An artist’s concept for the new Milwaukee Bucks arena.
Wisconsin lawmakers and Milwaukee-area officials plan to continue meeting to talk about financing a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks, and Governor Scott Walker now plans to get personally involved in the process.
Speaking to reporters in Milwaukee Wednesday, the governor said “I think it was important to show just how serious things are – that I want to personally be a part of that.”
Walker had proposed $220 million in bonding in his state budget to help finance the $500 million project, which the team says is needed to keep the Bucks in Milwaukee.
Republican leaders have shown hesitancy about the plan though, citing concerns that city and county government should take on a greater share of the cost. “They want to feel like the city and county have had a meaningful contribution to this overall arena, which obviously have great benefits for this region,” Walker said. However, he added “I don’t know if there’s a fixed dollar amount for that.”
Walker said he does hope to get a deal done quickly.
WUWM