STAUNTON -- The state and a private developer are working on plans for retail and cultural centers that would link with the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia.

Pending the signing of a lease, the museum would work with Petrie Ross Ventures to complete the Centre at Staunton and the Awasaw Cultural Center.

"This is very premature," said John Avoli, executive director of the museum. "There is no ground lease signed yet. And this whole deal may still fall through. We're hoping it will happen, but until you have your John Hancock on all the pages, nothing is happening."

The plan includes the use of approximately 40 acres to be converted into "a very unique retail environment," along with 8½ acres dedicated to an artisans center.

Centre at Staunton would be the retail development, though organizers said they would not release details until the deal is set with Petrie Ross. The Awasaw Cultural Center would feature works of artisans from Virginia and beyond. Plans also include restaurant and banquet areas.

According to the developer's Web site, "this mixed-use project will include retail, banking, restaurants, [a] theater/artisans center, museum and hospitality. Throughout the new project, sidewalks and trails will join with those of the museum to complement the tram with its stops along the boulevard."

Avoli says Awasaw, an American Indian word for "beautiful place," will be a result of a partnership between Awasaw Inc. and the state.

The museum has "received some preliminary site plans. It is an absolutely beautiful building that will add a lot, as far as tourism. It will be a draw, along with the museum," Avoli said.

The museum would oversee design decisions, including choices on colors, landscaping and building materials, of the two centers.

The developer's Web site projects that Centre at Staunton will open in the fall of 2009.

Avoli expressed excitement about the venture.

"I think it will be a boon for the entire area," he said. "The entrance to Staunton will be a nice, nice area. It will add immensely to the entrance of the museum itself, as well as the city of Staunton.

Alicia Rimel is a staff writer at The News Virginian in Waynesboro.