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CenterPoint gas-main work will delay resurfacing in historic section; city pursuing grants for Church Street
Summary
Service staff told council CenterPoint Energy plans to replace and add gas mains in the city’s old section, requiring curb-lawn installations and localized digging that will delay road resurfacing projects there until the mains are complete; staff is pursuing OPWC grants for other street work and CDBG Phase 2 rebid opening was set for July 24.
The city’s service director updated the council July 7 on several public-works items that affect paving and resurfacing schedules: CenterPoint Energy plans extensive gas-main replacement in the historic (old) section of town, and the utility’s approach will require trenching and curb-lawn installations that delay planned 2026 resurfacing in those areas. Service Director Mr. Kikko said CenterPoint is considering “double main” installations under the curb lawn on both sides of streets rather than a single main with taps. That approach may still require selective digging and abandonment of existing mains in the street; crews will open small excavations (described as four-foot-square digs) and the city has been told the old section’s work could be pushed into Year 1 of the utility’s program. The city was told CenterPoint expects to complete most of the old section in the first year even though the utility thought it might take two years. Because of the utility schedule, the city’s 2026 road repairs in the old section will wait until the gas-main work is done. The service director said he is pursuing an OPWC grant potentially for Church Street and related work. He also reported the 2025 paving had been delayed by weather, with leveling/milling done and a surface course scheduled for the upcoming Friday (weather permitting); ADA ramps and some sidewalks in project areas were complete. Other items in the service report: disc-golf course pricing work with vendors is ongoing; CDBG Phase 2 bid opening was reissued (first bid improperly submitted) with a new opening set for July 24; the demo permit for 503 North Church Street was announced to occur between Aug. 1–15 by the planning office; and CenterPoint’s broader area program could extend citywide work into 2027 for additional neighborhoods. Council asked for clarification on where CenterPoint crews would dig and whether newly redone streets would be affected; staff said some recently repaired streets could require spot work and that the city’s planning for future OPWC grants and coordination with the utility is ongoing.
