JS Op-Ed Re: Bradley Center

[MUBurrow]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/the-clock-is-running-out-on-the-milwaukee-bucks-8i7i20j-178214951.html

The part that caught my eye:

"Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl has said in the past that he is willing to make a significant contribution toward a new arena. Kohl loves the team and Milwaukee. In the past, he could have sold the team and risked having it leave the city. He didn't. Kohl will not bear the entire cost of a new facility, and he shouldn't. It will be a public facility that will be used by more than the Bucks."

[martyconlonontherun]

Yeah, Kohl is rich but not that rich. He can contribute nicely up to $100 million, but unless he gives nothing to his family/other charities there is going to be a need for other sources. A stadium worthwhile will be $300mil+.

[tower912]

$300 mil for a basketball arena?    Just imagine how much for a football field and practice facility then.   

[MUBurrow]

I think it'll be interesting how MU may get implicated in the funding conversation.  Based on what I've found, I assume MU pays around $20k/game to the BC. I wonder if simply guaranteeing a long-term lease in a potential new building would satisfy all parties involved, or if, as it becomes clear that funding is going to be hard to scrap together, MU features a bit more prominently.  Given that the BC is so far off campus, I doubt that MU would front too much cash for a new building, but then again, they have to play somewhere. And if the Bucks leave, I imagine MU's position in the BC might become a bit more precarious. Or, maybe MU benefits from the Bucks leaving, both in gate receipts and bargaining power with the BC.

[boyonthedock]

do you guys think a brand new NBA arena would be good for recruiting in my opinion I think yes it would.

[Tugg Speedman]

Yeah, Kohl is rich but not that rich. He can contribute nicely up to $100 million, but unless he gives nothing to his family/other charities there is going to be a need for other sources. A stadium worthwhile will be $300mil+.

Why not gut the BC and redo it.  This would be more than enough money.  Or do they need/want a bigger place?

The problem would then be where to play (Bucks, MU and Admirals) in the interim.  The Arena or could temporary stands and an ice rink be brought into Miller Park?  Could that work after April when the Brewers start?  Or could the new BC be done by the following April?

[Hards Alumni]

Why not gut the BC and redo it.  This would be more than enough money.  Or do they need/want a bigger place?

The problem would then be where to play (Bucks, MU and Admirals) in the interim.  The Arena or could temporary stands and an ice rink be brought into Miller Park?  Could that work after April when the Brewers start?  Or could the new BC be done by the following April?

Because it costs just as much as starting over.

[martyconlonontherun]

Because it costs just as much as starting over.

Yup. The whole point would be to add retail, standing and suite space like more modern arenas. It would be extremely expense to do that with a current stadium.

Also, if you were a high profile donor, would you donate to a revamp of a stadium or a brand spanky new stadium that people can watch being built over a year that would be the talk of the NBA? Also, where would the Bucks/MU play while it is revamped?

[axaguy]

What's the problem with the BC right now?? I'm from Chicago and the old Chicago Stadium had to go, despite its history. It just wasn't a representative facility for today's needs but the BC IS a newer, very nice arena. Milwaukee is a smaller market area. How are you, the tax payers and/or owners going to justify the cost?? I could understand if you still only had the Milwaukee Arena (Mecca) but the BC is a nice building, great location, adequate size for your market. What's the problem???
Just curious as to what the hub-bub is about when you already have a nice place. Does Herb have too much money he doesn't know what to do with? The private sector is ALWAYS willing to get and let  the public sector to pay for their amnenities. When's the last time the public sector bought your house for you? Your place of work? In today's economic climate are you tax payers willling to foot a bill and go out on a limb to guarantee a new financial plan in light of constantly rising taxes and costs???
Please enlighten me. just curious is all.

[GGGG]

The private sector is ALWAYS willing to get and let  the public sector to pay for their amnenities. When's the last time the public sector bought your house for you? Your place of work?

You can fight this philosophical game all you want, but in the end it means that you will lose your professional sports teams because somewhere, some municipality is going to foot the bill for a new place.  Kansas City already has a place.  Seattle will have one shortly.

