Contractors have been renovating the cavernous former Dan Gamel Camp America building at 4080 W. Shaw Ave. in Fresno, reportedly in advance of Walmart’s intention to open a new “supercenter” at the site.
Walmart, based in Bentonville, Ark., has been tight-lipped regarding its plans for the 223,378-square-foot building. The company already operates a store at 3680 W. Shaw Ave., near the intersection of Marty Avenue and just a few blocks from the Camp America location.

---

Cornell Andrei, store manager for Walmart’s 3680 W. Shaw store, said he has not received a timetable from the corporate office regarding a move to the new West Shaw location.
“I have not been given a date yet when that work is going to be done,” Andrei said. “So I really don’t have much information about what’s going on there right now.”
Andrei directed further inquiries to Walmart’s corporate headquarters, but company officials did not respond to multiple telephone and email requests for more specific information on the project.
Last week, a private security guard patrolling outside the Camp America building said he’s been told Walmart will open at the new location when the renovation work is complete.
Walmart purchased the Camp America property in 2012.
“We sold that building to Walmart three years ago but they still haven’t taken my signs out of the window,” said Steven Rontell, principal and senior vice president at Colliers International. “We haven’t had anything to do with the property since Walmart bought it.”
According to recent Fresno County building permit information, Vernalis, Calif.-based CVE Demolition is the contractor on the interior demolition and remodel work, which the company valued at $80,000.
United Security Bank took possession of the building and the nearly 18-acre property from RV retailer Dan Gamel in January 2010. Before it became Camp America, the building was originally a K-Mart.

George Lurie  |  Reporter can be reached at: 490-3464 or e-mail george@thebusinessjournal.com