Deer District concert venue announced, has competition
MILWAUKEE, Wis (CBS 58) -- Monday, May 23, the Milwaukee Bucks and concert promoter FPC Live announced a $50-million concert space next to Fiserv Forum.
Two concert halls are proposed, one with a capacity of 4,000 people, the other has space for 800. Charlie Goldstone, President of FPC Live, says the new space expects to host "no less than 135 event nights per year."
The project would need approval from the Milwaukee Common Council to move forward, but it does not involve tax money. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson was at today's announcement and called the proposal "a good thing for the Deer District... a good thing for the city as a whole."
Monday's announcement, and one made on Friday, appears to set the stage for fierce competition in Milwaukee to book acts.
While the Bucks and FPC Live are proposing a 4,000 capacity concert hall, a group lead by Kacmarcik Enterprises and the Pabst Theater Group are proposing a 3,500 capacity concert space along with a professional soccer stadium.
These new projects, adding to The Riverside, Turner Hall Ballroom, The Rave, and others begs the question, "How many concert halls does Milwaukee need?"
But Joel Plant, CEO of Frank Productions, the parent company of FPC Live, says there is room for all these stages, "They are all very unique rooms, these are not replacements for The Pabst or Riverside or Turner, or any of the existing rooms in Milwaukee," Plant said, "When you look at the ecosystem that exists today, you got some beautiful, iconic, well-cared-for theaters and smaller music venues. We have Fiserv, we have BMO Pavilion and the American Family Amphitheater, all are very distinct and unique. These two rooms will be additive to the market."