Businesses prepare to move for high-speed rail

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The high-speed rail project will soon claim its first big structure in Downtown Fresno.

The old Del Monte plant on G Street has been closed for at least a decade. It caught fire back in May but it will be leveled to make way for high-speed rail.

On Wednesday, September 10th bulldozers will tear down the old packing house near Chinatown. The building will be demolished in three phases.

Diana Gomez is the Central Valley Regional Director of the High-speed rail Authority. She said, "This the first big building that we have here in downtown. The others were smaller type buildings that required less than two hours."

The project will take over a month to finish. Crews must complete abatement work inside to remove lead and asbestos before the building can be torn down.

G Street between Kern and Tulare is not expected to re-open until October 10th.

The high-speed rail project is slowly taking shape.

Gomez said, "There will be underpasses at Tulare and at Ventura."

Crews will then turn their attention to the state parole office on G Street.

Prettyman Promos down the street faces a rapidly approaching move out date.

Business owner Becky Prettyman explained, "November 30th which is our busiest season so it's going to be a challenge to get us up and running over a weekend we need to move and be operational in that kind of time span."

The business puts company logos on everything imaginable from shirts to glasses to wristbands.

Prettyman expected to secure office space in another location before this one shuts down.

"We've just been trying to mentally prepare to find another place to relocate," said Prettyman. "I like downtown. I like supporting downtown so I've been interested in staying here."

Gomez expected to soon see a high-speed rail project contract awarded for a 60 mile stretch from American avenue in Fresno County south to Kern County.