Gurnee invests in art and coffee as new uses for empty spaces on Grand Avenue
Gurnee is investing in the arts and coffee to fill longtime vacancies on Grand Avenue.
Redevelopment agreements approved this week by the village board call for separate incentive packages for operators of Dandelion Art Gallery & Studios and Biggby Coffee.
Both are new to town, although Dandelion has been a fixture in downtown Waukegan and is expanding while the Biggby store, to be opened by Gurnee residents Salwan and Dana Zakariya, would be the first in Lake County.
Dandelion plans to renovate 5,000 square feet of the former Computer Systems Institute space in the Northern Lights shopping center at 5320-5340 Grand Ave., across from Six Flags Great America.
The 30,000-square-foot building has been vacant 10 years. As planned, the interior would be subdivided for Dandelion and include a gallery/studio, classrooms, immersive art exhibits and event space.
Approved incentives total about $75,000 including a $45,000 contribution toward construction costs associated with subdividing and equipping the space with new restrooms and electrical work. Dandelion also will receive $10,000 per year for three years toward the lease.
As with the agreement with Biggby Coffee, reimbursements for construction aren’t made until the projects are done, paid for and the businesses open.
Beyond Espresso LLC, doing business as Biggby, will be reimbursed $50,000 of an estimated $370,000 total construction cost to remodel the former Jimmy John's space at 3430 Grand Ave. to a coffee shop/cafe.
It also will receive sales and food and beverage tax rebates up to $100,000 or five years, whichever comes first. Biggby’s agrees to remain open for five years, according to the agreement.
The franchise has 450 locations in 13 states but is relatively new to Illinois with fewer than a dozen locations.
“As you know, there are many options out there for popular coffee brands and many communities that would welcome them,” said Ellen Dean, economic development director.
The couple initially looked west but was guided to the eastern part of Grand Avenue, which the village has targeted for reinvestment. Work already is underway with a July opening planned.
Dandelion is a nonprofit at 109 S. Genesee St., on the Waukegan River in the city's art district. It hosts exhibitions, classes and events and works with schools, libraries and community groups among other activities.
That facility won’t close but a second location was being sought because a pending bridge reconstruction project will impede access.
Growth also is a reason, according to Deanna Cruz, president and co-founder.
She said the new location will be more performance-based and attract talent from across and beyond Lake County in hopes of helping shape Gurnee into a thriving cultural and art destination.
“We contribute to the ecosystem that fuels both cultural richness and economic vitality,” she explained to the village board.
Trustee Kevin Woodside acknowledged the Dandelion incentive was a departure from that typical for capital improvement or redevelopment. The return may be harder to measure but is a response to a community need, he added.
“It's a move in a direction to invest differently in our community but I appreciate that,” he said.