Clock Tickin' for Downtown Steam Heat Customers

By Mark Geary, Reporter

Tools

By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Nov 19, 2009 at 10:00 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2009 at 10:10 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cold winter weather is approaching. That means the pressure is on for some downtown Cedar Rapids businesses to get their flood-damaged heating systems functioning.

In the past, much of the downtown area was heated by steam. But, the flood damaged Alliant Energy's steam plant and the company is shutting off much of the steam service on December First.

That means a handful of businesses are scrambling to meet that deadline.

In the basement of the Higley Building, workers from the BG Brecke company race to finish this boiler system before time runs out.

"Luckily we still have the steam line from the city steam in up until December," said Scott Olson of Skogman Realty.

After December First, Alliant Energy will shut off the steam that used to heat the building.

The entire process to swap systems comes with a $175,000 dollar price-tag.

"It's really the hidden cost of the flood," Olson added.

While it's expensive right now, the project will ultimately save money later.

"Hopefully, the system will be more efficient and closer to our original steam bills," Olson said.

Once every building has made the transition, city leaders will face a new challenge.

"Before we used the low cost energy as a recruitment tool to recruit businesses into this area. So, this now levels the playing field," said chamber of commerce member Shannon Meyer.

Yet,all the new plans and ideas swirling around for the city may ultimately act as an even greater recruitment tool for future businesses.

Right now, Alliant says of its 170 low pressure steam customers, about a half-dozen buildings still need to switch off the steam system. But, the company expects everyone to meet that deadline.

Another half-dozen or so other buildings are vacant and have chosen not to upgrade at this point.

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