GENESEO, Ill. — Geneseo is looking to expand its renewable energy efforts. The city council voted to conduct a survey of the proposed site, but some residents worry about the impact on one of the city's parks.
The city currently has a solar array and pair of wind turbines south of I-80 that generates about four kilowatts of power. A new solar project would bring an additional two kilowatts to the north side of town to power facilities like the hospital and high school.
The proposed site is on the north side of Roos Hill Road near a public works burn pit and police shooting range. It's also next to Prairie Park, drawing concern from some residents.
Scott Schaufner is the trail steward for Prairie Park. He works with nonprofit Quad Cities Friends of Off-Road Cycling. He said he's worried about parking and trail access once a perimeter fence is installed around the solar array.
"Obviously with a fence around the area, it's gonna decrease the amount of trails that we do have access to," Schaufner said.
When he voiced his concerns at the city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, members offered to work with him on modifying the plans.
"I'm hopeful. I'm very hopeful that we can come to an agreement and make a lot of people happy," Schaufner said.
Online, the conversation was much more heated. A petition against the project gained more than 350 signatures, but there was limited public comment.
In response, the proposed site was modified, opting to leave the prairie along Route 82 alone. The city said putting the project on its own land saves them money and keeps people away from the shooting range.
Once the survey is done, the solar company will create a more precise plan to present to the council. The upper estimate of the cost is about $4.4 million, with about $1 million in green energy incentives from the state. The city has the option to buy the array after a few years, then continue operating it for its 30-40-year lifespan.
If others have concerns about the project, the mayor encourages community members to reach out to him and the council. The solar company expects to complete the project by 2026.