MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The future of two long-standing buildings in downtown Milwaukee was up for discussion at a City Hall hearing Tuesday, Nov. 18. 

Milwaukee Alderman Bob Bauman has filed a petition to grant historic designation to UW-Panther Arena and the Miller High Life Theater. He did that because the Wisconsin Center District hired a consultant to determine the best use of the land on which those buildings stand. 

At a public hearing Tuesday, Bauman and fellow zoning committee members heard representatives from organized labor who oppose the historic designation. 

"I've seen how historic preservation in Milwaukee can slow progress, limit redevelopment options and ultimately cost working people jobs they depend on," said Nick Campbell, assistant business manager with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 494

"Nothing that we do today will prevent that development from taking place. The only thing that we do here today will accomplish is creating a process," said Alderman Bauman. "A transparent, public process involving the redevelopment of two public buildings."

Milwaukee's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development committee voted in favor of the historic designation, which now moves to the full common council next week. 

Even if the council OKAYs the measure, historic designation will not guarantee the future of the two buildings.