The Milwaukee Bucks are one step closer to remaining in Wisconsin after the state voted this week in favor of spending $250 million in public funds on a new arena, according to ESPN.
BD+C has covered the proposed arena. Created by Milwaukee firm Eppstein Uhen Architects and global firm Populous, the venue will be built in downtown Milwaukee. Its design draws inspiration from both Lake Michigan, which borders Milwaukee, and from aspects of basketball, like high-arcing free throws. It is estimated to cost $500 million.
Funding a new arena has been an issue for the small market NBA team. Billionaires Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry purchased the Bucks in 2014 with the vow of keeping the team in the city. The NBA, however, said that the Bucks would need a new arena plan in place by 2017. Without a deal, the league would buy back the team and re-sell it, possibly to owners who would relocate it to either Seattle or Las Vegas.
Residents that opposed the arena plan cited the problems that arise when the government financially supports private sports entities, and referenced Miller Park. The Milwaukee Brewers' retractable roof stadium was publicly funded. Built in the late 1990s, it is still being paid off today.
The upside to a new arena is that the state still gets to recieve income tax from players and staff, and that the venue could bring new development, like entertainment and commercial spaces, residential buildings and parking facilities, to the area around the stadium. Most importantly, the state gets to keep the franchise that won the 1971 NBA Finals and currently has up-and-coming players like Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo (and head coach Jason Kidd) on the roster.
The bill now heads to Governor Scott Walker for his signature. Walker has been working with state officials to reach a deal and is expected to sign it.
Related Stories
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jan 6, 2016
A solar canopy makes Miami’s arena more functional
NRG Energy teams with Miami Heat to transform an underused open-air plaza and reinforce the facility’s green reputation
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 23, 2015
Kengo Kuma selected to design National Stadium for 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Japan chose between projects from Japanese architects Kuma and Toyo Ito. The decision has been met with claims of favoritism, particularly by the stadium’s original designer, Zaha Hadid.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 16, 2015
Tokyo down to two finalists for Olympic Stadium design
Both cost less than the Zaha Hadid proposal that was scrapped over the summer.
Sponsored | Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 14, 2015
Soccer Field in the Sky
House of Sports in Ardsley, N.Y., is home to a soccer field on the third floor of a downtown building.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 7, 2015
Michigan YMCA receives Universal Design Certification
The 116,200-sf Mary Free Bed YMCA in Grand Rapids is accessable for everyone who uses the facilities.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 7, 2015
High tech material makes Minnesota Vikings' new stadium's roof light and strong
U.S. Bank Stadium will have an ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) pneumatic roof, a durable, flexible material made of a polymer similar to Teflon.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 3, 2015
Herzog & de Meuron unveils renderings of redeveloped stadium for Chelsea FC
As many as 264 brick piers will line the perimeter of the stadium and extend to a steel ring perched above the field.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Nov 16, 2015
Edmonton's Rogers Place among North America's 'next-gen' stadiums
The home of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers made Curbed’s list of 11 next-generation stadiums in North America. Also on the list are new venues for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Nov 13, 2015
It’s time to make MLB stadiums safer
Major League Baseball doesn't have official stadium design guidelines. Skanska's Tom Tingle has three ways the league can make the game safer for fans while still preserving its integrity.
Office Buildings | Nov 6, 2015
Real Madrid to get new headquarters designed by Rafael de La-Hoz
The design of the building is made of a set of two parallelepiped-shaped volumes.