Warren-Newport library floats idea to include 'book' in Gurnee street name

Officials at Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee have an idea for a visible street name change that would reflect the facility's main business.

Under the concept, Brookhaven Road would be changed to “Book Haven.” While the library's official address is 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Brookhaven is the east-west street that runs toward the building's parking lot.

But Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik didn't embrace the suggestion when it resurfaced at a library board buildings and grounds committee meeting this week. Kovarik said while well meaning, a name change would cause problems for homes and businesses on Brookhaven.

Instead, she said Tuesday, she wants the library to consider installing an unofficial Book Haven street sign on its property at the main entrance off Brookhaven.

Another option is for the library to seek an honorary Book Haven sign for placement under the green, illuminated Brookhaven marker above busy O'Plaine, but Kovarik said that would entail difficulties.

“Now, we've got to work with (Lake County) to put that honorary sign up there. I don't even know if they can put a double sign up there,” she said.

Kovarik said Gurnee also lacks a formal policy governing honorary street signs. Village Administrator Patrick Muetz said his department will survey other communities for such policies in an effort to create one for Gurnee.

Warren-Newport Executive Director Stephen Bero said the suggestions not involving a change to Brookhaven are worth considering. He said Book Haven would be “a cute public relations sign up there.”

Bero said the library's buildings and grounds committee will discuss the Book Haven idea again before deciding on a course of action.

Kovarik said any desire to rename Brookhaven can't be compared to the village board agreeing to change North Avenue in 2012. The road was renamed to honor longtime Village Administrator James Hayner upon his retirement.

Hayner Avenue is a short street running east from O'Plaine Road and leading to the village hall parking lot but does not have any addresses for buildings.

“That is the only (Gurnee) street that had nothing on it,” Kovarik said.

It's not unusual for suburban buildings to have a public street name matching the uses.

For example, Grayslake Public Library District is at 100 Library Lane. Lincolnshire's Stevenson High School is at 1 Stevenson Drive.