Multiple sources have told WisPolitics.com over the past two weeks the talks have been focused on an option that includes the Wisconsin Center District, which now operates the Wisconsin Center, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Milwaukee Theatre. The option includes combining those operations with the new arena into one entity and eventually using resources that now go to the Wisconsin Center District to help pay off a loan through the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. The sources have indicated there could be other revenue streams included in helping pay off the loan.
Vos said members of the BCPL attended today’s meeting to explain how a loan could work.
“In general, it sounds like we have a broad framework,” Vos said, though he later added, “We’re not quite there yet.”
Myranda Tanck, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, said the parties were working on drafting specifics over the next couple of days, but it wasn’t clear when anything final could be announced.
“We’re still ironing out a couple of details and getting something drafted hopefully in the next few days,” she said.
Of course, whatever deal they strike behind closed doors that sounds good to them doesn’t mean it will sound good to the public, Milwaukee Common Council, Milwaukee County Board, State Assembly, and State Senate. It’s always about the details…
I like that state share us down to $80 mil from the crazy $220 mil number.
I’d still want to see state portion $0 and it all be on Barrett and Abele.
My bet is: $80 mil will not pass unless Democrats cross over.