The Milwaukee Bucks have unveiled preliminary renderings for an entertainment district that will surround the team’s future downtown arena.
Spanning N. Fourth St. between W. Highland Ave. and W. Juneau Ave, the entertainment district will take over the site of a parking garage. Among its main features is an outdoor plaza space that will host events on a year-round basis, along with a promenade that will connect to the arena.
Additionally, the entertainment district will feature a variety of dining options. A covered pedestrian walkway will connect the arena to Old World Third Street, and include an outdoor media wall and year-round beer garden. The entertainment district has been designed by Gensler and the Milwaukee-based Rinka Chung Architecture.
“This new space will be a transformational addition to the community and a year-round hub for activity in downtown Milwaukee,” Bucks President Peter Feigin said in a statement. “Our ownership had a bold vision for a flexible space that will connect the neighborhood, spur additional development and empower additional local businesses to partner with us in revitalizing this portion of the city. Our fantastic design partners on this project have brought that vision to life and we’re beyond excited to see this project taking shape.”
“The design of the entertainment block strives to connect the surrounding community, acting as a catalyst for the development and evolution of the district and downtown Milwaukee through an active and inspiring environment for people to live, work and play in the heart of the city,” said Matt Rinka (Rinka Chung Architecture), Sasha Zeljic (Gensler) and Jereck Boss (Office of James Burnett) in a statement.
The Bucks have submitted the plans for the privately-financed distrct to the City of Milwaukee, which will consider it in a series of votes. More from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal:
The privately financed entertainment development will feature restaurants, taverns and retail space. The detailed design plans will likely undergo Plan Commission review on Dec. 5, and Common Council review in January, said Jeff Fleming, Department of City Development spokesman.
The plans being submitted to the city aren’t final, said Mark Rosenberg, Bucks director of communications. He said the building size could increase or decrease depending on how much space is eventually leased to the entertainment center’s future tenants.
Deer District plans to begin construction next spring, and open the entertainment center, along with the new arena, in fall 2108. Brookfield-based Hunzinger Construction will manage its construction.
The enterainment district is one of the key points of emphasis for the Bucks, who are touting the new arena a contributor to future economic development in downtown Milwaukee and the Park East corridor. Along with the arena and entertainment district, plans for the development include a team practice facility, a parking ramp, and office space.
The entertainment district and arena are both scheduled to open in 2018.
RELATED STORIES: Raj Saha to Serve as GM of New Bucks Arena; Milwaukee Bucks Hire Raj Saha; Milwaukee Bucks Launch Preview Center; Feigin: New Milwaukee Bucks Arena Could Lure Company HQs Downtown; Groundbreaking Set for New Milwaukee Bucks Arena