"Marquette's position is clear:" MU joins "Play It Forward" in support of proposed Milwaukee Bucks arena

MILWAUKEE – Marquette University has announced it is joining the "Play It Forward Wisconsin Coalition" in support of the proposed Milwaukee Bucks arena and sports and entertainment complex in downtown Milwaukee.

“As we’ve said, when it comes to building a new arena in downtown Milwaukee, Marquette’s position is clear: The new arena is critical to the growth of Milwaukee as a first-class city that will attract and retain the bright young minds who will lead us into the future,” said Marquette President Michael R. Lovell. “We are confident that the new arena and surrounding developments will lead to long-term value through an increase in jobs, neighborhood stability, and will ultimately make the region a greater place to live, work, play and retire.”

Lovell also highlighted Marquette’s strategic partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks and emphasized the university’s commitment to being their top tenant in the new arena.

Joining Play It Forward is just the latest in Marquette’s public support for key community and economic development investments, including the arena. The university recently partnered with Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, MillerCoors and Potawatomi Business Development Corporation in a multi-million dollar effort to revitalize Milwaukee’s Near West Side with the aim of reinvigorating the region from Water Street to Wauwatosa.

The Play It Forward Wisconsin Coalition was established in 2014 and is committed to coming together as a community to ensure Southeast Wisconsin remains a vibrant and diverse entertainment destination with a new arena that meets the needs of the next generation of fans.

Marquette joins the coalition, along with a host of other organizations that already have pledged support of the arena, including the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors, the Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin, The Business Council, Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee Urban League, Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals, NEWaukee, FUEL Milwaukee and TEMPO Milwaukee.