Crystal - Lee Park Neighborhood - Project Updates

Due to the hot weather, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Q3 Contracting, has delayed their restoration work within CenterPoint Energy’s project. When the weather cools, the crew will resume restoring the lawns and boulevards. The crew estimates restoring your lawn in approximately mid- to late July, depending on the weather. When your lawn is restored, here are some tips to remember for post-construction maintenance:

Watering: Thoroughly soak the newly restored area the first day. Daily watering is recommended for the next 14-21 days, subject to weather and local municipal watering restrictions. The area should be moist to a depth of ½" to 1" but do not let puddles form.

Weed control: Weed seed is not part of the seed mixture but weeds grow under any condition. If weeds are present, pull weeds out by hand and mow as needed to keep weeds from taking over the new lawn.

Stabilization: Various erosion control measures keep the restored area moist, hold seed in the soil, and enhance seed germination. If an erosion blanket is needed, it is secured in place with staples. The mesh is a wood fiber that will completely degrade. Prior to mowing the restored area, remove any loose staples that secured the blanket.

Mowing: Keep foot traffic to a minimum until the first mowing. Wait at least 14 days or until the new grass is at least 3" tall before mowing. Mow as needed to develop a strong root system for the grass and to keep weeds down. Mow during the cool part of the day and do not mow more than one third of the height of the grass.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are finishing the project. Michels Corporation finished replacing the project’s natural gas lines. They replaced the mains, connected the service lines to the new mains, and moved inside meters outside. Q3 Contracting will follow to restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.

On the soft surfaces such as boulevards and lawns, various erosion control measures keep the restored area moist, hold seed in the soil, and enhance seed germination. If an erosion blanket is needed it is secured in place with staples. The mesh is a wood fiber that will completely degrade. Prior to mowing the restored area, remove any loose staples that secured the blanket. For photo examples, please visit our Restoration Practices page.

In the week of May 16, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, connected the natural gas service lines to the new mains under the south side of the boulevard of 34th Place N. and 35th Avenue N. between 36th Avenue N. and Regent Avenue N. They also moved inside meters outside.

In the week of May 23, the crew will work on the service lines and meters on Kyle and June Avenues N. between 36th and 35th Avenues N. During this time, there will be no parking restrictions in this area. They will be working under the west boulevard when connecting the service lines to the new mains.

By this Friday, May 13, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, plans to finish replacing the project’s natural gas mains.

Another Michels Corporation crew has been connecting the service lines to the new mains and moving inside meters outside. In the week of May 9, the crew will work under the west side boulevard of Perry Avenue N. between 34th and 35th Avenues N. In the week of May 16, the crew will work under the east side boulevard of 34th Place between Scott Avenue N. and 35th Avenue N. During this time, street parking will not be affected.

In the week of May 9, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, is continuing to replace the natural gas main under the south sidewalk and road of 36th Avenue N. between Noble and June Avenues N. During this time, parking and driving will be restricted on the south lane of 36th Avenue N. in this area.

In the week of May 2, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will replace the natural gas main under the south sidewalk and road of 36th Avenue N. between Noble and June Avenues N. During this time, parking and driving will be restricted in the south lane of 36th Avenue N. in this area.

In the week of April 25, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will replace the natural gas main under the south side of 34th Place N. and 35th Avenue N. within the roadway. This is within the project’s western portion. During this time, parking will be restricted on south sides of these roads.

From Monday, April 25 into fall 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Crystal’s Lee Park neighborhood. While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move any inside meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.

Along the following streets, the crew will replace natural gas mains, connect service lines to the new mains, and move any inside meters outside: 35th Avenue N. and 34th Place N. from Highway 100 to Regent Avenue N.; 36th Avenue N. from Noble to June Avenues N.; and Kyle and June Avenues N. from 35th to 36th Avenues N.

Along the following streets, the crew will only connect the service lines to the new mains and move any inside meters outside: Perry and Orchard Avenues N. from 34th to 36th Avenues N.; 34th Avenue N. from Quail to Orchard Avenues N.; and Noble, Major, and Lee Avenues N. from 34th to 36th Avenues N.

During this time, lane shifts will occur. Parking will be restricted in areas of active construction. The crews will close Major, Lee, and Kyle Avenues from 35th to 36th Avenues N. to through traffic. More information will be posted throughout the project’s timeline.

The construction crews and personnel will continue to use the Covid-19 Customer Permission Flyer, which requests customer permission prior to entering homes. Personnel, contractors and CenterPoint Energy employees will continue to practice CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, sanitary practices and wearing face masks when entering customer homes.

The customer will receive a CenterPoint Energy postcard in the mail typically within one or two weeks prior to the day when the Michels Corporation crews will perform the work. The crews will have CenterPoint Energy-authorized photo IDs stating that they are employees of Michels Corporation.

After the customer receives the postcard, the foreman will arrive at the customer’s house to schedule an appointment that typically meets with the customer’s schedule. If the customer isn’t home when they arrives, he will leave a door tag with his contact information to schedule an appointment with him.

Customers are advised to set aside a two- to four-hour time frame for the inside-to-outside gas meter move. They are also advised to mark their privately-installed utilities such as dog fences or sprinklers. Marking can be accomplished with tools such as spray paint or utility flags. The foreman will access the natural gas meter inside the house, move the meter outside, and relight the natural gas appliance pilot lights after the new meter has been relocated.

Customers with outside meters will be notified prior to the replacement or connection of the service lines to the new mains. Areas affected by our work will be restored to their original condition.

On the soft surfaces such as boulevards and lawns, various erosion control measures keep the restored area moist, hold seed in the soil, and enhance seed germination. If an erosion blanket is needed it is secured in place with staples. The mesh is a wood fiber that will completely degrade. Prior to mowing the restored area, remove any loose staples that secured the blanket.