Naples-based Barron Collier Cos. announced Thursday it has chosen Courtelis Co. as the retail leasing representative for the first phase of the town of Ave Maria, which will surround the new Ave Maria University.

Barron Collier Cos. is developing the 5,000-acre town in conjunction with Ave Maria Foundation.

The company chose the Miami-based Courtelis Co. because of its relationship with an extensive number of tenants, stated Paul Marinelli, Barron president and chief executive.

The two companies previously worked together on construction of Granada Shoppes, at the corner of U.S. 41 and Immokalee Road. They are also partnering on Magnolia Square, a shopping center planned for the corner of Goodlette-Frank and Pine Ridge roads.

The project's first phase, Ave Maria Town Center, is scheduled to open in 2007 and will consist of 75,000 square feet of retail space and 26,000 square feet of office space.