Mayor hints something in works for Gurnee Mills
Potentially significant development at a major tourist attraction and new business-friendly actions were among the issues touched on by Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik in her annual State of the Village address.
Originally planned for an outdoor barbecue setting, Kovarik wound up giving the address to local leaders inside Monday evening at Bittersweet Golf Club. It was the first time her talk, sponsored by the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce, was held at night and at the golf course.
“We wanted to be a little less stuffy and more interactive,” Kovarik said. “People network more in a less formal atmosphere. I think it went well.”
Kovarik provided cryptic news about possible new development at Gurnee Mills, which state tourism figures show typically attracts about 22 million visitors annually. Gurnee Mills is owned by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group.
“We are now working with Simon Group to make sure this is a win-win for both,” Kovarik said. “There has to be significant (return on investment) to make the deals worthy of tax dollars. I will be bringing proposals to the village board over the summer. Stay tuned.”
Kovarik said Thursday that, at this time, she cannot reveal specifics about the Gurnee Mills proposals. She said there has been much negotiating over the village's level of financial assistance and one of two deals with Simon would be for “a fairly substantial new development effort.”
Gurnee and Simon struck a major deal in 2011 that led to Macy's opening in the village two years later. Village trustees approved spending a maximum of $10 million in public money borrowed through a bond sale for upgrades at Gurnee Mills so Macy's could locate there.
In her speech, Kovarik also touted new business-friendly zoning initiatives. Special permits no longer are necessary for al fresco dining at restaurants, sandwich boards promoting a business, or outdoor sales areas.
Gurnee will continue its effort to stay a balanced community, Kovarik said. As part of that goal, she said, the village is on board with projects such as supportive living for seniors or age-restricted housing for adults without children.
“We remain lukewarm on single-family housing to ensure that the existing housing stock retains its value,” she said.