The design for the new Bucks arena unveiled Thursday "not surprisingly generated a wave of comments," with critics "likening it to a giant taco, a beer barrel and the sweeping hairstyle" of Donald Trump, according to a front-page piece by Mary Louise Schumacher of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The release "marked the next step in the public dialogue and approval process with the City of Milwaukee," which is "necessary for construction to begin this year." Architects are "careful to say the designs are still in progress and able to be modified." Many architecture professionals "acknowledged the complexity of balancing great design with exceedingly complex needs of a massive, multiuse arena." Much of the reaction so far has been "centered on the dramatic shape of the arching roof, the gritty look of the zinc cladding and public spaces." Some referred to the roof as "modern and gutsy, while others saw it as less than novel." Some "criticized the evocation of the Rust Belt made by the building's standout material: zinc." Continuum Architects + Planners co-Founder & Principal Ursula Twombly said the design "should get away from the Rust Belt look." Populous Senior Architect Brad Clark said that referencing the Rust Belt was "never intended." Clark: "That skin has always been about being streamlined and taut and tailored and warm" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/18).
BANG FOR THE BUCKS: In Milwaukee, Sean Ryan noted the Bucks yesterday followed up renderings of their new arena by unveiling images of a planned training facility, which is targeted for completion in summer '17. The facility and a "connected commercial building with up to 30,000 square feet of space" would be on the "western border of the planned downtown Milwaukee arena district." Eppstein Uhen Architects President Greg Uhen, whose firm is teaming up with Populous on the design, said that it will have "state-of-the-art equipment and basketball courts for the team with facilities akin to an athletic laboratory" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/17). Ryan also noted City of Milwaukee officials approved an $8M financing agreement with the Bucks "to help pay for a new parking structure." The 1,243-stall parking garage is estimated to cost $35M and represents "the bulk of the city's overall financial contribution to the arena project." The city will "own the parking structure and evenly split its revenue with the Bucks development group." Bucks President Peter Feigin said that "the structure could break ground in June" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/17).
