Bucks Announce Construction Team for Entertainment Block

The Milwaukee Bucks today announced that Brookfield-based Hunzinger Construction, a fourth-generation, family-owned Wisconsin business, will manage the construction of the new entertainment block as part of the downtown arena development in Milwaukee. The entertainment block, which will span Fourth Street from W. Highland Ave. to W. Juneau Ave., is a central element of the master design plan for the new arena and surrounding development, and will feature an active space designed for year-round community use featuring a mixture of dining, entertainment and retail activations. The block will serve as an important connection between the new arena and existing commercial activity along Old World Third Street.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Hunzinger to our development team and to partner with another Wisconsin company with a proud legacy of excellence to bring our ownership’s dynamic vision for this public space to life,” Bucks President Peter Feigin said. “This entertainment block will be a showcase for the best entertainment outlets that Milwaukee and Wisconsin have to offer, and an integral component of the broader development that will re-energize this portion of the city.”

As one of the oldest contracting firms in the Midwest, Hunzinger has a rich history of tackling some of the region’s most notable and challenging projects while maintaining an impeccable record of safety and quality craftsmanship. Hunzinger has worked on many of Milwaukee’s iconic entertainment venues, including Miller Park, the Pabst Theater, the Summerfest grounds and even the original construction of the BMO Harris Bradley Center nearly 30 years ago. Hunzinger has also led the recent efforts to reconfigure the loading dock and service entrances of the BMO Harris Bradley Center so that the building can remain operational during construction of the arena.

“We are honored to join the Buck’s team for this exciting project,” Hunzinger Construction Company President John Hunzinger said. “We feel privileged to be associated with the Bucks and to contribute to their vision for the renaissance of downtown Milwaukee. This is a great opportunity for our firm.”

Additionally, the Bucks announced that Veit & Company, Inc., will manage the demolition of the existing parking structure on the site of the new entertainment block. A Midwestern company with an office in New Berlin, Veit is an industry-leader in contracting and waste-management services. Hunzinger and Veit join Janesville-based JP Cullen and Milwaukee-based Findorff as Wisconsin firms involved in the construction of the new arena development.

Earlier this year the Bucks announced that Gensler and Milwaukee-based Rinka Chung will comprise the design team for the entertainment block. The project is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018. Consistent with the arena construction process, the Bucks have committed to meeting city job requirements as part of the entertainment block development.

The entertainment block will be adjacent to the new arena, the centerpiece of an ambitious development project spearheaded by Bucks ownership to transform 27-acres of mostly vacant property into a vibrant retail and entertainment district in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. Scheduled to open in fall of 2018, the 714,000 square foot arena will be home to Milwaukee Bucks basketball and countless sports and entertainment events. The new arena was designed by Populous, Eppstein Uhen and HNTB, with Mortenson tabbed to lead the construction of the project. For more information, visit www.wisconsinesc.com.

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NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.