» Honoring Jane Bradley Pettit:
Bradley Center’s last year to honor philanthropist who donated arena
The final year of the BMO Harris Bradley Center will include a fundraising campaign for 16 organizations supported by the philanthropist who donated the arena.
The final year of the BMO Harris Bradley Center will include a fundraising campaign for 16 area organizations that were supported by Jane Bradley Pettit, the philanthropist who donated the arena to the community.
The Bradley Center, which opened in 1988, is being replaced by the new $524 million arena that the Milwaukee Bucks are constructing next door. The new Bucks arena is being built with $250 million in public money and is slated to open in time for the 2018-’19 NBA season.
On Tuesday at an arena floor news conference, Bradley Center officials announced plans for the final year of the arena’s operation. In addition to home games for the Bucks and Marquette University men’s basketball team, there’s a busy schedule of concerts and other programs.
Pettit and her generosity were on the minds of everyone at Tuesday’s event, a gathering that Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton said had a “bittersweet” flavor.
That started with the initial greeting, an audio blast from the past, from the Bradley Center’s opening night in 1988. “Welcome everybody to the house that Jane built!” boomed the voice of Lloyd Pettit, the former Chicago Blackhawks announcer and then-husband of Jane.
A parade of officials offered their favorite memories of games and shows at the arena, something that will be a theme in the months ahead as indicated by “What Will You Remember?” banners.
“This building here has really rocked the last 29
years,” said Bradley Center President and CEO Steve Costello.
During the final year of the Bradley Center, special attention will be paid to the legacy of Pettit, who donated the $90 million arena in memory of her father, Harry Lynde Bradley, co-founder and chairman of the Allen-Bradley Co. The company is now Rockwell Automation.
The effort will culminate with an April 11 civic gala on the Bradley Center floor to raise at least $200,000 for 16 area charities that Pettit or her foundation supported, a news release said.
“Jane Pettit was a leader in our community,” said Carmen Pitre, president and CEO of the Sojourner Family Peace Center.
“Her passion enhanced our city through her generosity and dedication to helping individuals and families who were hurting,” she said. “Her commitment to the well-being of women and girls was unwavering — she was a champion of Sojourner’s work and so many other local organizations who work to help better Milwaukee.”
Sojourner is one of three groups that were announced Tuesday as those included in the fundraising campaign. The others are Hunger Task Force and Next Door.
Bradley Center board Chairman Ted Kellner said that the campaign has already raised $40,000.
“Giving was at the very heart of my grandmother’s character, and that generosity was motivated by a love of Milwaukee and its people,” said Sarah Zimmerman, Pettit’s granddaughter and a member of the Bradley Center board.
“The depth of her generosity and the vision she had to serve the community and bring about real and lasting change were truly breathtaking,” she said. “The BMO Harris Bradley Center is the most cherished example of that vision, and it has always been a source of great pride for our family.”
The final season will also include opportunities for the public to tour the center, starting with a free public open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 7.
Key upcoming events at the Bradley Center include the Bucks’ regular season opener Oct. 20 and Marquette’s home opener Nov. 10. The last regular season Bucks game will be played at the Bradley Center April 9.
Demolition of the Bradley Center is expected to begin once the Bucks receive an occupancy permit for their new arena.