2025-007-Hickory Substation - Overhead Distribution Nov. 22,2024 Report No. 2025-007
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Provide a description and photo simulation of the overhead electric distribution that will
temporarily remain at the northeast corner of Bonnie Brae Street and Hickory Street in front of
Denton Municipal Electric's (DME) new Hickory GIS Substation.
BACKGROUND:
The new Hickory GIS Substation is currently being built adjacent to an entry corridor to the City
of Denton for its downtown, University of North Texas, and historic district areas. Aesthetics
along this entry corridor were of particular interest to the Council,who wanted the new substation
to fit the area.
On June 21, 2016, the City Council (ID 16-7111) provided DME staff direction regarding the
Hickory Substation site related to options for the substation's configuration and aesthetic
treatment. The presentation included background information on the Hickory GIS Substation site,
the recommendation of the Substation Aesthetic Committee, and estimated construction costs.
Council directed DME to build the new Hickory Substation with GIS technology to minimize its
footprint and align with the Council's preference for an architectural fagade/wall. Additional
direction from the Council included DME moving forward with underground transmission circuits
appropriate to the construction of this substation as well as converting existing overhead
distribution circuits in the same general area to underground.
Construction for the overhead to underground conversion started over 18 months ago, which
required closing Bonnie Brae, Oak, and Hickory streets several times to install underground
facilities. DME completed the construction of these underground facilities except for one duct
bank. The remaining duct bank routes south along the east side of Bonnie Brae Street and will
need to be located in the new street Rights of Way (ROW) that the City is planning to acquire in
the future for the widening of Bonnie Brae (Project Bonnie Brae Phase 4B). DME investigated
other routes for the remaining underground duct bank but no feasible routes were found due to
existing underground conflicts in these roads.
DME plans to temporarily leave two distribution lines overhead until the new ROW for Bonnie
Brae Road is acquired. This will minimize the number of lane closures required in the area and
reduce the impact on residents. Staff will coordinate the installation of the remaining duct bank to
convert the last overhead distribution facility to underground after the new ROW is acquired and
during the widening of Bonnie Brae Street during the Bonnie Brae Phase 4B project.
' City of Denton Meeting Agenda—City Council,June 21,2016
Nov. 22,2024 Report No. 2025-007
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Figure 1—Remaining Overhead Distribution Line
MAJOR MILESTONE SCHEDULE:
April 2021 —Solicit RFQ
May 2021 — Select Qualified Firms from RFQ Process
May 2021 —Provide project specification package to Qualified Firms and request proposals
October 2021 — Select Firm for the Project
December 2021 —PUB and Council Approval
December 2021 to May 2022—Project Design
June 2022—Construction Starts
January 2025 —Construction Complete
STAFF CONTACT:
Jerry Fielder, P.E; Executive Manager of Engineering Services; 940-349-7173