Jeramey Jannene
Eyes on Milwaukee

Committee Okays Two Downtown Designs

Plus: What will the Bucks big announcement on Friday be?

By - Feb 22nd, 2017 04:32 pm

Plus: What will the Bucks big announcement on Friday be? Back to the full article.

Photos - Page 2

5 thoughts on “Eyes on Milwaukee: Committee Okays Two Downtown Designs”

  1. Sam says:

    Jeramey, do you know if the Bucks intend to name the live block?

  2. Franz says:

    Kareem Abdul Jabbar Square?

  3. James says:

    I was surprised to read this quote from Mr. Feigin in today’s Business Journal:

    “The entertainment block and plaza also will be the site of an outdoor amphitheater with a capacity for audiences of 500 to 2,500, Feigin said.”

    http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2017/02/23/bucks-have-plenty-of-arena-district-prospects-but.html?ana=e_ae_set1&s=scroll&ed=2017-02-23&u=p0QaBQRkEzYDpoL0xrCJ4A09c7b5ab&t=1487908943&j=77473421

    No public input on this issue. Even the most recent submitted plans do not depict an outdoor amphitheater.
    https://milwaukee.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2941029&GUID=A22BC19E-DFF2-48CC-BF4E-F6FA6C32CE52

    Although good for increased summer foot traffic and street animation, it will also increase the night time noise level. Perhaps those living nearby should be heard. Also, is this additional land that will be removed from the tax roll, and are the Bucks seeking additional public subsidy?

    This is a photo of the 2,500 capacity Moonlight Amphitheater in California:
    https://kpbs.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/croppedphotos/2012/07/18/amphitheatre_2011_t800.jpg?90232451fbcadccc64a17de7521d859a8f88077d

  4. Casey says:

    Who lives nearby in that section of downtown? And those that due are already accustomed to noise from all the other events that happen and 3rd street night life.

  5. V says:

    James raises key questions about the Bucks’ plans to create a new “entertainment zone” on steroids. Ironically, this was all pitched as a way to fully develop this area into a vital neighborhood with new residents and all. As Casey notes, hardly anyone lives nearby now. But how many people will want to move there?

    There’s plenty of reporting about manufactured entertainment districts (as well as zones like Water & Third that emerge organically).

    http://www.salon.com/2012/05/19/urban_entertainment_districts_blocks_where_no_one_has_fun/

    http://bettercities.net/news-opinion/blogs/anonymous/17976/pitfalls-entertainment-districts

    Unfortunately, city/county officials decided to just roll the dice on this one. Greater Downtown Milwaukee already has plenty of entertainment zones. The best ones achieve a delicate balance with other uses. Brady Street strives for that but sometimes that balance tips. One way equilibrium is maintained is through ongoing input by area residents and businesses.

    There has been little (or inconsequential) public input about decisions creating this whole experiment, including closing 4th Street or potentially cannibalizing existing businesses. Instead, it seems the goal has always seemed to keep the Bucks happy (at any expense), not whatever might best serve the community and sustain a neighborhood. Of course, citizens should have had a say about how public money is being spent for this.But it seems pretty much too late now after all the big decisions have been made.

    The MBJ article says the plan is to recruit some “loss leader” local tenants–most likely from among big hospitality groups that can gamble on opening one more new location–especially if given hefty incentives. It’s the mom-and-pops that will be most at risk in an over-saturated market.

Leave a Reply

You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. Learn more.

Join now and cancel anytime.

If you are an existing member, sign-in to leave a comment.

Have questions? Need to report an error? Contact Us