So Milwaukee needs to understand this.  If they want to keep the Bucks, they will have to build a new arena.  It will be costly...and it won't ever bring the economic benefit that is promised...but it will be necessary.

[Hards Alumni]

What's the problem with the BC right now?? I'm from Chicago and the old Chicago Stadium had to go, despite its history. It just wasn't a representative facility for today's needs but the BC IS a newer, very nice arena. Milwaukee is a smaller market area. How are you, the tax payers and/or owners going to justify the cost?? I could understand if you still only had the Milwaukee Arena (Mecca) but the BC is a nice building, great location, adequate size for your market. What's the problem???
Just curious as to what the hub-bub is about when you already have a nice place. Does Herb have too much money he doesn't know what to do with? The private sector is ALWAYS willing to get and let  the public sector to pay for their amnenities. When's the last time the public sector bought your house for you? Your place of work? In today's economic climate are you tax payers willling to foot a bill and go out on a limb to guarantee a new financial plan in light of constantly rising taxes and costs???
Please enlighten me. just curious is all.

First off, constantly rising taxes?  You're killing me.

Because it is the reality of the business.  The BC is NOT 'newer'.  You must be old.  It was built in 1989 (Older than everyone at Marquette) and is one of the oldest NBA arenas... with the only ones that are older are classics like MSG.  Secondly, it was built as a hockey arena and the seating isn't ideal... and beyond that there isn't room for the retail, standing space, and suites like there are in other NBA arenas; which makes it difficult for it to be profitable year round.

The problem you have is that you are following the old model of basketball arenas... or you simply think that a building with seats in it is a good idea.

Milwaukee tax payers along with Kohl, and probably a good deal of private funding should be able to get an arena done.

[martyconlonontherun]

What's the problem with the BC right now?? I'm from Chicago and the old Chicago Stadium had to go, despite its history. It just wasn't a representative facility for today's needs but the BC IS a newer, very nice arena. Milwaukee is a smaller market area. How are you, the tax payers and/or owners going to justify the cost?? I could understand if you still only had the Milwaukee Arena (Mecca) but the BC is a nice building, great location, adequate size for your market. What's the problem???
Just curious as to what the hub-bub is about when you already have a nice place. Does Herb have too much money he doesn't know what to do with? The private sector is ALWAYS willing to get and let  the public sector to pay for their amnenities. When's the last time the public sector bought your house for you? Your place of work? In today's economic climate are you tax payers willling to foot a bill and go out on a limb to guarantee a new financial plan in light of constantly rising taxes and costs???
Please enlighten me. just curious is all.

Your house doesn't bring tons of jobs and income to the city. Also, huge corporations get sweetheart deals if they are willing to move downtown or to a different city. Check out all the deals that Walmart makes with different towns and as soon as the tax breaks are up, they move 10 minutes down the road to another muni that will help them out. People just notice this stuff because it is for highly publicized sports teams. Not saying it is right, but saying it does happen.

As for the B-MO H. BC, it is severely outdated by NBA standards. It was built as the last of its generation before the more modern arenas with multiple revenue areas. There is very limited space for retail, suites and other areas that make modern stadiums more profitable. The stadium is also a hockey arena and the sight lines are pretty bad, though I admit its not a huge deal in the sense of economics.

I'm a huge sports fan so I would be ok with a tax but I can see why people wouldn't want to pay for it. Hell, people are still pissed over Miller Park and it has been huge in making the city vibrant during the summer. I'm willing to bet the Brewers would've left if they didn't build a new stadium, just like the Bucks would leave if a new stadium isn't built within the next six years when their lease ends. It's the sad reality of the situation, but if you want a pro-sports team you are going have to pay for it. There is no right answer because it is so hard to tell how much it helps the branding of the city to have sports team and whether or not it produces new income for the city of just takes income that would've still been spent in the city for other entertainment purposes.

