Gurnee to eliminate more homes from flood area

Gurnee will provide cash and services to help other government agencies remove three homes from a flood-prone area near the Des Plaines River.

Village Administrator James Hayner said the three houses will be purchased and demolished under a continuing program to create more green space near the river in an effort to soak up flood water. About 20 houses have been removed from the river area's flood zone over the years, officials said.

Trustees this week voted 6-0 in favor of the village contributing $100,000 toward an estimated $590,000 needed to buy out the homeowners. Gurnee also will provide labor for demolition and site removal.

Gurnee will work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Lake County Stormwater Management Commission to get rid of the flood-prone homes. Officials said the prices to be paid for the houses were set from 2008 fair market values before the residential housing decline.

Hayner said the land could be cleared by June. The village included the $100,000 for its share of the project in the current budget.

Lake County Forest Preserve District's Des Plaines River Trail runs near the three homes pegged for demolition. Hayner said the forest district has shown "pretty keen interest" in acquiring the land after the homes are razed.