Deer District development may limit future crowd sizes
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- One of the iconic images from Tuesday's Bucks championship win was tens of thousands of fans crowding the Deer District.
Police said 100,000 people were there.
However, if the Bucks make another finals run, there may be far less space for crowds in the future.
The Bucks have plans to redevelop the gravel lots.
Plans have already been announced to build a hotel on the lot that hosted a temporary stage during the NBA Finals.
"It shows the country and world that Milwaukee can handle big league events, big time events, that we can play in the big leagues," said Alderman Robert Bauman.
He said the images proved Milwaukee has got heart, and he believes further redevelopment of the lots will soon follow.
"I would expect that to be subject to development proposals in the next six to nine months, for sure," said Bauman.
A new hotel was announced early this summer.
"This is not only a destination for people who will stay in Milwaukee, but this will obviously have restaurants, this will have an unbelievable rooftop bar to make as a destination for residents of the city and really complement a lot of the things we're doing around the Deer District," said Bucks President Peter Feigin in May.
Future plans include possible office space and housing. Bauman supports that and more hotel space.
"We're going to need a substantial amount of hotel capacity to support a bigger convention center so I think there will be a big emphasis on hotel development," said Bauman.
"My hope is that it will lead to job opportunities for some of the residents that live right there, nearby," said Alderwoman Milele Coggs.
She wants to see new opportunities be inclusive for all residents, and hopes Tuesday's iconic images will help.
"I think the vision when the Park East freeway came down was for that area to be redeveloped, it has taken awhile, but my hope is that after this it will happen," said Coggs.
Construction on the hotel is supposed to start this fall with an opening date set in 2023.