News & Developments

Hiawatha Substation Designs Released

"Artistic" approach selected

Hiawatha Project Update and Substation Designs

Xcel Energy has recently released designs for the new substations they'll be installing at either end of the Hiawatha Project, two high-voltage transmission lines that will run beneath 28th Street from Hiawatha to Oakland Avenue.

Thanks to artistic and neighborhood involvement, the designs are a far cry from the concrete boxes typically used as substations. The substation near Hiawatha (below) features a translucent cube that will glow at night, complementing the nearby Sabo Bridge. Refer to the Hiawatha Project website for further rederings and updates.

Xcel hopes to break ground on the project this summer, and to finish the transmisison lines in the fall of 2013. Construction on the substations should begin in 2012 and finish in 2014.

The Midtown Greenway Coalition would like to thank Tim Springer, former Executive Director, for representing the Coalition on the substation design committee. Two MGC board membrs, Amanda Dlouhy and Margaret Kirkpatrick,  were also on the committee representing their neighborhoods. We sincerely appreciate their involvement and input!