'We want to be here long-term': Brewers, business owners respond to Gov. Evers' $290M proposal

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- While lawmakers still have a lot to debate regarding Governor Tony Evers' plan to give the Brewers $290 million of the state's record surplus in exchange for an agreement to keep the team in Milwaukee until 2043, bar owner Anthony Luchini knows how he'd vote.

"I vote yes," Luchini laughed. "I think everybody around here votes yes."

Luchini owns Kelly's Bleachers, a sports bar on Bluemound Road that offers free shuttles to and from all Brewers home games.

"Six months out of the year, hopefully seven months if they make playoffs, that's what brings in all of our business," Luchini said. "I don't think there would be a business district over here (Bluemound) without the Brewers."

Brewer's President of Business Operations, Rick Schlesinger, says while he understands $290 million is a big price tag, he says it's one that's necessary to invest in the future of American Family Field and the Brewers.

"Whenever you're talking about using the public's money, it's not insignificant, whether it's $29 or $29 million," Schlesinger said. "We're asking for nothing more than what the district promised us and what we bargained for in 1996 when the ballpark was created, the ballpark was funded and our lease was signed."

Schlesinger says the value the team and the stadium provides the city of Milwaukee and the state will pay back the investment and then some.

"I think what we bring to the state in tax revenues and jobs and value to the state and entertainment, the brand, all the attributes of the ballpark, all the attributes of our team, all the entertainment value, all the revenue generated; I think that from my perspective, it's a good investment for the state to put in that money," Schlesinger explained. "The return they're going to get will exceed it."

While discussing the importance of the deal, Schlesinger also commented on the impact the team has on the local economy and businesses like Luchini's.

"It's not lost on us that we are meaningful and we are relevant to the economy of both the city and the region," Schlesinger said. "The support we get from the business community, from our fans, we're not successful, we're not here without that and we recognize that it's symbiotic of a relationship we have with them and those local businesses and the fans."

Schlesinger says he's optimistic lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will be able to work together to find a solution that works for all sides, adding the team has "no plan B."

"I am focusing 100% of my attention on making sure that this gets done," Schlesinger said. "We want to be here long-term. That's our goal."