Minneapolis – Moving Inside Meters Outside in Cooper Neighborhood
Scheduled Start Date: Late September 2022
If you contact CenterPoint Energy for any questions, please reference the project’s name Cooper Area ISM Thin Squeeze.
What will CenterPoint Energy do?
From late September to mid-December 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will begin working in Minneapolis’s Cooper Neighborhood along the following streets:
- 28th Avenue S. from 31st to 32nd Streets E.
- 29th Avenue S. from Lake Street E. to Minnehaha Avenue
- 30th Avenue S. from 32nd to 34th Streets E.
- 32nd to 35th Avenues S. from Lake Street E. to 34th Street E.
- 37th to 42nd Avenues S. from Lake Street E. to 34th Street E.
- 43rd Avenue S. from 32nd to 34th Streets E.
- 44th to 46th Avenues S. from Lake Street E. to 34th Street E.
- 47th and 48th Avenues S. from Lake Street E. to 31st Street E. and from 32nd to 34th Streets E.
- Edmund Boulevard from 32nd to 33rd Streets E.
The crews plan to begin at Edmund Boulevard, working on approximately one street at a time, heading west. They estimate that the work will take approximately 1 to 1.5 weeks per block.
The crews will move any inside residential meters outside, reconnect or replace the natural gas service lines to the existing natural gas mains, and restore the areas affected by their work. During this time, lane shifts will occur. Parking may be restricted on the side of the street where the crews are working.
What if I have an inside gas meter?
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 arrive, they will leave a door tag with their contact information to schedule an appointment with them.
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.
What should I expect during restoration?
Because of weather, Q3 Contracting will put down winter restoration on the areas affected by the natural gas work. This includes temporary asphalt on areas that were previously concrete and hydroseed, hydromulch, or straw blankets on any affected boulevards.
In spring 2023, the crew will return for permanent restoration. This includes concrete on sidewalks and black dirt and grass seed on boulevards.
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.
Thank you for attending the April 19 virtual meeting!
We want to extend a big thank-you to all who attended Longfellow Community Council’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 19. CenterPoint Energy colleagues gave a presentation on the project’s work that will happen in the Longfellow and Cooper Neighborhoods. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is here.
Please reach out to us with the contact information in the right column if you have any questions. If you need help paying your energy bill, check out our resources at CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.
