Scheduled 2022 Start Date: April 4
- If you contact CenterPoint Energy for any questions, please reference the project’s name or numbers 99673333 for the first main replacement and the service line work, or 99673335 for the second main replacement.
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What will CenterPoint Energy do in 2021?
In 2021 and 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in St. Louis Park’s Fern Hill neighborhood. While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move any inside residential meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. Parking and sidewalk closures may occur.
From late October to early November, Michels Corporation will replace only the gas mains along Toledo Avenue S. from 26th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard and along Princeton Avenue S. from 26th Street W. to 26th ½ Lane and from 28th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard. Q3 Contracting will restore the hard surfaces affected by this year’s work. The crews don’t plan to disturb any boulevards.
In 2022, they will return for the remaining main replacements and all the service line connections along the project’s remaining streets:
- Salem Avenue S. from 26th to 27th Streets W. and from 28th to 29th Streets W.
- Raleigh Avenue S. from 26th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard
- Quentin Avenue S. from 29th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard
- Ottawa Avenue S. from 28th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard
- 26th Street W. from Quentin to Princeton Avenues S.
- 29th Street W. from Toledo to Quentin Avenues S. and at Monterey Parkway
What will CenterPoint Energy do in 2022?
From early April into summer 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will finish the project begun in 2021. In April, May, and perhaps June, Michels Corporation will replace the first of the project’s two natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the first main, and move any inside meters outside. They will work on the following streets:- Toledo Avenue S. from 26th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard
- Salem Avenue S. from 26th to 27th Streets W. and from 28th to 29th Streets W.
- Raleigh Avenue S. from 26th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard
- Quentin Avenue S. from 29th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard
- Princeton Avenue S. from 28th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard
- Ottawa Avenue S. from 28th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard
- 29th Street W. from Toledo to Quentin Avenues S. and at Monterey Parkway
Customers are advised to mark their privately-installed utilities such as dog fences or sprinklers. Marking can be accomplished with tools such as spray paint, utility flags, or whatever is convenient for the customer. For sprinklers, marking the heads is sufficient.
From the week of April 18 into early May, another Michels Corporation crew will replace a large-diameter natural gas steel main on Toledo Avenue S. from 26th Street W. to Minnetonka Boulevard. Since the crews weld the pieces of the pipe together, the steel main replacement requires open excavation and takes longer to install than the small-diameter plastic main. Time spent on each block will vary due to the size of the block, the steel offsets, the restoration preparation, and the weather. More information will be provided closer to this portion of the project’s start date.
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.
What is CenterPoint Energy’s COVID-19 protocol?
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.
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.
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.
What should I expect during permanent soft surface restoration?
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.
