If you've been downtown lately you've likely noticed the transformation of the new Milwaukee Bucks arena. Bucks managers say construction is nearly halfway complete, on schedule and on budget.
It's hard to imagine just eight months ago the 30-acre construction site was an empty lot.
"November we had steel come out of the ground," said Bucks President Peter Feigin.
Now, the arena's steel framing is almost finished, exterior glass is being put in place and escalators are ready for installation.
"We've got over 14,000 metal panels on the job,” said senior project manager Jeff Maples.
Inside the arena, roof trusses are being raised into position.
"We've got one fully installed," Maples said.
The Bucks’ motto of “Own the future” is just one year away from its centerpiece.
"We're really racing to the enclosure," Feigin said.
A 30,000 square foot area called the “Bucks campus” will have five locker rooms and the ability to execute a variety of events.
"Think about the NCAA’s, think about Frozen Four," Feigin said.
Feigin says more than 600 workers will soon climb to a thousand. Currently, 40 percent of the construction crew comes from within Milwaukee under the city’s Residential Preference Program.
Fans are already buying in.
"We've got five suites left out of 33,” Feigin said. “We've also sold through lofts which is another premium product."
Feigin says they hope to get 10,000 season ticket holders for the 2018, 2019 season.
"To put that into perspective of growth, three seasons ago, we were probably at the 2,500 mark," he said.
The exterior construction of the arena is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving. Then crews will move on to interior construction.
