The new Central Substation was built to remove approximately 51 MVA of load from the existing Eckert Substation in anticipation of the retirement of the Eckert generating station in the future. The design included 138 kV six position breaker-and-a-half scheme with three transformer positions and three line terminal positions. The transformers are 138-13.8 kV 18/24/30 MVA transformers that feed a dual line-up, 24-feeder, 3000A switchgear unit located in an electrical equipment enclosure. The enclosure houses control panels that provide control and protection for both the 138 kV equipment and the 13.8 kV switchgear. The control panels are separated from the switchgear by a wall. A SCADA RTU system with Human-Machine Interface (HMI) was also installed.

A decorative screen wall around the Substation includes a security perimeter that screens most of the substation equipment/structures and provides a visual diversion to the industrial look of the substation. Within the wall, the Historic Scott Sunken Garden was deconstructed from it’s original site and historically restored to this new location. In addition to the new garden, the site includes a new parking lot, overlook platform, staircase to the existing river trail south of the river and final landscape design including signage and site amenities.