What's Happening at Columbia Arena on University Avenue in Fridley?

Not much happens most of the time at the old Columbia Arena on University Avenue NE, but when there is activity there, people notice. A couple people contacted Fridley Patch via our Facebook page and  about what's going on at the arena, where trucks and other equipment has appeared recently. 

Here is how City of Fridley Community Development Director Scott Hickok explained the situation via email: 

Currently CenterPoint Energy is using the parking area of the former arena for staging their pipe and equipment for a . They anticipate they will use the lot for about 6 months. As for the on that site, the owner/developer has been meeting with staff and providing updates as he and his design folks re-work the development plans he originally submitted. He hopes to begin a project before yearend. [links added]

Drivers on southbound East River Road can expect to find one lane only in parts of Fridley starting Monday.