Where we stand: United, divided or not at all?

[sprintjeløy1926]

So we've known about this latest MLS push for several months now. Peter has been brought in to get the job done, the Commish has been to MKE for a visit and some big timers have weighed in for and against. We've talked about stadium locations and team names. But there isn't anything concrete yet, that the general public is aware of at least.

I'm guessing a lot is going on behind the scenes right now and that we'll get some answers, good or bad, in the next few weeks.

But where does everyone think we stand? The biggest question is obviously unknown to most of us, but what are your general impressions of the effort so far?

[kebzach]

From what we know, I'd say it isn't overly different from many other movements. But, I don't think we know all that there is to know.

[blackjack]

To me the whole thing seems like a disorganized mess. Call me a cynic, but the fact that we've heard nothing about potentialland purchases or finances in at least a month tells me that things are going very, very slowly. As much as I'd love for this to happen, it seems like Toronto, Vancouver, Houston, and maybe even Cleveland are still ahead of us right now. At least there's news coming out of those places.

[Pygmalion]

Maybe Toronto, but the others I just don't see. The reputations of the people directly involved in this puts us at number 1 or 2. It is frustrating not having the inside scoop but negotiations don't take place in the public eye. That said, I would be a lot more confident if we had a better sense of the investors involved and the actual dollars that have been committed. Until then, we're just crossing fingers.

[MLS3]

are you guys serious, these things go on behind the scenes, having it out in public is usually a death wish...

remember when cleveland and oklahoma city were guaranteed teams, the whole press conference, etc...remember seattle??? san antonio...andrew murstein...even this toronto bid, who knows if they will have everything done by the deadline, my guess is since its public now, i doubt it...

[scaryice]

are you guys serious, these things go on behind the scenes, having it out in public is usually a death wish...

remember when cleveland and oklahoma city were guaranteed teams, the whole press conference, etc...remember seattle??? san antonio...andrew murstein...even this toronto bid, who knows if they will have everything done by the deadline, my guess is since its public now, i doubt it...

Toronto is way different than San Antonio. It's 99% a done deal.

[Peter Wilt]

We are working on seven different parallel paths. The soccer community path has been pretty public (see the weekly updates on the website for more info) and i'm pleased with the progerss we're making there. The political, corporate, real estate, MLS, media and investor efforts have all been behind the scenes out of necessity due to the proprietary nature of the negoatiations.

i would say we are making significant progress on the political, MLS and investor paths. Corporate support efforts won't ramp up until the project becomes more real. Our greatest energy has been focused on the real estate component. We have been forced off the ParkEast site and have been making good progress with alternative site(s) and land owners. Each site permits different uses for the ancillary real estate, which requires new pro formas. These are time consuming activities, but i remain confident that we are on a path to success with this project.

i would like to get some more details into the media in order to keep the project in the public eye. This may or may not be possible in the short term due to the sensitivity of negotiations.

Thanks for all your continued interest.

peter

[Minnman]

Thanks, Peter. Too bad about being "forced off" of Park East. But as long as there's a workable downtown location, I remain optimistic.

And if public announcements were an accurate measure of a a plan's viability, the MetroStars would have had a stadium several years ago.

[MU88]

We are working on seven different parallel paths. The soccer community path has been pretty public (see the weekly updates on the website for more info) and i'm pleased with the progerss we're making there. The political, corporate, real estate, MLS, media and investor efforts have all been behind the scenes out of necessity due to the proprietary nature of the negoatiations.

i would say we are making significant progress on the political, MLS and investor paths. Corporate support efforts won't ramp up until the project becomes more real. Our greatest energy has been focused on the real estate component. We have been forced off the ParkEast site and have been making good progress with alternative site(s) and land owners. Each site permits different uses for the ancillary real estate, which requires new pro formas. These are time consuming activities, but i remain confident that we are on a path to success with this project.

i would like to get some more details into the media in order to keep the project in the public eye. This may or may not be possible in the short term due to the sensitivity of negotiations.

Thanks for all your continued interest.

peter

Peter,

Across the street from Valleyfields, west of the Casino, would make a great spot. The casino may be inclined to invest in a facility, if the stadium could bring a few bodies into the gambling hall. Naming rights, etc. There is room and parking.

[Peter Wilt]

Peter,

Across the street from Valleyfields, west of the Casino, would make a great spot. The casino may be inclined to invest in a facility, if the stadium could bring a few bodies into the gambling hall. Naming rights, etc. There is room and parking.

