Groveland Twp.- Following a 7-0 vote at a special township planning commission meeting, Consumers Energy has moved one step closer to construction of a new service center.
On Tuesday, township planning officials and Consumers Energy representatives which included Chris Laser, facilities project manager, and Ursula Warren, area manager, attended the special meeting to discuss plans for a new 21,133 square foot complex near Dixie Highway and Shields Road. The facility will be located on about 21 acres of property owned by Consumers Energy.
Construction should begin in July with completion in April, said Laser.
‘The service complex will consolidate current facilities in Pontiac and Lapeer,? he said. ‘About 40 employees will be working from the new location.?
Consumers Energy selected the township due to the high number of natural gas customers located in the area. The new facility is a LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). A LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification the building was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
In addition to office space, the building will have space for vehicle repair for Consumers Energy equipment and four electrical charging sites for vehicles. There will entrances off both Dixie Highway and Shields Road.
‘It’s an ideal site for Consumers Energy to build a facility,? said Bob DePalma, township supervisor. ‘The land has been owned by Consumers Energy for many years and given the close proximity to I-75 makes a great use for the property.?