Ben Franklin, one of our nation’s Founding Fathers, famously said, “Well done is better than well said.” Milwaukee has a long history of ideas that are well said. There is no shortage of opinions and sound ideas on how to attract companies to the city, how to improve the public transportation system and how to get more people to live in the city. But these well-intentioned ideas, more often than not, don’t get implemented. Finally, after a decade of virtually no new development, things are happening. In the August 2015 issue of this magazine, I wrote a column focusing on development in downtown Milwaukee titled “Proposed New Arena for Milwaukee Bucks Could Lead to a Development Run.” Indeed, that’s what is happening. After much debate, the arena is finally under construction. It will span 715,000 square feet and hold 17,500 people. Just as impressive is the ancillary development surrounding the arena, including the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center that will serve as the new practice and training facility for the Milwaukee Bucks as well as a health center. The new Arena District will also be home to a “live block” comprised of four to five …
