Grayslake Park retains smokestack, history at factory site

By Gregory Harutunian For Chronicle Media

The word “Gelatin” is visible on the side of the former factory smokestack, with the town water tower in the distance. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

An 80-foot smokestack with “Grayslake” on one side and “Gelatin” on the other side marks the spot of a 9.2-acre park with a cardio hill, and plenty of open space at 40 E. Railroad Avenue.

The site’s history is reflected in the smokestack and its long history of employment and identification for the village as the Grayslake Gelatin Company. The park also serves as the culmination of a project that removed hazardous materials, added amenities, and fit into the scheme of a comprehensive plan for public open space.

The Grayslake Gelatin Company was effectively closed and shuttered in 1982, but the origins at the site included the town’s first canning factory in 1904, the Wisconsin Condensed Milk Company opening its own spot there in 1912 later bought out by the Nestle Company in 1919. The two locations were eventually merged into the gelatin operation in 1922.

The buildings, along with the iconic 80-foot smokestack, sat abandoned and neglected until December 2015 when the Village of Grayslake itself purchased the 9.2-acre parcel for $30,000. However the acquisition and transformation came with its own inherent problems.

“It’s a historic site for the town with the first canning factory in 1904, the gelatin factory also meant a lot and was a key symbol for Grayslake, which is why the park is named such,” said Assistant Village Administrator Brett Kryska. “The park officially opened in November 2019, although the landscaping is in the final stages.

“There was the environmental remedial clean-up with an assessment before the actions of landscaping, and demolition of the buildings. There was also environmental contamination leading to the removal of hazardous ground materials and clean soil on top,” he said. “There are a lot of steps taken to be environmentally safe, before the park construction begins.”

The village spent $543,800 for demolition of the factory structures and the removal of lead asbestos materials in 2016. The Wauconda-based Berger Excavating, Inc. was awarded a $1.28 million contract unanimously in April 2018, for the company to develop the site including infrastructure, grading, bike paths, and the feature of a 25-foot hill for seasonal uses.

The focal point of attention turned to the smokestack, as a matter of history and preservation. The

iconic symbol even survived an EF-1 tornado in August 2015. To ensure the village’s specifications and vision for the restoration of the smokestack, it hired St. Louis-based Gerard Chimney Company, which specializes in such renovations with its $239,400 bid, with later add-ons of a little more than $24,000. Chicago-based HDR Services was retained as consultants to oversee the project guidelines and progress of the work.

“This was an open bid process, as mandated, and it followed the steps,” said Village Attorney Robert Pickerell.

The village outlined a 164-page contract concerning the smokestack project alone.

The sidewalk and pathways are part of the Gelatin Park landscape portion. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

“HDR was the consultant on it … how to restore a structure like this,” said Kryska. “The village stated exactly what they wanted to see, how they wanted it done, and to be able to observe the performance of the contract.”

The itemized details included drawings for elevations, rim and lintel details, lighting, masonry design and construction to code, tuck-pointing and structural stabilization. The removal of deteriorated brick was to match the existing brickwork, and steel bars to reinforce the concrete and brick base. Most important was the provision to clean, paint, and restore the rings, rails, and lettering. The finished product would have uniformity to the original colors and aesthetic appeal.

The entire park project has been tabbed at $2.52 million, albeit there are no outstanding construction bills, Kryska said.

“The funding came from the General Capital Funds Revenue, which is the state sales and use taxes, host fees for the landfill on Route 83, the shared tax allotted to municipalities. We also have money allocated to purchases,” he said.

Gelatin Park, with all of its public amenities, has actually become an extension of the 60-acre Central Park and its northeast proximity.

“This is the Village board’s concept, and they have put in a key link, from the downtown to Central Park,” said Kryska. “We’re happy how the project turned out.”