Library Board Proposes Land-for-Services Swap with Village of Elwood for Mississippi Lot

Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Meeting | January 26, 2026

Article Summary: The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Board voted to offer a piece of property to the Village of Elwood in exchange for municipal services and the coverage of historical land transfer costs.

224 Mississippi Lot Key Points:

• The library is offering to transfer ownership of a lot located at 224 Mississippi to the Village of Elwood.

• In exchange for the land, the library is asking the village for “services” rather than a direct cash purchase.

• The proposal stipulates that the village must cover the costs of transferring land ownership, as well as incurred costs from previous years.

The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Board of Trustees on Monday, January 26, 2026, voted unanimously to advance a potential real estate transaction, offering a vacant lot to the Village of Elwood in a proposed land-for-services exchange.

The property in question is located at 224 Mississippi. The parcel’s future has been an ongoing topic for the board, listed under Old Business on the January agenda as “224 Mississippi Lot Options.”

Rather than listing the property on the open commercial market, the board opted to approach the local municipal government with a structured trade agreement. Trustee Keri English made a motion to officially offer the land to the Village of Elwood. According to the approved motion, the library is asking for municipal “services” in exchange for the parcel, rather than a traditional cash buyout.

Furthermore, the board’s offer includes specific financial stipulations to protect the library district’s budget. The motion requires that the Village of Elwood cover all costs associated with transferring the land ownership, in addition to reimbursing the library for unspecified “incurred costs from previous years” tied to the property.

Trustee Sharon Gill seconded the motion, which passed unanimously with a roll call vote. The proposal will now be sent to Elwood village officials for review and potential negotiation.