MATC Signs Agreement To Lease a New Athletic Training and Event Facility in Deer District
Construction begins this summer on shared-use facility co-developed and co-owned by J. Jeffers & Company and the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is excited to announce the signing of a lease agreement to build a new shared-use athletic training facility in Deer District near the college’s Downtown Milwaukee Campus. The shared-use facility is being co-developed and co-owned by the Milwaukee Bucks and J. Jeffers & Co.
The college envisions a 28,000-square-foot double-court gymnasium that seats up to 1,000, a fitness center, locker rooms, concessions, meeting rooms and other amenities to primarily serve MATC’s fitness and health programs and athletics, including women’s basketball, men’s basketball and women’s volleyball. It will also provide state-of-the-art training facilities for all students and staff.
“This is a great next step toward delivering a facility that our student-athletes and entire college community deserve, and we are excited to join two great partners,” said MATC President Anthony Cruz, Ed.D. “Students and the community have indicated the importance of sports and delivering healthy entertainment outlets to enhance the student experience. That this is being built in Deer District is a bonus because of its notoriety, convenience and quality this will bring.”
Construction is expected to begin this summer and take about 18 months. The development, which hasn’t been named, will be located on vacant land between West McKinley, West Juneau and North Vel R. Phillips avenues and North King Drive. The entire project would encompass just over 340,000 square feet and include 269 market-rate apartments owned by the developer above the athletic facility. Plans are for an additional 13,000 square feet of street-level, mixed-use commercial space and an outdoor plaza for public enjoyment near the southwest corner of McKinley Avenue and King Drive. The facility will include a 290-space parking structure.
“We’re thrilled that this development, in partnership with J. Jeffers and the city of Milwaukee, will continue to redefine downtown Milwaukee,” said Michael Belot, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Chief Real Estate Development Officer. “We are delighted to welcome MATC to Deer District with a facility that would include a gymnasium, fitness center, meeting rooms and more for its students and sports teams to enjoy year-round.”
The new development is not the first time that MATC, the Bucks and J. Jeffers & Co. have come together to create positive change in the neighborhood. “This project offered the opportunity to continue investing in Milwaukee’s Deer District and Westown neighborhoods in collaboration with our valued partners, MATC and the Bucks,” said Brian Loftin, Chief Development Officer at J. Jeffers & Co. He continued, “The redevelopment of Journal Square Block, which included the creation of student housing for MATC, marked the beginning of a strong and impactful partnership. We look forward to building on that foundation with this new development.”
Similar to Westown Green, student housing developed by MATC’s preferred housing partner J. Jeffers & Co., this new facility also serves to attract and retain college students. MATC’s Stormers men’s basketball team won its first-ever National Junior College Athletic Association Division II championship in 2023, the 2024 women’s volleyball team won its first National Junior College Athletic Association Region 4 District Championship earning its first ever trip to the NJCAA Div II Volleyball National Tournament, and other athletic teams are moving up to NJCAA Division II, which means the college can offer students additional athletic scholarships.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Area Technical College
MATC and Community-based Organizations to Celebrate Nearly 300 Students at GED/HSED Graduation
Dec 17th, 2024 by Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeProfessional and student speakers share stories of resilience, determination and returning to school while raising their families.
MATC to Graduate More Than 1,000 Students at 2024 Winter Commencement
Dec 13th, 2024 by Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeKeynote speaker David Crowley will share his life’s journey as a student, husband, father and administrator to encourage the MATC Class of 2024
