Spring 2020 Generator

National Youth Administration
built original Loup warehouse
In 1941, Loup Power District was a young hydropower
company focused on selling to both private and public
power companies throughout Nebraska.
It had been generating power for about four years since
completion of the canal and powerhouses — a project
funded by a $7.3 million loan and grant from the Public
Works Administration.
In May that year, Loup moved its
offices into the new “Public Power
Building” at the corner of 23rd Avenue
and 20th Street in Columbus. It shared
the building with Consumers Public
Power District, and the Nebraska Public
Power System.
At the same time, construction
on a new warehouse and garage was
underway at 12th Avenue and 14th Street
in Columbus. The workers were in the National Youth
Administration — a New Deal agency designed to provide
work and education for young men and women between
the ages of 16 and 25.
They finished the building later that year.
In 1967, Loup and Consumers Public Power District
signed a realignment agreement. Loup began managing
Consumers’ retail customers in Nance, Boone, Platte, and
Colfax Counties and withdrew from statewide generation
and transmission. In return, Consumers replaced Loup
as the partner of the Platte Valley Public Power and
Irrigation District in operating the Nebraska Public Power
System.
Loup was about to provide retail power service for the
first time in its history.
On Jan. 1, 1970, Nebraska Public Power District formed
through the merger of Consumers Public Power District,
Platte Valley Public Power and Irrigation District, and the
Nebraska Public Power System.
These two events led to the creation of Loup as it is
today with both hydropower generation and retail power
service.
For a few years following this realignment, Loup’s
hydro crew continued working out of the original
warehouse. The retail employees worked out of a service
building on 11th Street and 27th Avenue in Columbus.
That would change in late 1973, when the retail
employees joined the hydro crew at the warehouse.
“Loup’s Warehouse will never be the
same! Workmen wielding hammers, saws
and paint brushes are in the process of
converting the structure into the District’s
new Service Center. When complete, the
project will bring Loup’s retail and hydro
operations under one roof for the first
time . . .
The two-part project, costing an estimated $167,000, is
scheduled for completion in December of this year.
The first part of involves the remodeling of the existing
structure, totaling about 23,200 square feet. Part of the
building formerly occupied by Nebraska Public Power
District equipment has been recently vacated, making more
room available for Loup’s operation.
Second, two additions, totaling about 3,000 square feet, will
be built onto the west side of the building. The first addition
will house the transformer shop and the second, the line
truck garage which will provide parking for four trucks. An
attached canopy will provide shelter for four additional
vehicles . . .
The project is expected to result in improved coordination
between the retail and hydro operations. Meanwhile, Shop
Superintendent Ralph Kopetzky admits that while the hydro
personnel are inconvenienced by the construction, they
are looking forward to working in the modern, improved
facilities.
— Loup Power District Generator, March 1973
Below: Space was at a premium in the old Columbus Service Center — especially when it came to trucks and equipment.
8 GENERATOR