Mayoral candidates have ideas for old Gurnee

Gurnee's mayoral candidates are offering different ideas on what should be done with the less-than-vibrant original part of town known as the village center.

Voters will select from Mayor Kristina Kovarik, Trustee Greg Garner and resident Anthony "Tony" Maniscalco in the April 7 election.

Running along on Old Grand Avenue near busy Route 132, the village center has a hodgepodge of activity such as offices, a church, bank, school and buildings with historic character. The west part of the area where Old Grand meets Route 132 near the Des Plaines River is Gurnee's well-known flood zone.

Maniscalco, who made an unsuccessful run to win a trustee post in 2005, said he'd push for construction of a Metra commuter rail depot at Old Grand Avenue in an effort to jump-start village center. He'd also push for consideration of creating a river walk area to take advantage of the Des Plaines.

With a train station in place, said Maniscalco, small retailers and other development could be pursued. He said his idea for having the depot is realistic and that he's researching the cost and other specifics.

"We can make it Gurnee's little downtown area," said Maniscalco, 51.

Kovarik, who bested Donald Rudny to become mayor in 2005, said village center redevelopment would have to occur east of O'Plaine Road and the flood zone. If re-elected, she said she'd push for a revised comprehensive plan to address village center's rebirth, which could include small shops and a coffeehouse while preserving the area's historic character.

One significant move she cited during her tenure as mayor was working with Gurnee Park District Executive Director Susie Kuruvilla to move a weekly summer farmers market from a Viking Park lot to Petersen Park at Old Grand and Route 132 for higher visibility.

"Village center is always going to be important," said Kovarik, 51. "You want to celebrate that charm where Gurnee started."

Garner, who Kovarik appointed as a Gurnee trustee in September 2005, said the Old Grand Avenue strip should be part of a long-range plan. He said redeveloping the area would take a back seat to other pressing needs, such as improving Gurnee Mills.

Remaking the original part of Gurnee into a restaurant row is one possibility that would be worth exploring, said Garner, 51.

"There has been no real plan to set us apart as a community of Gurnee," Garner said.