Gurnee Mills plans $4.8 million renovation

As Gurnee Mills hits its 20th anniversary this year, plans are rolling out for a $4.8 million renovation of the property.

The mall announced a three-year plan to upgrade the shopping center through a sales tax income reimbursement from the village. An array of mall updates will be made through the $5 million reimbursement agreement to share sales tax income between the village and the outlet mall, said Michelle Rice, director of marketing at Gurnee Mills.

The initial phase of the upgrade, scheduled to begin this summer, involves updating three of the most-used bathrooms.

The bathrooms located at the two food courts as well as near entrance B at the middle of the mall will be updated. There are a total of 10 public restroom areas at the Lake County mall.

The $1.4 million restroom upgrade involves adding more family facilities including nursing and diaper changing areas. Granite countertops, touchless soap dispensers and stainless steel stalls will also be added to the bathroom areas, Rice said.

Next year, the mall will spend $1.8 million to modernize and redesign the four major entrances with enhanced signs and lighting at the 1.8 million square-foot mall.

"We're moving away from the agricultural theme and moving in a more modern direction," Rice said. "We're bringing it into the current century."

In 2012, the mall's owner, Simon Co., will spend $1.6 million to enhance the parking lots and add more comfortable seating in the food courts and common areas.

"We're in a great position to offer more to our community," Rice said. "The village sees this as a long-term investment for the mall. It's a win, win deal."

She added that the enhancements provide a ripple effect for the regional shopping center as the enhancements will attract additional shoppers and retailers.

"It's a way for us to continue to grow and improve," she said.