AHOSKIE – Despite an earlier setback, Wal-Mart still plans to build a Super Center in Ahoskie.

According to Ahoskie Town Manager Tony Hammond, a property survey of an alternate site has been completed. That property is southeast of the original site which Wal-Mart planned to construct its Super Center.

Plans to build on the original site, in the empty field adjacent to the existing Wal-Mart, off U.S. 13 South were abandoned after soil samples discovered contaminants. The new site is located just a short distance south, in the field adjacent to Freeman Metal Products.

Hammond said crews have nearly completed the ground boring process (to test soil types, storm water drainage capability, etc.).

“I expect preliminary (building) plans will be completed by year’s end,” Hammond said. “Construction could begin early next year.”

In October of last year, Glen Wilkins, Senior Manager of Wal-Mart’s Public Affairs office in Atlanta, Ga., confirmed his company’s intentions to construct a 156,000 square-foot Super Center in Ahoskie. The original plans called for construction to begin in February of this year, but that timetable was suspended after the soil was deemed unsuitable.

Wilkins said without any major delays or weather-related work stoppages, it normally takes 10 months to construct a Super Center.

The new Ahoskie Wal-Mart will include a garden center, full-service pharmacy and grocery store. Wilkins said there will be no tire and lube express or gas station at the Ahoskie location.