After a number of restaurants and other retailers in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of Northwest D.C. found themselves without power intermittently in recent weeks, electric utility Pepco believes it has taken steps to address the problem.
The company replaced three existing transformers with higher capacity models, according to Pepco spokesman Marcus Beal. The new transformers were all in the area affected by the outages in recent weeks, near the internsection of Rhode Island Avenue NW and First St. NW.
Two more new transformers will be installed next week, one at Flagler Place and V Street NW and another on Rhode Island between North Capitol and First streets NW.
“We were able to identify some equipment that is need of upgrades using some of our smart meter technology,” Beal said.
The outages were in part due to the fast growth of restaurants and businesses in the Bloomingdale neighborhood; what a few years ago was a relatively desolate area for retailers now bustles with restaurants, bars, a bakery and more.
Some of those, including The Red Hen, Boundary Stone and Bacio Pizzeria, were frustrated two weeks ago by the unexpected outages during prime service times on nights and weekends. The three transformers were installed overnight on a recent Monday to avoid similar business disruptions, Beal said.
The two other pieces of equipment will be installed on Aug. 12 and Aug. 14.
