Gurnee reviews accomplishments, goals for new 5-year strategic plan

Gurnee Village Administrator Patrick Muetz said a goal of the new five-year strategic plan was to make sure it didn't gather dust.

Toward that end, village department heads took turns at a meeting Monday night reviewing accomplishments from this year and looking ahead to what needs to get done.

Mayor Kristina Kovarik said the strategic plan is a way to improve operations. She said such planning is common among corporations.

"This (plan), the department heads have really embraced it and they really recognize the value for trying to achieve things beyond just their day-to-day responsibilities," Kovarik said. "This is the fun stuff. This is really what makes the organization tick. It moves us ahead."

Economic Development Director Ellen Dean said a goal in the plan will be accomplished July 11-12 when experts from the Urban Land Institute will visit to brainstorm ideas on how best to revitalize Grand Avenue east of Route 41 up to the Waukegan border.

"The big day is almost here," Dean said.

Another goal that was achieved was the start of Pace bus service to the Six Flags Great America employee entrance.

Dean said it's hoped a "major manufacturer" follows through with a proposed 60,000-square-foot expansion that could create 30 to 40 jobs.

On the communications front, Assistant to the Village Administrator Jack Linehan said a Facebook page was launched as planned in January and has gained about 1,000 "likes." Plans call for village board recordings to be placed on YouTube in an effort to encourage viewership.

Gurnee's website also is being redesigned to improve transparency, Linehan said.

Village Engineer Scott Drabicki said plans to improve pedestrian access are underway and were spurred by the five-year strategic plan.

"It really is nice to have this kind of document we can make decisions by," Drabicki said.