Bucks unveil plans for new $500M downtown arena complex

The Milwaukee Bucks are ready to class things up.

The Bucks unveiled plans Wednesday for a new, multi-purpose $500-million arena complex in downtown Milwaukee, just north of the BMO Harris Bradley Center, which was opened in 1988 and is the NBA's second-oldest non-renovated arena. It would be torn down to make way for the new development.

The Bucks hope to use the arena - for which they've enlisted Kansas City-based design group Populous - as a springboard for an additional $500 million in nearby development, according to Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel.

Popolous has spearheaded the designs for 15 NBA and NHL arenas.

"These early conceptual renderings represent the owners’ vision to create a world-class facility and year-round destination that will revitalize downtown Milwaukee and spur growth and development throughout the region," said senior Populous designer Brad Clark. "The goal is to design a lasting symbol for all of Wisconsin, pairing the crafted scale of Milwaukee’s architecture and innovative spirit with the natural beauty of the state."

The Bucks development would reportedly include a 700,000-square-foot, 17,000-seat arena, a 60,000-square-foot public plaza and arena parking across the street, totaling 1 million square feet in all.

The entire development is expected to be phased in over 10 to 12 years, and could include an additional 3 million square feet of office, entertainment, retail, residential, hotel, commercial and parking structures.

"We’re not just trying to build a new home for the Milwaukee Bucks, but create a 365-day attraction for Wisconsin residents that will help revitalize downtown Milwaukee," said Bucks president Peter Feigin.

"We’re excited to share this glimpse of our vision for the future as we continue to work with our local and state partners to arrive at a viable plan. This collective effort will create a ripple effect of growth, development and transformation for the entire community and region."

Hoping to avoid using taxpayer money, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker laid out a plan in January by which $220 million in state bonds would go towards funding the project, an amount he claimed income tax revenue from players and visiting teams would help generate.

Bucks owners Wes Edens and Marc Lasry pledged an additional $150 million, and former owner Herb Kohl committed $100 million, leaving an estimated $30 million for the city to fill in.

It's worth noting that Wisconsin Assembly speaker Robin Vos has said Walker's proposal has zero chance of passing in its current iteration.