Northpoint Expresses Interest In Annexing To Manhattan: Village

MANHATTAN, IL — The village of Manhattan said Northpoint Development has expressed its desire to begin a formal annexation process in Manhattan. The news from Manhattan comes after Northpoint filed a pre-annexation agreement with the city of Joliet for a 1,300-acre development, or 16.8 million square feet of building area, in its proposed Compass Business Park.

The village of Manhattan said the 1,300 acres is not within Manhattan's boundaries. The Joliet proposal is west and north of the land Manhattan has within its boundaries, according to an email from Northpoint.

The village said this is the first time they have heard from Northpoint since April 2019. At that time, Northpoint expressed interest in coming to Manhattan, and the board requested information on the project including a concept plan and a detailed traffic impact study, before any decision would be made.

Residents in the area have strongly opposed a Northpoint development in the area for years and created a group "Just Say No To Northpoint" to oppose the project. Comments on the village of Manhattan's Facebook page also reflect resident's opposition to the development.

"You will destroy this town if you proceed [with Northpoint]," one comment read.

"We do not need this or want this on our doorstep," another commenter said.

The Manhattan village board will meet Tuesday, although nothing about Northpoint is listed on the agenda. Patch has reached out to the village for more information.