11/10/2021

Late this week or early in the week of November 15, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will finish the project’s natural gas work. This includes connecting the service lines to the new mains and putting the existing mains out of service.


Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. On any excavations in boulevards and lawns, they will backfill with dirt and netting. In spring 2022, they will return with black dirt and seed.


We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines, ensuring system reliability for years to come.

10/22/2021

One crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, finished replacing the project’s natural gas mains. Another Michels Corporation crew is continuing to connect the service lines to the new mains. The no parking signs will be removed as work is being completed.

10/18/2021

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, have replaced the natural gas mains along the following streets: Barry Avenue N., Gardner Street E., Minnetonka Avenue N., Walker Avenue N., Beaver Dam Street E., and Park Street E. between Barry and Broadway Avenues N.


This week, the crew will on Chicago Avenue N., Park Street E. east of Broadway Avenue N., and Broadway Avenue N. In places of active construction, parking will be restricted on both sides of the roads. This work will conclude the project’s natural gas main replacements.


Another Michels Corporation is following to connect the service lines to the new mains. They have begun on Barry Avenue N. and Gardner Street E. The no parking signs will be removed as work is being completed.

What will CenterPoint Energy do?

From the week of October 4 into spring 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work along the following streets: Barry Avenue N. from Wayzata Boulevard E. to Gardner Street E.; Minnetonka Avenue N. from Wayzata Boulevard E. to Park Street E. and from Gardner Street E. to Beaver Dam Street E.; Walker Avenue N. from to Wayzata Boulevard E. to Beaver Dam Street E.; Broadway Avenue N. from Wayzata Boulevard E. to Beaver Dam Street E.; Chicago Avenue N. from Wayzata Boulevard E. to Gardner Street E.; Beaver Dam Street E. from Walker Avenue N. to Broadway Avenue N.; Gardner Street E. from Barry Avenue N. to Broadway Avenue N.; and Park Street E. from Barry Avenue N. to east of Chicago Avenue N.


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. For most of the project’s duration, lane and parking closures will occur. Minnetonka, Walker and Chicago Avenues will have limited closures north of Wayzata Blvd.

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 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.

What should I expect during 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.