Two hours after the Fiserv Forum was opened, lines still stretched 50 people deep for self-guided toursBUCKS
The Bucks' Fiserv Forum is "officially open for business," and tens of thousands of people "got their first look" at the building yesterday, according to Patrick Leary of the MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Fan tours of the facility yesterday were "self-guided, and the concourses, especially the one on the main level, were packed with crowds sometimes 20 people across moving in both directions." Two hours after the facility's opening ceremony ended and "fans started entering the building, the line for the metal detectors between the Fiserv Forum and BMO Harris Bradley Center stretched consistently 50 people deep" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/26). In Milwaukee, James Nelson in a front-page piece notes with temperatures in the 80s, the Bucks "wisely opened the doors" for the fan tours at 12:45pm CT, "before the ribbon was cut." Yesterday's event was also when the Bucks "formally unveiled the name of the plaza in the east side of the arena's main entrance as Herb Kohl Way," after former Bucks Owner and Senator Herb Kohl. The Bucks said that 64,639 people "downloaded tickets to the afternoon-long free event." The Panorama Club, a "rafters-high vantage point available for all fans, was a popular destination" for fans touring the new facility. Lines formed for people to "hike the stairs or take the elevator to the area, which will also be used for special events" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 8/27). Bucks Senior VP Alex Lasry tweeted, "Thank you Wisconsin!!! Thanks for showing out and for all of your support! The next chapter of Bucks basketball is upon us" (TWITTER.com, 8/26).
JUST GETTING STARTED: The JOURNAL SENTINEL's Nelson in a front-page piece wrote Fiserv Forum is "part of the transformation that the Bucks and local officials believe" the facility has "ignited in the northwest portion of downtown Milwaukee." Mayor Tom Barrett said, "The arena is already paying dividends. We're seeing more activity and continued interest in economic development and growth in this area, and that means jobs." Bucks co-Owner Wes Edens said, "I didn't just want to build an arena. I wanted us to play a real role in revitalizing downtown Milwaukee." Nelson notes the Bucks owners and Kohl "delivered on their promise to cover more than half of the cost of the arena," as taxpayers contributed $250M. Kohl said of the public financing packages, "Everybody did their jobs." Edens said, "It was a very fair deal for everyone. It's so important in life to deliver on the promises that we make." Bucks co-Owner Mike Fascitelli "estimated that, including the arena," about $750M in development has "come to the area" recently (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 8/26). Basketball HOFer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tweeted, "This is officially the BEST arena in the NBA today & definitely worth seeing a game here. There is not a bad seat in the house & an unbelievable panorama view of the game from the 3rd floor -- Milwaukee has transformed!" Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: "The home of the @Bucks @FiservForum looks amazing! We are fans! #BuildTheFuture #FearTheDeer" (TWITTER.com, 8/26).
