MU sells land for Entertainment Complex

[MUfan12]

I had heard about this going back to the summer of 2020, but assumed the deal was dead. Glad they are able to offload this land for a fun use.

https://today.marquette.edu/2022/05/marquette-sells-11-acres-on-michigan-st-to-developers-for-new-sports-and-entertainment-district/

[The Sultan]

So this will be the new competition field for men's and women's soccer and lax.  Very cool.  A lot of schools are looking more and more at these types of partnerships to fund further growth.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I had heard about this going back to the summer of 2020, but assumed the deal was dead. Glad they are able to offload this land for a fun use.

https://today.marquette.edu/2022/05/marquette-sells-11-acres-on-michigan-st-to-developers-for-new-sports-and-entertainment-district/

That's pretty cool. I didn't know Milwaukee was aiming for a professional soccer club. Great news for the MU soccer and LAX programs too

[Hards Alumni]

Genuinely exciting news.  I guess we finally know where Tommy's donation went!

[The Lens]

Sounds like the deal was brokered by Joel Pogodzinski, so this is really a win for Kevin O'Neill.


In all seriousness, this sounds like a great deal.  Nice work by President Lovell & Joel P.

[BrewCity83]

So is this going to be the new location for the indoor concert venue that was recently scrapped at the Summerfest parking lot?

[MUfan12]

So is this going to be the new location for the indoor concert venue that was recently scrapped at the Summerfest parking lot?

They're looking at the Bradley Center land for that. The venue with this development would be run by the Pabst Theatre Group.

I think MKE is getting close to, if not at, saturation point for concert venues, but we'll see how it goes.

[Skip Intro]

I'd imagine they're aiming for a USL Championship team, which is a great league.  It'll be really good to have an outdoor stadium downtown, too. 

[Warrior of Law]

From an MU perspective, this is an easy one.  Rent, don't buy.  Of course, that doesn't account for all of the effort/money that went into acquiring the land.  Regardless, having a top facility near campus is a great benefit to everyone.

From a soccer standpoint, this would fit right into the USL where Forward Madison plays.

Breeze Stevens, on the near east side of Madison is the home facility, and it hosts concerts, etc.  In fact, looking at the website, they have some really big acts coming.

https://www.breesestevensfield.com/

[BrewCity83]

They're looking at the Bradley Center land for that. The venue with this development would be run by the Pabst Theatre Group.

I think MKE is getting close to, if not at, saturation point for concert venues, but we'll see how it goes.

You are correct!  I just received an email from the Pabst Theater Group with a press release that contains this:

"Adjacent to the soccer facility will be a state-of-the-art 3,500-person indoor concert venue operated by one of the world's premier concert promoters and the Pabst Theater Group in partnership with Kacmarcik Enterprises. The facility will host national touring acts 80-to-100 nights a year and more than 300 events a year in total.

"This amazing new venue is another rung on the Pabst Theater Group's 'artist and fan developmental ladder' and will help artists to choose Milwaukee as a city to not only launch their careers but support them as they continue to return and as they grow," said Gary Witt, president and CEO of the Pabst Theater Group. "The location is a perfect fit for a concert venue. It has plenty of parking and easy access to trains, buses, and highways, and it's only a stone's throw from downtown. This is the right place for us to be, working alongside great partners like Kacmarcik Enterprises and Bear Development and getting to expand our venues' potential in the same space as an exciting new professional soccer stadium. As an almost 20-year-old independent Milwaukee business, we are honored to carry the torch for live performances in Milwaukee into the future, along with other independent local powerhouses like The Rave, The Cactus Club, and Shank Hall."

[Hards Alumni]

From an MU perspective, this is an easy one.  Rent, don't buy.  Of course, that doesn't account for all of the effort/money that went into acquiring the land.  Regardless, having a top facility near campus is a great benefit to everyone.

From a soccer standpoint, this would fit right into the USL where Forward Madison plays.

Breeze Stevens, on the near east side of Madison is the home facility, and it hosts concerts, etc.  In fact, looking at the website, they have some really big acts coming.

https://www.breesestevensfield.com/

I've been to a couple of shows and a game, and it is a good time.  Parking sucks, so if you go, arrive early.

One other gripe is that the concert I went to the venue was fairly new and there was a line down the street of people just trying to get in.  Missed almost all of the opener standing in line... but at least I could hear it.

[Hards Alumni]

You are correct!  I just received an email from the Pabst Theater Group with a press release that contains this:

"Adjacent to the soccer facility will be a state-of-the-art 3,500-person indoor concert venue operated by one of the world's premier concert promoters and the Pabst Theater Group in partnership with Kacmarcik Enterprises. The facility will host national touring acts 80-to-100 nights a year and more than 300 events a year in total.

