The Northfield Township Road District (NTRD) has completed the purchase of a nearly 16-acre property that will serve as a stormwater detention basin for the Central Road Flood Control Project in South Glenview, Illinois.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) authorized the $8.15 million purchase of the 15.82-acre site from Ridgewood Cemetery Company, along with a 0.91-acre temporary construction easement. MWRD is funding the land acquisition and will lead the project’s design and construction.

The flood control project is intended to reduce flooding affecting approximately 130 single- and multi-family residential structures and several roadways along the Central Road corridor between the Des Plaines River and Glenwood Lane.

The project includes new mainline storm sewers beneath Central Road and Dearlove Road, along with lateral storm sewers on Glenwood Lane, Glendale Road, Glenshire Road and Hillside Road. The detention basin near Dee Road and Central Avenue will temporarily store stormwater during major rainfall events, reducing pressure on the existing drainage system.

Following construction, NTRD will assume long-term ownership and maintenance of improvements within its jurisdiction. The next steps include property due diligence, survey and staking work and continued design. MWRD aquatic biologists are also assessing the site’s environmental suitability for a potential transfer of turtles and fish.