Anyone who knows me understands that I appreciate aesthetics and beauty. As an Interior Design student, I’m all about the presentation. The truth of the matter is I’m also a mom and a wise consumer, so it has to be worth if for me to spend an outrageous amount of money on anything or at all.
There are many reasons why I’m all for the new arena that Gov. Walker has in his “playbook” for the downtown Milwaukee area. The part that excites me the most is it will be fresh and new! Everyone knows that the Bradley Center is long overdue for a complete make-over. The question is will this new attraction draw me in as a Milwaukee Bucks fan? The answer is absolutely not.
A die-hard fan, or just a fan for that matter, will try with a relentless pursuit to make as many games as possible; support and root for the team despite the conditions. Raving fans will be in the stands with bells and whistles on. The sticker shock of this project is an astonishing proposed $220 million to a possible $380 million sounds a bit absurd, but I cannot argue that this city needs it desperately. Some things are a no brainer, regardless of the price tag. I am all for having an awesome looking arena to attend so I can check out all it has to offer.
Politically it will boost our city’s economy by offering a new attraction that will draw in people from surrounding areas and hopefully other cities. The greatest benefit is that it will create new jobs. I’m down for the cause for all theses reasons; to be honest, the Milwaukee Bucks are not a huge factor in my decision. I hope that we will all be able to soon enjoy the smell of new hard- wood floors, cool new seats, a new sports store, some cool new restaurants and fresh paint in a new modern space; that’s what excites me. I know what you’re thinking; well Kourtney, what about the team?
From a consumer standpoint and being a native Milwaukeean I will support the new arena for mainly the beautification purposes and just having a new, exciting venue to visit, but hey, they asked me so I answered. Who said I was a basketball fan?!
On the technical, logistic side of things, here are the specs. I believe it’s a slam dunk for Milwaukee; so are you in? According to a recent article in the Milwaukee Business Journal, “Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal for the state to issue $220 million in bonds for a new arena in downtown Milwaukee could carry an actual cost of at least $380 million including interest, according to a preliminary estimate by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
“Fiscal bureau officials call the $380 million figure an early estimate and say they need to learn more about the the bond deal before issuing a more definitive dollar amount.” The higher dollar figure is certain to add fuel to concerns of opponents of Walker’s plan. He included the arena bonds in his budget Feb. 3 as the state’s contribution toward a $400 million to $500 million arena.
Debate on the budget including the proposed arena bonds will begin in earnest in April at the state Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance. The Milwaukee Bucks owners have pledged at least $150 million to the arena project and former owner Herb Kohl will donate $100 million. Some Republican legislative leaders have called on the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to also provide a portion of the funding.
Arena supporters including the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce are counting on the $220 million in state money to pay for a major chunk of the arena project cost.
Well, like I said, around all the fluff and politics it is definitely a pricey project. I hope that numbers can be crunched and the best decision is made for our city. I look forward to visiting our new arena; oh and of course, checking out a Bucks game or two.