.