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What: Wal-Mart expansion project
Where: 20120 Pinebrook Blvd., Bend
Owner: Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Architect: Shade Lawrence O'Quinn Architect, Dallas, Texas General contractor: Pacland, Portland
Details: Work is under way to expand Bend's Wal-Mart store, adding a bakery, grocery aisles and other departments to the facility.
Construction began in late April, said Delia Garcia, a spokeswoman for the company, and is on pace to wrap up in spring of 2013.
“The expansion is on schedule,” Garcia said. “It should take about a year or so.”
Plans filed with the city of Bend show the expansion will add about 44,000 square feet, making the store 166,000 square feet.
Planning documents show the expansion will aid aisles for food and produce, and sections for a deli and bakery. In addition to the expansion, much of the building will be renovated over the next year, Garcia said.
The electronics department, pharmacy and garden center will also be redone.
And across the store, skylights, energy-efficient lights and light-dimming systems will be added.
As work gets closer to completion, the store will look to add about 85 employees, Garcia said.
Shoppers should expect to see construction workers in and outside of the store for much of the next year, Garcia said.
Wal-Mart has been planning the expansion since 2010, according to The Bulletin's archives.