Moving Inside Gas Meters Outside in Cooper Neighborhood

Cooper Neighborhood, expect some construction as CenterPoint Energy works to move gas meters outside of buildings and residences.

What will CenterPoint Energy do?

In the construction season of 2022 or 2023, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work 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.

Check the CenterPoint Energy webpage for the project’s time frame closer to the project’s start date. 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.Watch this slideshow for more information.

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.

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?

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.