Thx. we are considering some valley locations. Site speculation/analysis may make another interesting thread....unfortunately, i won't be able to comment on them though.

peter

[Zak1FCK]

Thanks, Peter. Too bad about being "forced off" of Park East. But as long as there's a workable downtown location, I remain optimistic.

And if public announcements were an accurate measure of a a plan's viability, the MetroStars would have had a stadium several years ago.

It is the backward thinking in the city regarding development and TIF districts. The Park East site has been off the table for a while (heard it from the mayor's office not from Peter). The one problem with the Valley is that it is not downtown.

[Pygmalion]

Peter,

Thank you again for all of your hard work and for keeping us informed to the extent possible.

Very unfortunate news about the Park East land. Another location may work just as well or perhaps even better but it's hard to think of where.

There are enough nattering nabobs in this town, and with such a high-profile, politically sensitive site, the fight over that plot of land may have jeopardized an MLS team in Milwaukee alltogether. I'm assuming something rather "safe," uninspired or Bucks related will end up there now.

Wherever the next location is I hope there is enough density around it to make it part of the fabric of the city. Personally, the valley is not high on my list but I've got a "beggars can't be choosers" feeling settling in. I'll shake that off as soon as possible.

[sprintjeløy1926]

Peter,
I also want to thank you for keeping us up to date. Bummer about the Park East land but I'm glad to hear that you're making progress on other sites.

Zak, guess you're the inside guy. I'll be going to you for the skinny from here on out.

Nate

[fclalala]

I would like to see an adaptive reuse of an existing structure, but I don't think there are any out there big enough for a stadium. I know that none of the buildings in the Pabst site are big enough although using the fascade of the old Pabst Bottling House with all it's brick work and towers would be really cool. Are there any other sites that could be reused?

I was just doing some "research" and theCity of Milwaukee Brownfield Sites (PDF) (http://www.mkedcd.org/brownfields/mothballed.pdf) lists two sites greater than 1.6 million sq ft. One is listed as as old coal gassification plant and one is listed as former rail repair yards.

[Minnman]

I hold out hope that the process over where the final site will be is an ongoing, ebb and flow, kind of affair. E.i. specific sites might be off the table today, but back on tomorrow based on certain variables.

I mean, are we bumped off of PE because of another proposal for the site? If so, what if that proposal falls through? Too, while I might be too optimistic about convincing non-soccer fans of the sport's and MLS's viability long-term, I can't help but hope that the opening of the Bridgeview stadium next year, the groundbreaking in Denver, the Salt Lake announcement this week, PHP, the HDC, Crew Stadium, a Toronto expansion/stadium probability, and, one can hope, groundbreaking in Harrison within a few months, might begin to turn some heads amoung Milwaukee's decision-making elite.

[WarrenWallace]

Thx. we are considering some valley locations. Site speculation/analysis may make another interesting thread....unfortunately, i won't be able to comment on them though.

peter

Site analysis people are evil. Yes, we are reallly that bad. I just wish I knew more about this type instead of commercial development. Oh well.

Thanks for the updates PW.

[sprintjeløy1926]

City,
what is that garbage you have for an avitar? I would say it looks like poo but I'm inclinded to believe it's a state with a similar aroma.

What happened, you lose a bet?

[WarrenWallace]

City,
what is that garbage you have for an avitar? I would say it looks like poo but I'm inclinded to believe it's a state with a similar aroma.

What happened, you lose a bet?

Long story. Friend is at Mayo, possibly won't make it out.

[sprintjeløy1926]

Foot, mouth, etc. etc. I've been doing a lot of that lately.

Sorry, City. Hope you're friend makes it.

[Zak1FCK]

I mean, are we bumped off of PE because of another proposal for the site? If so, what if that proposal falls through? Too, while I might be too optimistic about convincing non-soccer fans of the sport's and MLS's viability long-term, I can't help but hope that the opening of the Bridgeview stadium next year, the groundbreaking in Denver, the Salt Lake announcement this week, PHP, the HDC, Crew Stadium, a Toronto expansion/stadium probability, and, one can hope, groundbreaking in Harrison within a few months, might begin to turn some heads amoung Milwaukee's decision-making elite.


The stadium will not be in the park east because it would need a TIF. There will be no TIF for the stadium in the park east. The city might be open if there was not TIF, but I do not think it can built without one.