Xcel Energy office project advances

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

Ironwood - Xcel Energy's new office building in the city's industrial park is taking shape.

Market and Johnson, of Eau Claire, Wis., is the general contractor for the project in the northeast part of the park, across from the speculation building that was purchased by Scandinavian Log Homes, of Kimball, Wis.

Tim Durand, who is fill-in supervisor for the project this week, said Tuesday much subcontracting work is under way or has been completed in areas such as electrical, plumbing, heating-ventilation and excavating.

Xcel is moving its offices from Alfred Wright Boulevard in Norrie Location to the industrial park site.

The construction began in mid-June. "All of the rain hasn't helped," Durand said of one of Ironwood's wettest summers on record. That comment was echoed by other workers on the site.

There were from 15 to 20 workers Tuesday and Durand said more were expected to arrive today.

The Ironwood Planning Commission approved a site plan and conditional use permit for the industrial park project on Aug. 7, 2015.

The Cedar Corporation, of Menomonie, Wis., outlined project plans for Xcel at that meeting.

Wetland permits from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality were obtained.

Xcel purchased 15.7 acres in the park to build the new office. Ten acres are being used for the new building, parking and buffer zones.

Stormwater run-off will go into two ponds.

Trees will be planted at the site, with buffer zones on the east and south sides.

The original plans called for construction to be completed by this fall, but the weather may have already set back that date.

The current office site on Alfred Wright Boulevard will continue to be used by Xcel, but the service center and a garage will be torn down.

The conditional use permit granted by the planning commission is for storage of equipment at the site.

The land was sold by the city for $2,000 an acre, the standard rate in the industrial park.