Bucks’ plans include building for beer garden
The Milwaukee Bucks want to include a 2,000square-foot building as part of their beer garden “connector” between the arena plaza and N. Old World 3rd St.
The building would sit adjacent to the south side of The Loaded Slate restaurant, 1137 N. Old World 3rd, and have an entrance on 3rd St., said Marc Farha, executive vice president of Icon Venue Group, who represents the Bucks owners for the arena project.
The addition of the building was disclosed in documents filed with the city seeking changes to the development plan for the “entertainment block,” the cluster of buildings that the Bucks are constructing on the east side of the $524-million arena.
The Bucks previously received approval for other parts of the complex, including the beer garden. That calls for an overhead canopy protecting the walkway and gathering areas in the space that the Bucks control between The Loaded Slate and Ugly’s bar, 1125 N. Old World 3rd St.
The new single-story building would be a part of the beer garden complex.
Previously released renderings of the beer garden show informal seating and gathering areas, a long gas fireplace and a large screen TV. Updated renderings that include the new building are not available, Farha said.
The beer garden and other parts of the entertainplan
ment block are under construction on the site that previously held a large cityowned parking ramp east of N. 4th St., between W. Highland and W. Juneau avenues. The “Legends” ramp, nicknamed for the sports bar on the ground level, was torn down as arena constructenants tion got underway last year.
Structural steel and walls have been erected for one of the buildings on the south side of the complex.
At the north end, workers have installed the foundation and the core for an elevator shaft, Farha said. Structural steel work will begin on that building in a few weeks, he said.
All of the buildings should be fully enclosed by the summer, he said.
The Bucks have not announced for any of the buildings, which are expected to include a brewpub, restaurant, retail space and other amenities.
The updated beer garden plan will be considered by the Plan Commission and City Council in April.
Built with $250 million in public money, the new Bucks arena is scheduled to open in late summer. The entertainment block buildings are not expected to open until next spring.