One of the debate points around building a new Bucks arena in downtown Milwaukee is the additional development that will occur in the general vicinity of the new arena. This despite no evidence that there was any significant development around the Bradley Center after it was built. It’s pretty much Major Goolsby’s and that was already there. The restaurant facility in the BC parking structure has turned over a number of times…sometimes leaving the city with unpaid rent if I remember correctly. But this time it’s different…the new owners are ‘planning’ development…but I really don’t think this is a ‘build it and they will come’ scenario.
So here are five reasons that a new Buck’s arena isn’t economically important:
1: The City of Brookfield isn’t vying for it!
2: The Village of Menomonee Falls isn’t vying for it!
3: The City of Oak Creek isn’t vying for it!
4: The City of Wauwatosa isn’t vying for it!
5: The City of Mequon isn’t vying for it!
I give a toss if Major Goolsby closes down. Opening beer bottles for yuppies does nothing for this community. Notice the roads?
I may be wrong, but my understanding is that the city is also being blackmailed by the NBA. Hasn’t the NBA ordered Bucks ownership to build a new facility or we’re pulling your franchise?
Probably not in so many words, but the NBA has said repeatedly that Milwaukee needs to get a new arena done in the near future, or the franchise will be a candidate for relocation. There are multiple other cities that would love to have the Bucks relocate.
Mark- If the arena isn’t built by 2017, the league has a standing offer to take over the team from Lasry and Edens. But NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he didn’t expect the Bucks to leave when he met with the Mayor of Seattle, so take that for what it’s worth.