Bye, Bye Bitwise. You Can Help Rename South Stadium Building.

The former corporate headquarters of Bitwise Industries is getting a new name.

Known as Bitwise South Stadium in downtown Fresno, the building’s landlord — Summa Properties — whitewashed the huge sign off the roof last month. Now, Will Dyck wants to rename the building entirely.

“We’re open to ideas and welcome the public to contact us with their ideas for a new name,” Dyck tells Politics 101.

When Bitwise experienced business problems and eventual bankruptcy in May and June, it was revealed the company didn’t own its buildings — they leased from Summa. After the company went belly-up, Summa legally took back the properties.

The building opened in 1915 as a car dealership. Maybe revert back to the Dodge Brothers name? The Fresno Resilient Building?

Anyone who has an idea to rename South Stadium, email Summa Properties at this link.

Related Story: As Bitwise Legacy Erased, Creditors Meet. What About Employee 401(k)?

Bitwise 41 is now Factory 41. Some signs have already come down. (GV Wire/David Taub)

New Names for Other Former Bitwise Buildings

While the public will help pick a new name for South Stadium, Dyck is moving ahead with renaming two other former Bitwise buildings.

The Bitwise Hive at 2600 Ventura Street — known for its distinctive bold colors and honeycomb design — will be called The Beehive. Bitwise 41 (2721 Ventura Street, by Highway 41) will be renamed Factory 41. The name echoes the building’s history as a former Old Spaghetti Factory.

Dyck is also considering displaying his tenants’ flags outside The Beehive. Or maybe, he said, he’ll stick with the U.S. and California flags.

Above: The Bitwise Hive sign will come down, and the building will be known as The Beehive. Below: the “BW” portion of the logo is removed from what is now Factory 41. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Walmart Gas Station Clears First Approval

A plan for a 16-pump gas station at a northwest Fresno Walmart passed its first test Monday night.

The District 2 Project Review Committee approved the plan 4-0. It will next go to the city planning commission.

The biggest concern among committee members was traffic.

Committeeman Austin Ferreria asked about how the gas station would prevent backups. The civil engineer representing Walmart said it would be one way in, one way out with a stacking lane built in.

The company said existing Walmart customers will likely stick around to fuel up. Walmart+ members will receive a 10-cent-a-gallon discount.

And, Walmart’s engineer said the kiosk will not sell alcohol.

It was also revealed during the meeting that Walmart-owned Sam’s Club, a member-only warehouse at Blackstone and Nees avenues, also plans to build a gas station. Construction, the Walmart representative said, was supposed to start two years ago. There is no timetable for when it may open.

A new gas station at a northwest Fresno Walmart won its first approval this week. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Water District Website Dark on its Governance

Two years ago, I wrote about the lack of transparency at the small Pinedale County Water District. The public agency, with elected board members, delivers water and sewer services to some neighborhoods in northwest Fresno.

Related Story: Sunshine Week: Some Local Governments Keep Info in the Dark

As a public agency, it is supposed to post agendas and board minutes on its website. That is required by the state’s open meeting law, the Brown Act. After GV Wire’s stories, PCWD updated its website with agendas and minutes.

Now, the agency has reverted to not complying with the Brown Act. The last agenda is from January 2023; the last minutes are from October 2022.

“The Brown Act requires governing boards of local agencies to post agendas in advance of their meetings, in a physical place open to the public and on the agency’s website if it has one. If an agency is not following its obligations to post agendas, it is defeating the core purpose of the Brown Act to ensure transparency and accountability of local government,” David Loy with the First Amendment Coalition said.

A district official tells Politics 101 that the website is “inoperable” and they are hiring a firm to create a new one.