Community Corner
Parts of Downtown Biz District to be Without Electricity Up to 36 Hours This Weekend
Part of the downtown Redlands business district is expected to be without electricity for up to 36 hours this weekend, when Southern California Edison plans to replace three aging transformers, according to city officials.
"In order to mitigate the impact to local businesses, SCE crews will shut down power beginning at midnight Saturday July 27," Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said in a statement. "The work is expected to take from 24 to 36 hours to complete. SCE expects power to be restored between midnight Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday morning."
The transformers that need replacing are in the area of State and Fifth streets, Baker said.
"Replacement of the transformers will require a full power shutdown until the new transformers are installed," Baker said.
The power outage is expected to impact the area bounded by State Street on the north, Vine Street on the south, Orange and Cajon streets on the west, and Sixth Street on the east, Baker said. The affected area includes businesses on each of those streets and the Redlands Civic Center complex.
"Redlands Police will provide additional patrol to the downtown business district during the power outage," Baker said. "While local traffic signals are not expected to be affected, public safety and Quality of Life personnel are prepared should additional traffic control measures be required. City staff have been in contact with local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to provide additional support."
During the power outage, some city services will be affected or unavailable including online bill paying through RedConnect, online GIS mapping information, and email communications with city staff, Baker said.
"Public safety personnel remind business owners that phone systems requiring electricity will not be operational and owners should consider measures, such as cell phones, if phone service is required during the power outage," Baker said. "Those businesses with alarm services should notify their service provider of the planned outage."
Southern California Edison has notified all affected businesses of the outage, Baker said.
"Some businesses within the affected areas may still have power and others may choose to connect to privately supplied generators in order to continue operations during the outage," Baker said.
Replacement of the transformers was determined necessary after equipment failures on Monday July 15 caused wide outages to the area, Baker said.
"It took SCE crews several hours and use of a generator to temporarily restore power to the area," Baker said. "SCE personnel notified City staff of the need for the shutdown and contacted local businesses."
Baker said anyone with questions about the planned power outage can contact Southern California Edison:
SCE Customer Service – 800-655-4555
SCE Concerns/Complaints – 800-655-4555
SCE Claims Department – 800-251-3311
In addition, Baker said, updates on the status of the outage are expected to be posted at www.sce.com/outage.
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