What features should the new arena have?

[Goose85]

The new arena in Milwaukee is getting much closer to a reality, and the excitement will soon turn to what will this state of the art facility have, if anything, to make it unique?

We know it will have more lower bowl seats.
We know it will be built for basketball only.

Here is a question to those that have been to, or seen other venues, or those that just have ideas.

What amenity or different features do you like in other venues that you would like to see inside the arena in Milwaukee (like Friday's at Miller Park, etc)?

[Nukem2]

More legroom.

[TedBaxter]

No access for the lower bowl people to an area under the bowl where you can see them leaving early and coming in late at halftime.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

• Retail & Restaurants: I'm sure this is a given, but a club shop, and perhaps one with an extension of the Marquette Spirit Shop, should be available year-round, and the same goes for maybe a restaurant or two and bars. Similar to how Miller Park has the Brewers Club Store and TGI Friday's, though I'd like more options. I do like the bar/restaurant in Miller Park where you can go sit down, eat, and watch the game as well. Nice touch.
• West Side Parking: Also probably a given, but any dedicated parking facilities should be located west of the new arena, near the on ramps for I-43 to facilitate quick entry and exit from the arena while also preventing some of the clogging that happens downtown currently after games.
• Wi-Fi: I'm sure this would be a big cost, but in the modern age, not much is more infuriating in the BC than not being able to access Twitter or the Internet to keep up with game news. Why was there a stoppage in play, what was said by the player that resulted in a Technical, there should be enough internet connectivity that fans can keep updated online during the game.
• Event Apps: Going with the Wi-Fi, I'd like to see apps dedicated to enhancing the fan experience at games.
• Face the action: Currently there are quite a few seats in the BC that leave you facing well off-center. I'd like to see the new arena designed so no matter where you are sitting, the seats are comfortably aimed at roughly the center of the action.
• Kids distractions: I'm not a dad, so I can't say what would be the best things to have, but maybe basketball shooting games, meet and greets with Bango, stuff like that. I have friends that say they can bring their kid to Miller Park and only watch 2-3 innings and spend the rest of the time enjoying the things they have for kids. Seems like a good idea for a family friendly environment.
• Order From Your Seat: Another App idea, allow fans to order concessions from their seat then pick them up. This should require fans to pay online so people don't just order crap and not collect it.
• Definitive Milwaukee Theme: I'm not even sure what I mean by this, but it should evoke Milwaukee. Whether it's having an in-stadium brewery, having the city skyline prominently displayed somewhere, or having busts of the Fonz, Laverne & Shirley, or sports icons like Yount, Moncrief, and McGuire. However they do it, you should know from being inside the arena that you are in Milwaukee.
• 8+ Sided Scoreboard: I don't just want state of the art, I want a scoreboard that is clearly visible from any angle.

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A few ideas for starters...

[MayorBeluga]

Two statues: Gail Pudvan and Al McGuire getting flipped off by the Hughes father.

[mufansince72]

Open concourse type areas with standing room and tables where you can see the action from a table or bar stool.
Maybe even general admission areas such as this where you don't have a seat, but are in the arena. Kind of like what they have done at the Dallas Football Stadium.

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

Maybe even general admission areas such as this where you don't have a seat, but are in the arena. Kind of like what they have done at the Dallas Football Stadium.

I really like this idea, especially for an arena that is only expected to seat 17,000. Will allow for the opportunity to draw a few thousand more to games.

[Gato78]

Two statues: Gail Pudvan and Al McGuire getting flipped off by the Hughes father.

This concept is excellent, however, would Caribou ever cease his paralyzed gaze upon the Pudvan statue? Might be a little embarrassing for everyone else.

[Cooby Snacks]

No tunnels directly behind the baskets!

Maybe a little hall of fame/history exhibit for the Bucks and MU.

Seating that hugs and faces the court as opposed to the BC setup.

More lower deck than upper deck seating.

Tiered seating that allows people in the 2nd and 3rd levels to be more on top of the floor rather than pushed back a few hundred feet.

Most importantly, a lower roof that keeps the place LOUD.

[Cooby Snacks]

Also, I believe Populous is signed on to do the project. Check out their work at www.populous.com/projects/type/basketball

Hopefully it's more like the Yum Center and Amway Center and less like the Sprint Center.