Master Plan news & updates
November 17, 2020
Ainslie Arts Plaza
New Outdoor Space in the Making
Have you walked down Lincoln Avenue lately? If you have, you hopefully noticed the new street mural that has taken shape between Gunnison and Ainslie! Through your valuable input in the August Quick Poll and September Zoom Town Hall, a new outdoor public space will be coming to Lincoln Square!

The Ainslie Arts Plaza is a collaborative effort between the 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez, Lincoln Square Neighborhood Improvement Program (SSA 21), Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD), Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Teska Associates. This project is made possible through the Make Way for People Program. Learn More About the Initiative
All Shapes and Colors
Ainslie Arts Plaza Street Mural
Artist Andrea Jablonski was commissioned in September 2020 through the Lincoln Square PaintWorks program to design the areas first street mural. Created with inspiration from flags, street signs and the Razzle Dazzle camouflage artists of WWII, Jablonski created a grid-like colorful design to encourage spaces for people to gather while still socially distancing during the COVID pandemic.  Each geometric shape helps to delineate a space for seating elements that will be fluid to work with for future events planned in the plaza.  The palette was decided by colors available through the specialty paint used for asphalt.  The design exhibits diversity and community by bringing a variety of colors and shapes into a cohesive design.  Public art, in this case, can be walked, skipped, danced on and enjoyed!
Southern View
Aerial View
Northern View
Town Hall & Quick Poll: Overview + Participation
Town Hall
A Virtual Town Hall took place on Wednesday, Sept. 2 to summarize findings of the August Neighborhood Quick Poll and to present concepts for the proposed Ainslie Arts Plaza. Approximately 50 people from the community attended the Zoom platform meeting, where 40th Ward Alderman shared visions for the future of the North Lincoln Corridor and Teska Associates presented proposed plans from a new Arts Plaza.
Quick Poll
The Quick Poll was open for 11 days, going live on Tuesday, Aug. 11 and closing the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 21. During that time, more than 1,200 participants took the poll, rating their preference regarding public place activities and events and sharing insights about why the like, love, or loathe various plaza functions. Participants were asked to review a series of images and provide responses about how likely they are to participate in those functions if provided in the plaza. In true Lincoln Square fashion, folks were encouraged to provide additional insights via the open comment section.