Project Overview
When an underground electrical failure interrupted power to four tenant spaces at Glendale Town Center, restoring service quickly was critical. One of the affected businesses was a grocery store with refrigerated and frozen inventory.
LH Block Electric responded to the emergency at the Glendale Heights property, managed by Rossi Real Estate, and coordinated temporary generator power, underground electrical service replacement, expedited permitting, and utility reconnection.
Temporary Power in Approximately Four Hours
On July 15, 2024, our team received the emergency service call and worked directly with a generator rental company to expedite a 150-kVA generator’s availability and transportation to the property.
Temporary power was restored by approximately 4:15 PM—about four hours after the initial request. Restoring refrigeration and freezer operation was a priority for the grocery tenant, helping protect perishable inventory during the outage.
The generator continued supplying the affected tenant spaces while permanent repairs and utility approvals were completed.
Replacing the Underground Service
The damaged service infrastructure ran between the ComEd transformer and the building’s rear multi-tenant meter bank. Its route crossed an active service drive used for frequent deliveries, with numerous existing underground utilities nearby.
Directional boring was considered, but the buried utilities would have required extensive excavation to expose and protect them. LH Block selected open trenching with our own excavation equipment as the more practical approach.
Our crew saw-cut and excavated the pavement, then installed new parallel underground conduits and electrical feeders between the transformer and meter bank. Work proceeded in hot July conditions, adding to the demands of excavation and installation.
Throughout the repair, the team coordinated around deliveries and vehicle activity to manage the work area and minimize disruption to the occupied property.
Expedited Permitting & Utility Coordination
ComEd required an electrical permit before authorizing reconnection of the replacement service conductors. LH Block worked with the Village of Glendale Heights to expedite permitting and coordinated the utility requirements for permanent restoration.
ComEd was also operating in storm mode, so a utility crew was not immediately available to reconnect the replacement service cables. The generator had to remain in operation while LH Block waited for ComEd to assign an available crew.
Project Results
Once a ComEd crew became available, utility power was restored on July 18, 2024, returning the four affected tenant spaces to normal electrical service.
From rapid generator mobilization to excavation in an active delivery area, the project brought emergency response, underground electrical work, and utility coordination together. Temporary power addressed the immediate business needs while replacement infrastructure resolved the underlying service problem.
Commercial Electrical Repairs in Glendale Heights
LH Block Electric supports commercial properties throughout Chicagoland’s western suburbs with electrical repairs, service upgrades, and commercial electrical installations. Contact our team to discuss your property’s electrical needs.