Those coming to attend events in the Village of Manhattan will soon have more parking options after the board unanimously approved the construction of a parking lot on Front Street.
The new lot, which will be situated along the railroad tracks on Front Street, will add 92 angled parking spaces. A sidewalk will be added along the parking lot.
“I know we talked about a lot too over the years, but the reason we’re doing this is to help alleviate some of the congestion downtown where people are parking in people’s yards during events,” Trustee Justin Young said.
“Then actually planning for future growth, not trying to catch up. So, this has been a long journey. I think it’s been on our list for like three years. So, I’m really excited to see it,” Young added.
Landscaping and fencing will be added in the spring.
This project will also include resurfacing Front Street, which was torn up due to water main work, as well as sidewalk repairs and improvements.
Austin Tyler was the lowest bidder and was awarded the job, which was budgeted at $314,945.70
Lincoln Generating Substation Gets Construction Yard
The village held a public hearing on the annexation and rezoning of 40 acres at Pauling Road and Kankakee Street for Earthrise Energy to use the property as a temporary construction yard for the Lincoln Generating substation.
“What they’re going to do is annex into the village, and then we would be able to put a little bit more restrictions on that process of what they’re going to do and use, and it’s temporary. So, they’re going to be it’s a monetary contribution they’re going to be making to the village.” Adrieansen explained, noting setbacks, uses, and other terms the village imposed that the developer agreed upon.
The construction would be temporary for a maximum of three years, and the company is obligated to restore the property to a pre-construction state. Solar panels will not be on this site, as the construction relates to the existing substation, which is within the village limits.
The board unanimously approved the agreement and corresponding ordinances.
Other News
The village approved the purchase of a 2017 snowplow for public works for $113,495, which is intended to replace a 2008 truck. The village will keep the older truck as a backup.
The board also approved the replacement of a force main in Sunset Lakes for $152,570 to be completed by Airy’s.
The six-inch sanitary force main near Bay to Bay Court in the Sunset Lake subdivision has experienced recurring pipe deterioration, blockage, and flow restrictions caused in part by multiple bends.
A 2017 police cruiser was declared surplus property due to high mileage and repair costs.
The board also approved an equipment loan agreement, such as the light tower or message board, which would allow the village to loan out village equipment as needed but with liability protections in place.