Basketball Courts at 18th and State are Getting a Facelift ; Aiming to be Ready in Spring 2022

The iconically Chicago public basketball courts at 18th and State that sit under the Orange and Green lines are getting a face lift (via DePaul): 

The Chicago Park District joins Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward), DePaul University and local community members to break ground on the renovation of Margaret Hie Ding Lin Park, in the Near South community area, on Monday, August 30, 2021. The public park located at 1735 S. State St. features a basketball court, which will be fully renovated to provide additional opportunities for basketball programming for the community in partnership with DePaul University. The makeover is a valuable improvement over the existing facility and a welcome upgrade for park visitors and aspiring athletes seeking access to better quality public urban spaces to engage in active recreation and play.

In addition to the revamped basketball court, the renovation will include a new half court facility, new bleachers, benches, lighting and a drinking fountain. Updated landscape and ADA accessibility improvements will also be part of the overall renovation. Located adjacent to the Orange Line CTA 'L' Train, the park is expected to be completed in Spring 2022 and will be a destination sports play area for future generations of players and current athletes to gather and play.

Beyond being home to neighborhood pick-up games, these courts have played host to various commercials for brands such as Nike, Adidas and Gatorade (some Sloopin coverage here). 

While no one is going to complain about these courts getting upgraded, the "urban" feel of the courts that likely resulted in the commercials being shot here is likely going to be gone...but we're ok with that.