End of an era: Last large portion of Milwaukee's Bradley Center comes tumbling down

MILWAUKEE --The last standing wall of the old Bradley Center came tumbling down on the morning of Friday, May 31 -- ending an era with a bang.

The building has been taken down bit by bit since being replaced by Fiserv Forum, located next-door.

"I think a little surreal," said Milwaukee Bucks President Peter Feigin.

It's the grand finale to a months-long demolition project, which got off the ground in January as the roof of the 30-year-old arena was imploded.

"A lot of history," said Oscar Lopez, Milwaukee resident.

Friday, Bucks fans like Oscar Lopez snapped one last shot.

"A little sad about it. That's why I had to drive by today to take one last look at it," said Lopez. "It's definitely going to be saved in my phone, to my computer, and my desktop for years to come and in the future I can look back and say, 'wow.'"

Speaking of the future, Bucks President Peter Feigin said there's potential to develop hotels, apartments, or commercial space in the empty lot.

"How to bring more people to the west side of the Milwaukee River and really populate the Deer District is the goal," Feigin said.

As the dust settled Friday, former Milwaukee resident Joshua Booker -- who's in town from Ohio -- saw Fiserv Forum for the first time.

"This is my proudest moment as a Bucks fan," said Booker.

While he says the transformation is bittersweet, he's welcoming the new chapter and making room for what's next.

"Kind of what you have to do to move forward, keep building and grow stronger," said Booker. "Kind of sad that an era has passed but I'm hopeful something better is coming."

Demolition officials said 90 percent of the Bradley Center structure was being recycled or reused -- with beneficiaries including the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Milwaukee Public Schools.

The roof on Milwaukee’s Bradley Center was demolished Sunday, Jan. 13. Officials at Advantage Blasting & Demolition, based in Pennsylvania, shared video of the demolition on their Facebook page.

The empty lot won't be built out until after the 2020 Democratic National Convention next summer. Bucks officials tell FOX6 News the lot will be used for convention staging and hospitality.

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