The Bucks released early renderings of the upcoming Bucks arena Thursday. Mayor Tom Barrett called the new design ‘fresh’ in the newspaper, but others took to social media to describe it more, um, colorfully.
Via OnMilwaukee.com Sports: 12 things the new Bucks arena looks like.
The first detailed glimpse of the new downtown Milwaukee arena reveals a giant building with a dramatically arcing roof, curving body, tall sheets of glass, social spaces — and a few challenges yet to overcome.
Via USA Today.
Here’s the irony. Last year, now Gov. Scott Walker pushed through a $400 million taxpayer subsidy for a new arena for the billionaire hedge fund operators who own the Milwaukee Bucks. While County Executive Walker didn’t lift a finger to repair the Domes, he fought hard to help a professional sports team pay for their new digs.
And here’s an even bigger irony. As part of that deal, Milwaukee County agreed to be on the hook for $4 million a year. And how much borrowing would $4 million a year support with interest for 20 years? Well, just about $60 million or so.
Next up for the team is working out a land sale with Milwaukee County and getting approval for the arena from the Milwaukee Common Council. Speaking at the Capitol after the Assembly vote, Bucks head coach Jason Kidd and team president Peter Feigin praised the deal and said the remaining pieces could be assembled in time for construction to start in the fall.
Via Assembly passes arena deal, sends it to Scott Walker @ JSOnline.
“Six Democrats in the Wisconsin state Senate voted late Wednesday to give millions in taxpayer dollars to a couple of billionaires. After they cast their votes in favor of SB 209, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin issued a statement praising the corporate giveaway to a powerful Milwaukee special interest….”
Via Wis. Dems Support Massive Corporate Giveaway to Billionaires @ Media Trackers.
“When Walker announced a plan last week to spend $250 million in taxpayer money for a proposed $500 million basketball arena in downtown Milwaukee, the local chapter of the Koch-founded advocacy group Americans for Prosperity joined the chorus of detractors who condemned the project. The National Basketball Association is demanding the new venue and is…
“The Bucks sent a major signal they intend to be an aggressive player in free agency with Thursday’s trade that sent forward Ersan Ilyasova to the Detroit Pistons. The move created $8 million of additional salary cap space, giving the team approximately $22 million to work with when free agency negotiations begin on July 1.…
“The head of the Wisconsin Center District has attacked those working on a deal to build a new $500 million arena for the Milwaukee Bucks, saying the talks were too secretive and “uncivilized.” Franklyn Gimbel, chairman of the district, said he was particularly upset that he has yet to be informed about the details of…
