In Milwaukee, Tom Daykin reports the proposed design for a new Bucks arena yesterday "received its first city approval," helping prepare the $500M project "for a planned construction start this summer." The Milwaukee Plan Commission "voted 4-0 to recommend approval." The detailed plan development also "needs Common Council approval" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/5).
UNDER THE SHADE: In West Palm Beach, Andrew Abramson noted construction crews at Sun Life Stadium are "working 24/7 with some of the largest cranes in the country to build the canopy which will give shade and weather protection to fans at the stadium." Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel said, "Right now we're on schedule, and it's a tight schedule" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 4/4).
SHELL GAME: In Orlando, Alicia DelGallo notes Orlando City SC Chair & Majority Owner Flavio Augusto da Silva yesterday visited the team's stadium site "for the first time." The $155M venue is "on schedule to open" for the '17 MLS season. Fans can "expect to see the basic shell of a stadium take shape by late July." Once completed, the stadium will "hold nearly 26,000 people." da Silva said, "Things are moving very fast right now. We can see the hope. ... It's much better to have 26,000 seats in the downtown area than to have 35,000 seats in a west or east area. We're going to have sold out games every game. Everybody loves to go to a full party" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/5).
WAITING GAME: In St. Paul, Andy Greder reported the Minnesota High School Football All-Star Game will "move to U.S. Bank Stadium" this year. The game will be played on a Saturday in early December "before a Vikings Sunday home game, and the uncertain date is because the NFL schedule has yet to be released." The Vikings "reached out to the MFCA to host and sponsor the game" at their new $1B stadium (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 4/2).
