St. Louis Park - Kentucky Avenue S. from 14th to 22nd Streets W. - Project Updates

This fall, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Michels Corporation, replaced the project’s natural gas mains and began connecting the service lines to the new mains. Due to the availability of supplies and the crew’s progress on other CenterPoint Energy jobs, Michels Corporation plans to connect the project’s remaining service lines in spring 2022.

By November 15, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Q3 Contracting, will temporarily restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. On the streets and sidewalks, bituminous patches will be laid. On boulevards and lawns, black dirt and seed will be laid. In spring 2022, permanent restoration will follow the final natural gas work. Q3 Contracting will restore the disturbed areas to their original condition. We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors plan to finish the project by November 15. One crew from Michels Corporation replaced the project’s natural gas mains. Another Michels Corporation crew will begin connecting the service line to the new mains. Following this work, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines.

Beginning in early October and lasting into late fall 2021 or spring 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in St. Louis Park along Kentucky Avenue S. between 14th and 22nd Streets W. 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 will occur.

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.