Residents Express Thoughts on Milwaukee Bucks Arena to Architects

More than 200 Milwaukee residents came to the Turner Hall downtown on Cinco de Mayo to express their thoughts and concerns about the new  Milwaukee Bucks arena in front of a live panel sponsored by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The concerns focused on the effect on neighboring areas and buildings, energy efficiency, the design, weather durability, and cost and funding for the project.

Karen Gunther, former resident of Milwaukee, found the talks interesting. She appreciates how the Bucks and owners are making an effort to invest on making the city better.

“Those of us who grew up in Milwaukee would appreciate the fact that someone cares,” said Gunther.

Still, she is concerned about what will happen to the neighborhood and if any historical buildings, such as Turner Hall, are at risk of losing business and even demolition.

“They are talking about major changes to this neighborhood,” said Gunther. “What does that mean for the building that on this block right now?”

Erin Richards, news reporter for the Journal Sentinel and emcee of the panel, said the newspaper wanted to make a more engaging live panel and give a public a chance to have their voices heard to those involved.

“People were able to come here and have a civil discussion about the things that they liked about this concept and the things that they were concerned about,” said Richards. “Those people got a chance to express their voice to the people directly involved in the project.”

As part of the first Journal Sentinel Talks panel, the people there were directly involved in the arena project: Bucks President Peter Feigin, Brad Clark, lead architect for Populous, and Greg Uhen, CEO of Eppstein Uhen Architect, Inc. The forum also allowed the people in the forefront to explain why they think it will be beneficial to the arena.

“You will experience the history of Milwaukee, the Bucks and Wisconsin when you go through this arena,” said Feigin. “That is what people want; they want to be a part of the fabric,”

“We’re promoting and designing a sustainable arena,” said Clark.

“It brings additional interest to our city,” said Uhen.

The talk was run by Journal Sentinel Reporters Tom Daykin and Mary Louise Schumacher. Daykin and Schumacher, along with guest critic Steven Chung from the show Cool Spaces, gave their thoughts and opinions on the project directly to the people involved. They also asked questions along with the audience to get further information.

“You guys have done great buildings, we have seen you do great buildings,” said Schumacher. “We want a great building.”

Chung points out that it is important for the lead people to pay attention and to get this right since Milwaukee is a smaller city. Unlike Los Angeles or New York, it is more important for a smaller city like Milwaukee to have a venue like this in order to thrive.

“This is so important for this city,” said Chung. “This is way more important because there is so much riding on it.”

Many people who came were satisfied with the panel.

“It’s nice to get to talk to the Bucks and the designers and get critiques on what other people think about the arena and how it will affect the city,” said Jomo Taylor, Milwaukee resident. “Everything pretty much got covered.”

“I thought it was nice that they were talking about this,” said Ade Moore, Milwaukee resident. “I think it’s going to be a good project.

While many people were satisfied with the talk of the project, others still had signs of concern.

“Why are we (as a public) investing so much money that is for the benefit for billionaires in Milwaukee and outside of Milwaukee,” said Dan Buckler, Milwaukee resident and former Ohio resident. “I just don’t want our money to go to waste.”

Buckler also points out that many people are still not in favor of the arena fundamentally. He hopes it all pans out, but he looks at it from more of a historical perspective.

“Have athletic events, arenas and fields been positive economic investments when you take in to consider public investments,” said Buckler. “Mostly no, they have been good investments.

What is known is that if and when the arena is built, the current arena, the BMO Harris Bradley Center, is scheduled for demolition. If approved, there will be a groundbreaking for the construction on Jun. 18.