Manhattan Moves Ahead With Master Plan For Downtown Redevelopment

MANHATTAN, IL — Manhattan officials on Tuesday signed off on a master plan for the development of its downtown, aimed at "attracting new businesses while maintaining the small-town charm," according to a release.

The document has been in progress since early discussions in August 2022, which were followed by sessions with stakeholders, meetings with local taxing body parties, and open houses to engage the public. An open house was held immediately prior to the Oct. 17 Village Board meeting.

"The unanimous approval of the plan by the Trustees is a significant step in continuing the process of improving the retail and entertainment amenities for residents," said Mayor Mike Adrieansen.

"We genuinely appreciate the level of participation by residents and business owners who took their time to provide valuable input in the process. We want to assure everyone this is living document that will evolve over time and will require further input going forward."

An open house in June drew 300 residents, officials said, giving them an opportunity to view draft plans and interact with Adrieansen and trustees, as well as discuss the plan with the Village’s consultants Farnsworth Group, on the project. In addition, presentation materials have been available on the Village’s website.

"The mayor and our staff have been pleased to hear from several interested private sector businesses who have seen the draft plan and are already interested in exploring opportunities within the downtown area," said Village Administrator Nick Palmer. "Village staff will collaborate with the Mayor and trustees to formalize the next steps in this larger effort and will be sharing details with the public very soon."

Local taxing bodies playing a part in discussions of the project have included the Manhattan Park District, Manhattan-Elwood Library District, and the Manhattan Fire Protection District, officials said.

"In addition to attracting new investment downtown, the Village will also be launching initiatives to beautify the downtown area and propose measures to reduce and address safety concerns and truck traffic on Rt. 52," Adrieansen said. "Further, the Village is exploring marketing to developers who could invest in new construction in Manhattan. We have much work ahead, and we will continue to engage with our residents and businesses going forward."