Milwaukee Bucks announce construction companies to build 'The Venue;' local theaters concerned

NOW: Milwaukee Bucks announce construction companies to build ’The Venue;’ local theaters concerned
NEXT:

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two Wisconsin-based construction companies will join the development of a new concert venue in the Deer District, Miron Construction Co., Inc. and JCP Construction.

Some local businesses in the area say this move is unwanted, however leaders of the project say this will bring more job opportunities to Milwaukee.

"Today we are announcing more partnerships that will also make sure that the venues are built and operated in ways that are great for Milwaukee's current and future workforce," said Joel Plant, CEO of Frank Production.

The project is estimated to provide close to 200 construction jobs.

"I wanted to see more growth, more development, more family-supporting jobs in Milwaukee," said Mayor Caviler Johnson.

Every worker on the job would be unionized, with 25% of those workers coming from Milwaukee.

"Looking at the city of Milwaukee, that those jobs will come from the ZIP codes that are having the biggest problems in the city of Milwaukee with employment, said Clifton Phelps, JCP Construction, vice president of business development.

This move comes as the U.S. economy grapples with labor shortages and historic unemployment rates. Now, the city of Milwaukee touting the possibility of new labor opportunities.

"Bringing these two spectacular venues to Deer District would add to our city's thriving music scene and reinforces Milwaukee as an evolving, exciting place to work, live and play," said Peter Feigin, president of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Although the proposed center will bring jobs, longstanding theaters in the area have concerns.

"What makes it difficult to compete with, is how do you compete with the monopoly who can afford to lose hundreds of millions of dollars a year and still stay in business?" said Gary Witt, CEO of the Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee.

Witt said the proposed space for the concert venue should have been allocated differently.

"The goal, of course, always was to add a convention hotel. I'm not quite sure that adding 12 jobs equals adding a convention hotel."

The space has not officially been given to the Bucks.

Next steps are for the project to be cleared by Milwaukee Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee.

If those steps are cleared the venue could open as early as 2024.

Share this article: