The need for public open space was made especially evident during the Covid-19 lock downs which left many communities and neighborhoods without spaces to relax and recreate. While more prominent neighborhoods in Chicago have been able to close streets to accommodate for restaurant expansion, other communities have been struggling. The map above identifies dis-invested neighborhoods on the West and South side of Chicago that have been historically forgotten. The city has made these communities a priority for new development. Image Credit: LJC

Situated in the middle of the “Soul City Corridor” along Chicago Avenue identified by the City’s Invest SouthWest initiative, PopCourts is part of a larger vision to bring development to Chicago’s underinvested, and primarily black and brown communities. Image Credit: Anezka Gocova

POPCourts was designed as an armature for gathering, engagement, and change. The project includes three zones, “Courts,” each serving a variety of community functions, with the programming meant to be flexible, allowing activities to “Pop” up and transform over time. The basketball court doubles as a community plaza. The gravel drive will host food trucks, farmers market and other seasonal vendors, and the shaded lawn functions as a Food Court with casual seating. Image Credit: LJC

Imagined as a respite from the struggles brought on by the pandemic, PopCourts provides much-needed outdoor amenity space in the heart of the Austin neighborhood in Chicago. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

The chosen site has a long history of violence and unrest and has laid vacant for years. Located on a prominent corner of Chicago Avenue and at the center of the Soul City Corridor, the site has potential to become a catalyst for change in the community. Image Credit: Anezka Gocova

The project has garnered a lot of community support. Neighbors and stakeholders gathered at the groundbreaking in late October of 2020. Despite the chilly weather, the event was bustling with community energy and engaged several local food vendors, a farmer’s market as well as local businesses. Image Credit: Anezka Gocova

The construction fences came down very early in the process. The team decided that the site should be open and visible to the community, so they would be aware of the new amenity taking shape in their neighborhood. Residents were able to walk the courts, look at large renderings of the design, and envision what the space would look like when complete. Image Credit: Anezka Gocova

The design team considered several factors when coming up with the framework for the street painting. The design needed to first and foremost attract the neighborhood to the site and display the liveliness of Austin. The following concepts demonstrate how the design can expand outward past the confines of the parcel; connecting with the neighborhood and adjacent businesses and gathering energy to the site. The “rays” framework was chosen as the final design because it provided a canvas for community artists to fill in their own designs on vertical surfaces and was simple enough to be painted by volunteers on the ground plane. Image Credit: LJC

The colorful painting on the site, spills out into the street and sidewalk is meant to invite the community in. Community volunteers gathered on May 15th, 2021 to assist in painting of the basketball court. On the day of the event, passerby cars slowed down, honked in support and some even got out to help paint. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

Artwork brings the project together, figuratively and literally. Local artists were engaged to paint murals on the adjacent building walls. The final piece, entitled “An Ode to our Ancestors” depicts strong African American figures and community organizers and is meant to serve as inspiration for the Austin community and especially the youth that live there Image Credit: Missy Perkins

The space was designed so that it could transform depending on the time of week, month and season to accommodate various events, support local businesses and foster community connections. Image Credit: LJC

The final ribbon cutting took place on June 17th 2021 and was attended by the mayor, who inspired by the project made a promise to build many more like it across the city. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

A key concept behind PopCourts was the ability of the site to provide a space for local vendors to showcase and sell their work. During special events and weekends, the paved basketball courts can be set up with tables and tents for farmer’s markets and small businesses. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

Popcourts is an interactive and lively plaza. The basketball court draws the community in and keeps the plaza busy at all times of day. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

There was considerable thought given to the furniture chosen for this project. Despite the very modest budget, the team was able to acquire several pieces that animate the site. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

Like many historically disinvested communities in our country, Austin lacks quality public open space. The plaza provides the much needed informal gathering place for Austin’s inhabitants. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

One of the biggest successes of the site is that it attracts people of all generations- from children playing basketball to seniors organizing picnics. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

The site gives the community to space to celebrate together. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

Popcourts provides the perfect backdrop for all types of performers, dancers and even a runway for fashion designers. The continued success of the plaza is ensured by its program manager, who is continuously looking for partnerships and opportunities to host events in the space. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger

Lastly, and most importantly, PopCourts is a canvas for the community – a space which allows for many things to happen, influenced and changed by the community itself. Image Credit: Shelby Kroeger