St. Louis Park – Oregon Park Area
Scheduled Start Date: October 25, 2021
- If you contact CenterPoint Energy for any questions, please reference the project’s name or number 97072131.
What will CenterPoint Energy do?
Beginning in the week of October 25 and lasting into the first week of November, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Michels Corporation, will replace the project’s natural gas mains. In areas of active construction, parking will be restricted on the side of the road where the crews are working. Flaggers may be on site helping direct traffic. In spring 2022, they will return to connect the service lines to the new mains.
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.
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 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 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.
