A New Stadium For The 2017 Season?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I do have a question for this new proposal...

If they are tearing down both the BC and the MECCA/Cell/Panther Arena to make way for the new arena, where do the Bucks and MU play during construction?

Would the new arena occupy the entire location where both stand or just the location for one of the arenas?  If just one, then I would assume the tear down of the BC, for example, would come only after the new arena is operational.

[🏀]

Consolidate three outdated hogs into one, great idea.

[GOO]

We went to the Milwaukee Theater last week during Open Doors Milwaukee (which is awesome..)

I've been there for events, but wow, that is a fantastic building, great venue.  Largest theater in Wisconsin. 

Seems like tearing that down would be a travesty.

It's too bad it has to go, but the location makes to much sense for a much higher use building not to take it down.

As for where we play during construction, if this proposal takes off... my guess is that the BC remains standing until the new area is complete.  The new one will be built over the Mecca and over State street but just up to the BC.  The BC comes down after the new arena is built and the BC is replaced with the entertainment venues, hotel, condos, etc.

If not, we play at the Al, which would be a financial hit unless they jack ticket prices up for one year by a factor of 2. The Bucks?  Madison?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

We went to the Milwaukee Theater last week during Open Doors Milwaukee (which is awesome..)

I've been there for events, but wow, that is a fantastic building, great venue.  Largest theater in Wisconsin.  

Seems like tearing that down would be a travesty.

That's why I want to see a real long-term plan and vision.

I'd like to keep the theater because of it's historic elements and value, but that needs to be evaluated against the long term urban plan.

If they can keep the theater, then that's awesome. If they have a great long-term plan and the theater has to go, then I guess it'll have to go. But, the vision/plan is the important factor. Don't just tear down a theater to plop in a new arena that will need to be replaced in 25 years. This needs to be a long term infrastructure solution (think 50 years ahead), that has some flexibility to evolve.

[Litehouse]

We went to the Milwaukee Theater last week during Open Doors Milwaukee (which is awesome..)

I've been there for events, but wow, that is a fantastic building, great venue.  Largest theater in Wisconsin. 

Seems like tearing that down would be a travesty.

The place is really nice, but the travesty was putting all that money into the Theatre in the first place.  The place is only used a few times per year, and there were already plenty of other competing theater options that weren't publicly funded, like the Riverside, PAC, Pabst, Rep, etc.

[bork]

The place is really nice, but the travesty was putting all that money into the Theatre in the first place.  The place is only used a few times per year, and there were already plenty of other competing theater options that weren't publicly funded, like the Riverside, PAC, Pabst, Rep, etc.

Exactly.  They spent $45 million to convert the auditorium into the theatre and I think $20 million over the years updating the arena.  Meanwhile, they complain that they can't get any conventions because the convention center is too small.  That money would have put a good dent in a convention center expansion.    How does Franky keep his job with his track record?  Oh, that's right.  He isn't elected.

[Litehouse]

I wish there was a way they could keep the BC around so the Admirals could stay there.  Then the new facility could focus on basketball without having to compromise for hockey.

[Benny B]

I wish there was a way they could keep the BC around so the Admirals could stay there.  Then the new facility could focus on basketball without having to compromise for hockey.

Unfortunately, anything that is going to have the backing of multiple parties (including the taxpayers) is going to have to be multipurpose.  And multipurpose arenas suck when it comes to basketball.

[🏀]

We can all blame Riverdance for this Milwaukee Theatre bullshit.

[Litehouse]

I was looking at the seating charts for Bankers Life in Indy and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and it's interesting to see how they accommodate hockey.  They extend the ice all the way into one end, so there's no lower level seats behind one end of the rink.  That way they can focus the sight lines on basketball.

[GGGG]

Unfortunately, anything that is going to have the backing of multiple parties (including the taxpayers) is going to have to be multipurpose.  And multipurpose arenas suck when it comes to basketball.

Kohl Center is a great arena for both basketball and hockey.  Bradley Center was simply built a decade too early and there have been all sorts of better examples of how to build multi-purpose arenas since then.

[Spotcheck Billy]

The place is really nice, but the travesty was putting all that money into the Theatre in the first place.  The place is only used a few times per year, and there were already plenty of other competing theater options that weren't publicly funded, like the Riverside, PAC, Pabst, Rep, etc.

I was thinking the same thing until I checked their schedule and realized the traveling Broadway shows run there too. Although there wasn't a single event in September there are 5 in October and the Lion King is there everyday from 11/11 til 12/7.

Maybe they could save the MKE Theater but tear down the Arena and BC and still have enough room if they build on State St.

[Cooby Snacks]

Twitter tracker for you dunguses.

https://twitter.com/preslovell/status/516675368007507968
@PresLovell: Just had great meeting with Mark and Wes from the Bucks. Looking forward to strengthening our partnership in the future.

[dgies9156]

I was thinking the same thing until I checked their schedule and realized the traveling Broadway shows run there too. Although there wasn't a single event in September there are 5 in October and the Lion King is there everyday from 11/11 til 12/7.

Maybe they could save the MKE Theater but tear down the Arena and BC and still have enough room if they build on State St.

Tear the whole fricking thing down.

Stop being so Milwaukee and recognize the existing facilities have to come down if they build a new place.

[muhoosier260]

That's why I want to see a real long-term plan and vision.

I'd like to keep the theater because of it's historic elements and value, but that needs to be evaluated against the long term urban plan.

If they can keep the theater, then that's awesome. If they have a great long-term plan and the theater has to go, then I guess it'll have to go. But, the vision/plan is the important factor. Don't just tear down a theater to plop in a new arena that will need to be replaced in 25 years. This needs to be a long term infrastructure solution (think 50 years ahead), that has some flexibility to evolve.

