On April 12, the Gurnee Village Board will review a proposed Redevelopment Agreement with Kensington Development Group to facilitate construction of a new Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant on a new outlot adjacent to the former Lowe’s home improvement store at 7735 Grand Avenue. Construction would begin by the end of 2022, and the award-winning restaurant and winery, with 45 locations across 10 states, would open by fall 2023.   

Cooper’s Hawk would be joining the College of Lake County, which is transforming the former Lowe’s building into Lake County’s first Advanced Technology Center (ATC).  The ATC will offer expanded programming in automation, robotics and mechatronics, computer numerical control (CNC), and welding, supporting local manufacturers in meeting their workforce needs while providing education and career pathways to area students.

Mayor Kristina Kovarik remarked, “Providing outstanding local services without a property tax, as we have done for 21 years, requires a balanced economy, strong partnerships, and strategic investments. These exciting, new projects reflect those principles and the strength of the Gurnee market. Residents have been requesting a Cooper’s Hawk for years, and we are thrilled to bring it a big step closer to reality.”

The public hearing to review the proposed redevelopment agreement with Kensington Development Group will be held on Monday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Gurnee Village Hall (325 N O’Plaine). Video from the hearing will be posted to the Village’s YouTube channel following the meeting at: www.youtube.com/villageofgurnee.