And the Bucks leaving aren't empty threats. Kohl is very close to selling the team and Stern has absolutely NO desire to keep the team in Milwaukee. When asked if he would do anything to help keep the Bucks in Milwaukee he flat out said no.

[martyconlonontherun]

Milwaukee tax payers along with Kohl, and probably a good deal of private funding should be able to get an arena done.

They key question is how much would the committee get out of the city. Politicians lost their jobs over MP, so I don't see anyone really coming forward and being a leader on this issue. Kohl obviously isn't going to be in the Senate anymore, but I wonder how people will take viewpoint since he is clearly biased in his motives.

The Bucks and Kohl are also to blame. Kohl's strategy and goal every year is to make the playoffs and "maybe win a few games." A mediocre team doesn't bring excitement to the city like stockpiling young talent does.

[muwarrior69]

Given that the BC is so far off campus, I doubt that MU would front too much cash for a new building, but then again, they have to play somewhere.

Is'nt the BC just across the street from the Mecca? If so, it's what a 15 or 20 minute walk from campus. I dormed at Schroeder in the mid to late 60's and to me the Arena did not seem that far. Here in Jersey most Rutgers students have to drive or take a 15 minute bus shuttle to get to the RAC, walking is not an option. The Rock is at least 1-2 miles from the Seton Hall Campus. If they do replace the BC my hope the new place would be just as close to campus as the Mecca and BC are now.

[Hards Alumni]

They key question is how much would the committee get out of the city. Politicians lost their jobs over MP, so I don't see anyone really coming forward and being a leader on this issue. Kohl obviously isn't going to be in the Senate anymore, but I wonder how people will take viewpoint since he is clearly biased in his motives.

The Bucks and Kohl are also to blame. Kohl's strategy and goal every year is to make the playoffs and "maybe win a few games." A mediocre team doesn't bring excitement to the city like stockpiling young talent does.

I agree, and this is what totally frustrates me as a Bucks fan.  The Bucks are never in the hunt for a championship, and they are never in the tank to get a top flight rookie superstar.  The Bucks have to hope something lands in their laps.  Its awful.  

[martyconlonontherun]

Is'nt the BC just across the street from the Mecca? If so, it's what a 15 or 20 minute walk from campus. I dormed at Schroeder in the mid to late 60's and to me the Arena did not seem that far. Here in Jersey most Rutgers students have to drive or take a 15 minute bus shuttle to get to the RAC, walking is not an option. The Rock is at least 1-2 miles from the Seton Hall Campus. If they do replace the BC my hope the new place would be just as close to campus as the Mecca and BC are now.

I was walking out of the game last night an it always amazes me the students who won't walk back to campus. They will wait in 20 minute lines to go from the BC back to the annex and then walk back to straz. I remember living in Straz and can't believe how lazy some students were as I always beat them back. 

[brewcity77]

I agree, and this is what totally frustrates me as a Bucks fan.  The Bucks are never in the hunt for a championship, and they are never in the tank to get a top flight rookie superstar.  The Bucks have to hope something lands in their laps.  Its awful.  

The Bucks really need to suck for two or three seasons. The problem as much as Kohl is Skiles. He is the type of coach that will get even mediocre talent to scrape together 30-35 wins and keep you out of the top-3 slots where the true stars are usually found. Of course, give him top-tier talent and he'll only get you 40-45 wins. Would make a much better college coach than pro coach.

[jficke13]

Frankly we spend tax money on mostly stuff I either don't want or don't need. Spending tax money to get a nice venue for MU Bball, uh I mean for the Bucks... yeah.. the Bucks... is probably the best imaginable thing that the Milwaukee area could come up with for use of tax money.

[Tugg Speedman]

Whatever happened to the Casino building a stadium in the valley just south of MU?

[martyconlonontherun]

Whatever happened to the Casino building a stadium in the valley just south of MU?

The city of Milwaukee shuffled their feet and Poto went another way and made other investments. Milwaukee wanted the arena downtown and the opportunity passed.

[Hards Alumni]

Whatever happened to the Casino building a stadium in the valley just south of MU?

I think everyone realized that was a bad idea.