Solar Developer Commits Up to $800,000 for Smith Road Improvements
February 11, 2025/Comments Off on Solar Developer Commits Up to $800,000 for Smith Road Improvements
Summit Ridge Energy, a solar farm developer, has committed to providing up to $800,000 for the engineering and construction of improvements along Smith Road, Manhattan Township officials announced Tuesday.
The significant financial contribution is part of a road use agreement negotiated between Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas and Township Attorney Cass Wennlund. The funds are intended to subsidize upgrades needed to accommodate the developer’s project.
According to the meeting minutes, the $800,000 commitment is not sufficient to cover the entire scope of the planned project, which involves widening Smith Road from Cedar Road to Kankakee Street. However, officials stated that the funds will “subsidize the majority of the project.”
The agreement provides a substantial boost to the township’s infrastructure efforts, leveraging private development to fund public road improvements. Details regarding the timeline for the Smith Road project and how the township will cover the remaining costs have not yet been announced.
Latest News Stories
Manhattan Board Changes Meeting Time, Limits Public Comment
Village moves to 5:30 p.m. start time and reduces speaking period from five to three minutes The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees approved two ordinance changes Tuesday that will...
Manhattan Challenges Neighboring Villages to Pop Tab Competition
Community fundraising effort for Ronald McDonald House expands to include multiple villages The Village of Manhattan has officially challenged neighboring communities to a summer-long pop tab collection competition benefiting the...
Manhatttan Village Board Meeting Briefs
MUNICIPAL UPDATES Memorial Day Services Planned: The I Honor Banner Ceremony will take place Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Manhattan Township Building, 230 S. Wabash Street. The ceremony dedicates...
Frankfort Township Approves Employee Raises, Details Major Infrastructure and Service Projects
Frankfort Township employees will receive a 2.5% cost-of-living pay increase after the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the adjustment at its Monday, May 19 meeting. The move came as Supervisor...
Fire Station Construction Bids Due June 3, Storm Generates 40 Emergency Calls
The Manhattan Fire Protection District has received strong interest from contractors for its new fire station project, with construction bids due back June 3 and groundbreaking still targeted for July....
New High-End Bar ‘Ace & Vine’ Gets Green Light from Township Board
A new bar focused on high-end liquor and an extensive wine collection is one step closer to opening in Frankfort Township after the Board of Trustees voted to recommend a...
Fire District Maintains Strong Call Volume, Equipment Readiness
The Manhattan Fire Protection District is maintaining steady emergency response capabilities while addressing routine equipment maintenance needs across its two-station operation. Deputy Chief Dave Piper's April operational report showed continued...
Golf Carts Not Permitted on Township Roads, Supervisor Clarifies
Residents hoping to drive golf carts on roads in unincorporated Frankfort Township are out of luck, as the practice is illegal under state law, Supervisor Nick George clarified at the...
Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for May 19, 2025
The Frankfort Township Board approved a 2.5% cost-of-living raise for its employees and discussed several major projects at its meeting on Monday, May 19. Supervisor Nick George announced that the...
Fire District May 19 Board Meeting Briefs
Board Actions Delayed: The swearing-in of new Trustee Mike Shivers was postponed until the next board meeting. The board voted to retain current leadership positions rather than reorganizing roles. Records...
Will County Board Rejects Two Solar Farm Projects After Heated Public Opposition
New Lenox area residents cite safety concerns, property values in opposing commercial solar facilities The Will County Board voted decisively against two proposed commercial solar energy facilities during its May...
County Approves $15 Million Water System Takeover for Southeast Joliet Area
700 homes to receive upgraded service as Joliet takes control of failing sanitary district The Will County Board voted 20-1 to support dissolving the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District and transferring...
Board Postpones County Purchasing Code Overhaul Amid Union Contractor Debate
Members seek clarification on requirements that could favor unionized businesses The Will County Board postponed action on proposed changes to county purchasing ordinances after members raised concerns about language that...
New Frankfort Square Park Board Takes Helm Amid Strong Financials, Maksymiak and Moore Elected Leaders
The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners seated four new members and re-elected its leadership during a productive annual organizational meeting on May 15, all while celebrating a robust...
Animal Permit Hearing Reveals Neighborhood Disputes Over Horses, Roosters in Crete Township
Board postpones decision on Torres family request pending barn variance appeal A contentious hearing over Fernando Torres' request to keep horses on his Crete Township property exposed deep neighborhood divisions...