Milwaukee funding for new Bucks arena goes before public

The public’s first opportunity to formally comment on part of a $500 million funding plan to build a new Milwaukee Bucks arena attracted an overflow crowd Monday evening, with one group questioning how the city has enough money to help pay for the project but not neighborhood or school investments.

Milwaukee Development Commissioner Rocky Marcoux laid out how the city plans to generate its $47 million share of public funding for a new arena and entertainment district, primarily through special tax districts.

A spokeswoman for Common Ground, a group opposed to the funding plan, told city leaders that if so much money was readily available to build a facility for a professional sports team, there “must also be a similar investment in our neighborhoods and our children.” “How am I supposed to explain to my daughter that our public officials could find millions of taxpayer dollars to help (the) billionaire Bucks owners build their new, luxury play space, but not a cent for her public school soccer field that’s literally underwater half the season?” Eve Hall, head of the Milwaukee African-American Chamber of Commerce, said she supports the financing plan for “what it means for the city and for the state,” framing the team as important attraction.