WICKER PARK — A vacant neighborhood lot on West Crystal Street will open soon as a bocce ball court.
The vacant city-owned lot at 1944 W. Crystal St. would be used by the Wicker Park Bocce Club, though the bocce ball court would be available to all area residents, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office said.
Club co-founder Ben Tudor said construction on the lot is almost complete.
"It's just about not vacant anymore," Tudor said. "It should be done definitely by next week."
The lot would be leased to the club for $1 per year. The club would be responsible for all maintenance, security and utilities for the lot, according to a statement issued by the mayor's office.
"With the use of this vacant lot in Wicker Park, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy this space and participate in a fun activity that promotes an active lifestyle at no cost to the City of Chicago," Emanuel said.
Tudor said "the idea and the paperwork and the talks to the city" took about five or six months.
"We're incredibly excited," Tudor said. "We're doing it for the city, so it's nice to get some good feedback."
