Article Summary: The Village of Manhattan has awarded a $547,449 contract to Speece Construction for a significant sewer and water main extension project along the US 52, Smith Road, and Gougar Road corridor, a strategic move aimed at spurring future commercial development.

US 52 Utility Extension Key Points:

• The project extends a 12-inch ductile iron water main and an 8-inch sanitary sewer to serve undeveloped properties.

• A $300,000 state grant secured by State Rep. Anthony DeLuca will partially fund the project.

• The village’s remaining cost of approximately $247,000 will be recouped from future developers who connect to the new infrastructure.

MANHATTAN – In a move to make a key commercial corridor more attractive for development, the Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday awarded a contract for more than half a million dollars to extend water and sewer service along U.S. Route 52.

The board voted unanimously to award the $547,449 bid to Speece Construction. The project includes the extension of a 12-inch water main south from Smith Road and west under U.S. 52 to Gougar Road, as well as an 8-inch sanitary sewer extension from the Wauponsee Interceptor sewer east to the U.S. 52 intersection.

The project is designed to eliminate a major barrier for potential developers. “Hopefully it’ll attract some new business there because when they buy a property and they have to put a half a million or a million into a water main, it’s not feasible,” Mayor Mike Adrieansen explained.

The village secured a $300,000 grant for the project through the office of State Representative Anthony DeLuca. The remaining balance of the contract, approximately $247,449, will be covered by the village upfront but will be subject to a recapture agreement. This means future developers who buy and build on the now-serviced land will be required to reimburse the village for the infrastructure costs.

Trustee Tom Doyle voiced his support for the project. “I just think it’s a good project. I mean, I think it’d be good to use this grant money and it’ll attract more businesses for us,” he said.

The bid opening took place earlier on Tuesday, and Speece Construction was identified as the lowest responsible bidder. The new infrastructure will provide essential utilities for future development connections along a major thoroughfare in the village.