Agree wholeheartedly. Isn't it wild though that these old structures that may have to go to make way for new, modern arenas, are 100+ years old? And we think looking 50 years into the future is bold. I realize buildings like the Milwaukee Theater will have to constantly be updated, it's just a shame that building a great new facility while preserving Milwaukee's historic buildings probably won't both happen.

[TedBaxter]

Kohl Center is a great arena for both basketball and hockey.  Bradley Center was simply built a decade too early and there have been all sorts of better examples of how to build multi-purpose arenas since then.

Let's clarify.  You are talking only about the flexibility and site lines at the Kohl Center for both sports and not talking about the arena itself.  I am not impressed with a lot of the Kohl Center outside of the flexibility aspect.

The more I look into the new arena, the more I think it should be placed north of the Bradley Center and be the design focal point as you enter the north part of downtown.  There is open space and more flexibility than anywhere else right now and IMHO, it's still close enough to be part of the convention center, especially if you continue the skywalk system.  Hire Populous and let them make it something that jumpstarts the downtown.

[MU111]

Agree wholeheartedly. Isn't it wild though that these old structures that may have to go to make way for new, modern arenas, are 100+ years old? And we think looking 50 years into the future is bold. I realize buildings like the Milwaukee Theater will have to constantly be updated, it's just a shame that building a great new facility while preserving Milwaukee's historic buildings probably won't both happen.

That's just the thing though.  We shouldn't be tearing down historic structures when there is a perfect plot of land just north of the Bradley Center that would only require the demolition of two very small, non-historic maintenance structures.  Milwaukee has done a much better job than most cities of comparable size of preserving its history in the downtown core.  It would be a shame to start to move in the wrong direction.

[GGGG]

Let's clarify.  You are talking only about the flexibility and site lines at the Kohl Center for both sports and not talking about the arena itself.  I am not impressed with a lot of the Kohl Center outside of the flexibility aspect.

Yes.  Exactly.  The Bradley Center is a nicer arena outside of the bowl.  But the Kohl Center is better for a viewing experience.

[🏀]

That's just the thing though.  We shouldn't be tearing down historic structures when there is a perfect plot of land just north of the Bradley Center that would only require the demolition of two very small, non-historic maintenance structures.  Milwaukee has done a much better job than most cities of comparable size of preserving its history in the downtown core.  It would be a shame to start to move in the wrong direction.

In the grand scheme of the word 'historic' either the Arena nor the Theatre really qualify.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

That's just the thing though.  We shouldn't be tearing down historic structures when there is a perfect plot of land just north of the Bradley Center that would only require the demolition of two very small, non-historic maintenance structures.  Milwaukee has done a much better job than most cities of comparable size of preserving its history in the downtown core.  It would be a shame to start to move in the wrong direction.

Yes and no.

I love historic buildings and I think it's important to preserve them.

However, in this case, if there is a good long-term vision/urban plan that can help Milwaukee, then I would be okay tearing down some historical buildings.

But, just plopping down a shiny new building is not an long term urban re-development plan. Look at what we have now. If we're being honest, the BC is a failure in that aspect. There isn't significant development, and it's out of date in under 30 years.

A new arena needs to be apart of a bigger vision.

OR

Just revamp the BC and see if you can incentivize some more growth north and west of the arena (Park East, Pabst, etc.).

[swoopem]

If a new arena is built I bet that the NBA will host the All Star game there and Milwaukee will put in a bid to get the Final Four or maybe even the Sweet 16 & Elite 8 rather than the first weekend of the tournament.

I know that's only 2 weekends, but that would be good for the city.

[MU111]

But, just plopping down a shiny new building is not an long term urban re-development plan. Look at what we have now. If we're being honest, the BC is a failure in that aspect. There isn't significant development, and it's out of date in under 30 years.

A new arena needs to be apart of a bigger vision.

OR

Just revamp the BC and see if you can incentivize some more growth north and west of the arena (Park East, Pabst, etc.).

Definitely.  I think we've both been on the same page in terms of the need for a comprehensive plan and for economic benefits to be clearly measured and defined.  I'm much more skeptical than most at this point, but we'll see what happens when there is a more solid plan in place.

[Spotcheck Billy]

If a new arena is built I bet that the NBA will host the All Star game there and Milwaukee will put in a bid to get the Final Four or maybe even the Sweet 16 & Elite 8 rather than the first weekend of the tournament.

I know that's only 2 weekends, but that would be good for the city.

well the FF is a no-go unless held at Miller Park

[🏀]

Final Fours will never be held in a NBA arena again. There is a 60,000 seat requirement.

Milwaukee also doesn't meet the 10,000 full-service hotel room requirement either.

[mu03eng]

Let's clarify.  You are talking only about the flexibility and site lines at the Kohl Center for both sports and not talking about the arena itself.  I am not impressed with a lot of the Kohl Center outside of the flexibility aspect.

The more I look into the new arena, the more I think it should be placed north of the Bradley Center and be the design focal point as you enter the north part of downtown.  There is open space and more flexibility than anywhere else right now and IMHO, it's still close enough to be part of the convention center, especially if you continue the skywalk system.  Hire Populous and let them make it something that jumpstarts the downtown.

Cost is the factor there...dirty little secret(pun intended) is the amount remediation that will be required to get that land up and viable for use for an arena is very significant.

The Cell has to go, the Milwaukee Theater, if it can be incorporated successfully with the new build would be fine but by no means should it stand in the way of a great new arena.

Frank Gimbel is probably the most responsible for the mess that is downtown Milwaukee and how hamstrung city planning is generally.....I want to know where he keeps the pictures on all these officials.