Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce Announces the Addition of Two People Spots to Lakeview East at 2863 and 2914 N. Clark St.

Two Beautifully Aesthetic Public Gathering Spaces and Art Pieces are Open Through October on the East and West Side of Clark Street and Feature Bistro Tables, Green Space, Lively Plants and Free Public WiFi

CHICAGO —The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the launch of their pop-up public gathering space and art piece, People Spots, available now through October at 2863 and 2914 N. Clark St. Two sites on the east and west side of the street host two unique People Spots, each containing fixed seating areas of various styles, bistro tables, chairs and strong public WiFi signals. For more information on the People Spots and campaign in general, please visit www.LakeviewEast.com. 

In 2013, the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce and Special Service Area #8 (SSA #8) launched the Clark Street Task Force, a community-driven strategic planning process to develop concepts for the improvement of the Clark Street Corridor. Residents, business owners, and property owners were surveyed with a top priority being an increase in the amount of nearby pedestrian gathering space through People Spots. Participants viewed People Spots as a way of activating a welcoming public space in the corridor without the attendant costs and disruption of traditional construction. 

The two unique, 6 ft. x 40 ft. installations are designed separately by Katherine Darnstadt of Latent Design and Duane Sohl of Sohl. Architect with Gary DeStefano of DCR Builders, LLC. Both were chosen from a request-for-proposal process, with each satisfying the desire for increased public gathering and green space.  The green space for each People Spot is installed by Patch Landscaping.  Patch also creates and maintains the hanging baskets and planters throughout Lakeview East as well as the “urban oasis garden” located within the annual Lakeview East Festival of the Arts (September 13 and 14, 2014). 

Darnstadt’s People Spot, dubbed “Color Guard” and placed on the east side of Clark St. at 2863 N. Clark St., is comprised of large-diameter PVC pipe installed as a perimeter planter fence. Each pipe is painted in one of four colors, creating a pattern that continues across the deck of the People Spot and onto the sidewalk. Fixed seating areas, also made from PVC, allow for various types of seating styles from lounging to group conversation. 

Sohl’s People Spot, located on the west side of Clark St. at 2914 N. Clark St., is comprised of 14 metal perimeter planters with artwork. Framed art panels, which appear on each perimeter section both outside and inside the People Spot, create an engaging public art space on Clark Street. Cable rails between the perimeters allow air flow and add visual interest. Colorful plantings surround the bistro tables and chairs, offering a festive and inviting space for pedestrians to enjoy. 

Though a comprehensive rethinking of the corridor is well underway based on feedback from the strategic planning process, the People Spots provide immediate place-making benefits for those who live, work, dine, and shop nearby. 

The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the launch of their pop-up public gathering space and art piece People Spots, available now through October at 2863 and 2914 N. Clark St. Two sites on the east and west side of the street host the two unique People Spots, each containing fixed seating areas of various styles, bistro tables, chairs and strong public WiFi signals. For more information on the People Spots and campaign in general, please visit www.LakeviewEast.com. 

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