ACTIVE PROJECTS
Under the Grid & WACA Bell Park
Our efforts to reimagine urban infrastructure gained momentum in 2019 when the UTG Collective hosted an “urban hack.” This event brought together community members to envision possibilities for developing land beneath and next to the Pink Line El tracks, aiming to create off-street green amenities and connections through the North Lawndale neighborhood. One direct outcome of the hack was the first Under the Grid project, WACA/Bell Park, which has since become a community space featuring a basketball court.
The primary focus is on a 15-block stretch beneath the Pink Line "El" tracks in North Lawndale. The proposed trail, spanning from Kedzie to Pulaski, aims to connect three Pink Line stations. This vision seeks to revitalize these spaces by introducing amenities such as food vendors, housing, cafes, and cultural venues. The objective is to stimulate healthy, equitable development in North Lawndale, linking community development with arts and culture.
PHASE
The line is at the concept stage. WACA/Bell Park is envisioned as an anchor site along the line. It was dedicated in June 2023, thanks to $500,000 in Chicago Recovery Plan funds and $450,000 secured by Trust for Public Land through its partnerships with Nike and Invenergy.
WACA Bell Park
Located on the West Side of Chicago, North Lawndale has suffered from disinvestment over the past 50 years, but community members are working hard to reverse that trend. The Westside Association for Community Action (WACA) has been working with residents to revitalize the neighborhood through community spaces and services like workforce programs, community safety, and emergency services. WACA Bell Park, which, in its heyday, was the center of activity for youth, basketball games, and community events. As resources for upkeep have declined the park became underutilized to residents, with minimal shade and cracked asphalt.
Since 2019, OACChicago and The Under the Grid Collective which includes the West Side Association for Community Action (WACA), Freedom House Studios, Firehouse Community Arts Center, New Covenant, and Trust for Public Land have been working with various partners such as the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Germane Barnes with Shawhin Roudbari and MAS Context, Outpost Office during CAB 4: The Available City and Site Design to garner the resources to transform WACA Bell Park.
Explore Our Work
"HAVEN CAFETERIA WILL BE A SPACE THAT REPRESENTS OUR GROWTH AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE WHILE RESPECTING THE RICH HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AND NEIGHBORHOOD IN WHICH WE RESIDE “- haven Teen
BLUE1647
Tech School
on Wheels
Complete
To continue to be a beacon of resources for the South and Westside families during changing political landscape and educational disinvestment Blue 1647/Ignite Technology approached Open Architecture Chicago to create a Mobile Tech Bus.
Douglass 18
Mini-Golf Course
Complete
Douglass 18 was a 2 year teen-led, multi-stakeholder collaboration between Chicago Park District, Lincoln Park Zoo, Trust For Public Land, Haman Cross III, Freedom House, Eric Hotchkiss, Made in Englewood David Brown, Available City, OACChicago, and many others.
Lawndale
Pop-Up Spot
Complete
Lawndale Popup Spot is a community museum featuring exhibits by and for the North Lawndale community. Lawndale Popup Spot is now located at Love Blooms Plaza, southwest corner of Central Park Ave. & Douglas Blvd.