Milwaukee Bucks hire architectural firms to develop designs for new arena

Milwaukee Bucks owners announced Wednesday that they have hired a group of global, national and local architects to begin developing designs for a new sports and entertainment complex downtown Milwaukee. 

“Wisconsin deserves a world-class sports and entertainment destination that embraces Milwaukee's architecture and incorporates innovative elements from across the globe,” said Bucks co-owner Wes Edens. “By hiring a design team to help create a vision for this development, we continue to work toward ensuring that the Bucks permanently remain a vital Wisconsin asset.” 

The group will be led by Populous, a global design practice that specializes in arena, stadium, ballpark and convention center design. Populous has designed 15 NBA or NHL arenas, including Amway Center, one of the NBA's newest arenas, and the firm is currently working on new arena projects in Quebec City and Las Vegas. 

Populous has teamed with HNTB and Eppstein Uhen, which bring a total of over 200 years of national and local design expertise across various fields. Collectively, HNTB and Eppstein Uhen employ nearly 300 Wisconsin residents and have worked on thousands of projects in the state. 

While the development of a sports and entertainment center still requires state and local government support, Bucks owners say they are engaging architects now to help ensure the project is able to meet the anticipated deadline. 

Earlier this month, Governor Scott Walker turned down an offer from the Menominee Tribe to pay the state taxpayer share of a new arena in exchange for approval of a proposed casino in Kenosha. 

A spokesperson for Walker said that offer was not necessary because the funding for the arena through the proposed 'Pay Their Way' plan comes from projected income from team taxes, salary increases and television contracts.