10/07/99

Contact: Hub Burton, Ohio University, (740) 593- 2200
James Schloemer, Continental Properties Company, Inc., (414) 502-5500

ATHENS, Ohio -- Officials from Continental Properties Co. and Ohio University were informed today of the Ohio Department of Natural Resource's Oct. 5, 1999 letter in response to the request by Athens County and the city of Athens for an analysis of the proposed modification to the floodway boundary of the Hocking River.

The university and Continental support a thorough analysis of the issues addressed in the ODNR letter and anticipates further review of the technical aspects by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said John F. Burns, director of Ohio University Legal Affairs. After a preliminary review of ODNR's response by university officials, several questions were raised, Burns said.

"We have some concerns with the scope and accuracy of ODNR's findings," Burns said.

City, county, university and other officials met today to respond to questions raised in the report.

"After attending a working session with authorities from the city, county and Continental, the developer who submitted the initial modification request, we are confident that Continental's consulting engineer, EMH&T, will provide an adequate response to the concerns raised by ODNR," Burns said. "With this response, I think FEMA will be able to address some of the discrepancies presented in ODNR's report."

As requested by the mayor's office, the review process is expected to proceed with FEMA, the appropriate regulatory agency for floodway modifications. Continental said it will work within the appropriate guidelines to ensure the project complies with all regulations.

"After two years of working within the Athens community, we remain committed to delivering a first-class project," said Eli Bratich, a Continental spokesman.