"This amazing new venue is another rung on the Pabst Theater Group's 'artist and fan developmental ladder' and will help artists to choose Milwaukee as a city to not only launch their careers but support them as they continue to return and as they grow," said Gary Witt, president and CEO of the Pabst Theater Group. "The location is a perfect fit for a concert venue. It has plenty of parking and easy access to trains, buses, and highways, and it's only a stone's throw from downtown. This is the right place for us to be, working alongside great partners like Kacmarcik Enterprises and Bear Development and getting to expand our venues' potential in the same space as an exciting new professional soccer stadium. As an almost 20-year-old independent Milwaukee business, we are honored to carry the torch for live performances in Milwaukee into the future, along with other independent local powerhouses like The Rave, The Cactus Club, and Shank Hall."

This has to be bad news for The Rave and Turner Hall.

[Spotcheck Billy]

This has to be bad news for The Rave and Turner Hall.

I imagine Pete Jest of Shank Hall is not pleased either

[Skip Intro]

I think MKE is getting close to, if not at, saturation point for concert venues, but we'll see how it goes.

There's a capacity sweet spot for indoor, standing-room concert venues that only The Rave/Eagles Ballroom hits in Milwaukee right now.  A lot of performers (and fans) don't like The Rave and/or its management, so I have no doubt that this new venue will be very successful.  Turner Hall only holds about 1000 people, so Pabst Theater Group wouldn't be cannibalizing from its other venues. 

[Billy Hoyle]

Cue the "MU is bringing back football" responses.

It will be nice to have soccer matches much more accessible to campus. What's next for Valley Fields? Indoor practice facility/bubble, perhaps?

[BrewCity83]

This has to be bad news for The Rave and Turner Hall.

Well, Turner Hall, no because they are part of the Pabst Theater Group.

The Rave, maybe.  But if the new proposed venue that was planned for the Summerfest parking lot ends up being delayed or scrapped completely because of this new venue, that's got to be good news for the Rave.  The previous new venue was planned by FPC Live, and it was alleged that they were actively trying to run the Rave/Eagles Ballroom out of business.  They had first unsuccessfully tried to buy the Eagles Club building, and when that failed, the Rave owners feared that FPC Live, as a giant national concert promoter, was trying to put both the Rave and the Pabst Group under.  So if FPC Live decides that this new Pabst Group-run venue will saturate the Milwaukee market, then maybe they will drop their plans for the Bradley Center lot, or wherever it is they're now looking.

[Skip Intro]

I imagine Pete Jest of Shank Hall is not pleased either

Shank Hall only holds 300, so it's not competing for acts with this new venue.  The Rave is the only place I see losing bookings, and I don't even know if that'll be too significant.  I think you'll mostly see tours that otherwise would have skipped Milwaukee, which would be a win for everyone. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

Sounds like the deal was brokered by Joel Pogodzinski, so this is really a win for Kevin O'Neill.


In all seriousness, this sounds like a great deal.  Nice work by President Lovell & Joel P.

So now that MU is dumping Valley Fields, the return to Warriors is within reach.

[Ardmore Mug]

As for a Professional Soccer team, I have it on good authority, that Jrue Holiday's wife is seriously looking into being involved ($$$) in Soccer in the Milw area ! ! !

[MUDPT]

As for a Professional Soccer team, I have it on good authority, that Jrue Holiday's wife is seriously looking into being involved ($$$) in Soccer in the Milw area ! ! !

Her name is Lauren Holiday.

[Hards Alumni]

Well, Turner Hall, no because they are part of the Pabst Theater Group.

The Rave, maybe.  But if the new proposed venue that was planned for the Summerfest parking lot ends up being delayed or scrapped completely because of this new venue, that's got to be good news for the Rave.  The previous new venue was planned by FPC Live, and it was alleged that they were actively trying to run the Rave/Eagles Ballroom out of business.  They had first unsuccessfully tried to buy the Eagles Club building, and when that failed, the Rave owners feared that FPC Live, as a giant national concert promoter, was trying to put both the Rave and the Pabst Group under.  So if FPC Live decides that this new Pabst Group-run venue will saturate the Milwaukee market, then maybe they will drop their plans for the Bradley Center lot, or wherever it is they're now looking.

I have a many fond memories of The Rave, but I don't feel like they've put much (any) into the building in the last 25 years.

Am I wrong?

[Its DJOver]

As for a Professional Soccer team, I have it on good authority, that Jrue Holiday's wife is seriously looking into being involved ($$$) in Soccer in the Milw area ! ! !

I think Milwaukee could support an NWSL team.

[Herman Cain]

Excellent development for MU.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I have a many fond memories of The Rave, but I don't feel like they've put much (any) into the building in the last 25 years.

Am I wrong?

If they did, they're not noticeable.

I'll always love the Rave for the nostalgia

[Skip Intro]

If they did, they're not noticeable.

I'll always love the Rave for the nostalgia

They haven't, and that's why this new competition will be a welcome sight.  It was convenient as an MU student, but then you come to realize that all those "free" 2-drink minimum tickets were a way for the venue to make money without paying the artists. 

On the new stadium, this has to be a huge plus for MU soccer and lax recruiting.  Not many collegiate soccer teams get to play in a pro-level venue that is basically on campus. 

Finally, my apologies to everyone screaming "Superbar!" for this entire thread.