Manhattan Annexes Historic Round Barn Farm; Plans for Wedding Venue Move Forward

Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees Meeting | December 2, 2025

Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board officially annexed the historic Round Barn Farm Park into the village limits, paving the way for the Manhattan Park District to operate a wedding and event venue on the site. The agreement establishes a revenue-sharing model where the village will receive a percentage of private event fees in exchange for providing water and police services.

Round Barn Farm Annexation Key Points:

• Annexation Scope: The village annexed approximately 90 acres of parkland, including the historic Round Barn.

• Revenue Sharing: The village will collect a 2.5% fee on all rental fees for private events hosted at the site.

• Services Provided: The village will extend water service to the property and assume police jurisdiction, replacing the Will County Sheriff’s Department for patrols and event security.

• Future Use: The Park District plans to transform the restored barn into a wedding venue while maintaining existing park amenities like trails and athletic fields.

MANHATTAN – The Peotone Village Board on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, unanimously approved a series of ordinances to annex, rezone, and grant a special use permit for the Round Barn Farm Park, solidifying a long-term partnership with the Manhattan Park District.

The legislative package brings the nearly 90-acre property, located at 24115 U.S. 52, into the village’s corporate limits. The board also rezoned the property to CR Conservation Recreation and approved a special use permit allowing the Park District to operate an event and banquet facility.

“Annexing the Round Barn has been an ongoing discussion with the park district for several years,” said Mayor Mike Adrieansen. “I do see the synergies with the park and the police department… It’s a good partnership. It shows that we’ve been working well together.”

Manhattan Park District Executive Director Jay Kelly addressed the board, noting that while the barn is being restored to serve as a venue, the general public use of the park will remain largely unchanged.

“The annexation is for the entire piece of property which is nearly 90 acres,” Kelly said. “We are restoring the barn. It’s almost complete. The next phase will be turning it into an event venue.”

Under the terms of the annexation agreement, the village will provide water service to the site. In return, the village will collect a 2.5% fee on all private events held at the facility. Additionally, the Manhattan Police Department will take over patrol duties from the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

“That’s going to be a huge benefit to us,” said Police Chief Jeff Gulli regarding the jurisdictional change. Gulli noted that the department is already coordinating with the Park District for upcoming events, including the “Winterfest” scheduled for the following Friday.

Trustee Bob Dilling asked about potential traffic changes, specifically if a new entrance would be constructed off Baker Road. Kelly stated there are no current plans for a public entrance on Baker Road, though an existing access point is maintained for emergency vehicles and park district operations.

“The ultimate goal is to get the park district’s operations out of the front of the park so that it’s more aesthetically pleasing and functional to the public,” Kelly said.

The board approved the annexation agreement, the annexation ordinance, the rezoning, and the special use permit in four separate unanimous votes.