Basketball Court Transformation at Saratoga Village
On October 18, Hoopbus, Metro by T-Mobile, the Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF), NYCHA, Kalel Companies, Dantes Partners, and State Senator Jabari Brisport joined residents to cut the ribbon on a newly renovated basketball court at Saratoga Village in Ocean Hill, Brooklyn. Along with the ribbon cutting, the celebration featured basketball activities (including king of the court, a dunk show, and kickoff games), live music, and food.
“The Saratoga Village court is more than a place to play, and with these renovations, public housing residents can feel safe, welcome, and connected while enjoying the space,” said Alex Zablocki, Executive Director of The Public Housing Community Fund. “This wouldn’t have been possible without Hoopbus and Metro by T-Mobile’s commitment to Saratoga Village and their energy, creativity, and resources brought to the project. Their investment has transformed what was once a cracked and broken-down court into a vibrant space to gather and shoot hoops. We’re proud to partner with them, NYCHA, Kalel Companies, and the residents to celebrate this new chapter for Saratoga Village.”
“It’s a privilege to add Saratoga Village to our body of court refurbishments with PHCF, along with Patterson and Tilden. Basketball has the power to change the trajectory of a kid’s life, teaching far more than just the game itself. Investing in these spaces opens that door for growth,” said Tobias DiMarco, Executive Director of Hoopbus.
“The newly renovated basketball court at Saratoga Village is a wonderful example of how the PACT program is helping to transform NYCHA developments into places where residents can thrive,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “While this court creates a renewed space for recreation, connection, and community, it is one part of a much larger investment in modernizing Saratoga Village, from rehabilitating apartments and shared living spaces to upgrading building infrastructure and improving residents’ quality of life. We are grateful to our PACT partners at Kalel Companies and Dantes Partners, as well as the Public Housing Community Fund, Hoopbus, and Metro by T-Mobile, for helping bring this project to life and for their commitment to the Saratoga Village community.”
“The renovated basketball court at Saratoga Village reflects the comprehensive approach that we and our PACT partners are taking to use every tool in our toolbox to modernize NYCHA developments and improve quality of life for residents,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer Heather Beck. “Alongside investments in apartments, building systems, elevators, and shared spaces, these renovations extend to the outdoor spaces where neighbors gather, families connect, and young people play. By leveraging new opportunities for funding to incorporate improvements like this basketball court into the broader rehabilitation of Saratoga Village, we are helping ensure residents benefit from a safer, more reliable, and welcoming overall living environment. We are so appreciative of our PACT and community partners for their commitment to making improvements like this possible.”
“Home is more than just the roof over your head, it’s where we learn to exist, to love, and to dream. While some may view a new basketball court simply as an outlet for fun and fitness, for others basketball is a first love, a safe space, a game that encourages everyone to dream big. For the residents of Saratoga Village, especially the youth, the new court is a centerpiece for this community where the youth and elders are able to practice their buzzer-beating, game five tip-ins,” said Pierre Downing, Founding Principal of Kalel Companies. “We’re grateful to Hoopbus, Metro by T-Mobile, the Public Housing Community Fund, and NYCHA for their partnership in advancing our mission of creating and preserving high-quality homes that improve the lives of residents and their neighborhoods.”
This project is part of Hoopbus and Metro by T-Mobile’s six-month nationwide tour, bringing youth development, community programming, resource distribution, and high-energy hoops to neighborhoods across the country. Hoopbus led the Saratoga Village court renovations, including resurfacing, painting, and new backboards and nets. The new basketball court features permanent painted logos by Hoopbus, Metro x Hoopbus Backboard Wraps, and Metro banner signage. The images displayed on the court were envisioned through collaboration between Hoopbus, local community members, and PHCF to bring the design to life.
This project is also part of a broader effort to provide comprehensive renovations and repairs at Saratoga Village through NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. Through this program, the buildings convert to Project-Based Section 8 through the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, which unlocks funding that allows the PACT partner team – Kalel Companies and Dantes Partners – to address the capital needs of the development. Via PACT, Kalel Companies and Dantes Partners are fully rehabilitating Saratoga Village’s apartments, shared spaces, grounds, and building infrastructure. NYCHA and the PACT partner team are thrilled that, thanks to this initiative, the development’s transformation can include a fully renovated basketball court – strongly supporting the PACT program’s goal of improving residents’ quality of life.
Hoopbus and PHCF previously partnered on a renovation project at the Patterson Houses in the Bronx, designing “Wave Court”, which integrated designs from the members of the community and were a testament that the energy we give to the world makes ripples – a beacon, and constant reminder, visible from the buildings surrounding the court. The court renovation was part of a larger effort to reinvent open space at Patterson Houses, which included two renovated playgrounds and an accessible fitness zone. This $500,000 project was part of the PHCF’s Green Space Connections program, which creates community-designed open spaces and expands access to green spaces.
Photos courtesy of Tameek Williams
