Bucks entertainment center clears hurdle

Plans call for work to begin in spring

A downtown entertainment center that the Milwaukee Bucks will develop just east of the basketball team’s future arena has received another important city endorsement.

The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee on Tuesday recommended approval for the development. That follows December’s Plan Commission endorsement, with the full council to review the proposal next week.

Bucks affiliate Deer District LLC plans to begin construction this spring and complete the entertainment center and arena by fall 2018.

The conceptual design plans, which could change, call for three buildings, separated by two public walkways, totaling 104,000 square feet, east of N. 4th St. between W. Highland and W. Juneau avenues. They will replace a former city-owned parking structure that Deer District is demolishing.

The Bucks haven’t yet disclosed the names of restaurants, taverns and other businesses for the development.

But the conceptual plans show a possible craft brewery in the largest building. It would be on the site’s northern portion, with brewing equipment showcased behind large windows facing both N. 4th St. and W. Juneau Ave.

That building will have up to four stories. It will be next to a year-round beer garden within a covered pedestrian walkway in the middle of the development.

That walkway will run between the two larger buildings, from N. Old World 3rd St. to the outdoor plaza west of the entertainment center.

The outdoor plaza, which the council’s Public Works Committee approved last week, will replace one closed block of N. 4th St. and will connect the entertainment center to the future Bucks arena.

A shorter walkway, connecting N. 4th St. to W. Highland Ave., runs between the middle building and a smaller building on the site’s southern portion. Deer District’s plans show both of those buildings with two stories.

Deer District is building the arena west of N. 4th St.,

just north of the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

The $524 million arena project, including a new parking structure north of W. Juneau Ave. and east of N. 6th St., features $250 million in state, county and city funds.

The entertainment center is being privately financed.