Alliant Energy organizes meeting about downtown H-frame structures

Downtown property owners are encouraged to attend an informational meeting hosted by Alliant Energy on Jan. 24 regarding upgrades to the alleyways and the removal of the H-frame overhead structures. The city council originally voted to replace the electrical facilities in 2019.

The meeting will be held 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Legacy Plaza’s Building 16 event space. The entrance to Building 16 is located in the courtyard of Legacy Plaza, just west of Gezellig Brewing Company. Parking is located across the street of Legacy Plaza in the lot south of the Centre for Arts & Artists.

Flyers distributed to property owners who will be in close proximity to the project say the overhead structures will be replaced with underground electric lines. Alliant Energy staff will be present to answer any questions and provide information on the timeline and process.

Matt Hansen, a customer operations manager for Alliant Energy, told city council members at the Jan. 14 meeting that about 100 flyers were printed and distributed to the surrounding business owners. The informational meeting is really for them, he said.

“While other members of the public may trickle in or show up we’d like to keep that to the folks that will be affected by the project so they have a chance to ask questions and know how their businesses will be affected,” Hansen added, noting he did not have details to discuss about the project during the council meeting.

When the Newton News previously reported out the project in 2019, it was anticipated to be completed by Dec. 31, 2024.

The multi-phase project begins with replacing the overhead structures between First Street North and East Second Street North and the northernmost alleys behind buildings along North Second Avenue West in downtown Newton.

By the second phase, Alliant Energy will replace structures located south of the buildings along First Avenue, extending from West Second Street North to East Second Street North. The third phase is split in two locations about one block east and west of the Jasper County Courthouse.

The west side replacement will be in the alleyway perpendicularly separating North Second Avenue West and First Avenue West between West Second Street North and West Third Street North. The east side portion will replace structures in the alleyway cutting through East Second Street North.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com