A New Year and New Ideas for Miller Park

[homer]

If the Brewers stayed good for a while, they could probably attract quite the crowd during road playoff games or important September games if they put up some projectors with the game on and put some resources into drawing people. I don't think it would work as an every game type thing though.

 

I expect the Bucks to do this in area outside the Forum.

 

I think that's basically the purpose of that giant screen they have.

[KeithStone53151]

If the Brewers stayed good for a while, they could probably attract quite the crowd during road playoff games or important September games if they put up some projectors with the game on and put some resources into drawing people. I don't think it would work as an every game type thing though.

 

Projectors? Couldn't they just use the scoreboard? I've thought about that, not sure if it would work. I can tell you if they charged $20 or whatever for parking plus $10-$20 to get in to MP it wouldn't work. But if it was like $10 total and they had the concessions open behind home plate it might attract a few thousand people.

 

Or if you mean just using projectors in the parking lot, same thing. I could see a decent crowd being there if they didn't charge too much for parking. Looking back to last season, we probably would have gone to something like that.

 

I was thinking moreso outside the stadium in the parking lot. I would think it much easier to manage outside the stadium. It might be tough to find revenue streams to keep parking reasonable enough that people want to come. Im not sure they could sell beer but maybe other concessions or brewers gear. Even if they didn't make a ton of money, i can't imagine there being significant costs involved. For 15-20 bucks to park, i would definitely want to go for a playoff game or the last couple games of September if it's close.

[paul253]

Want bars close to the stadium?There's a crap ton of them along Bluemound that are within walking distance if you want or they all have shuttles

 

I think “a crap ton” is a bit of an exaggeration. There are like three or four. Also “walking distance” is a bit of a stretch too. I’ve made that walk before and have regretted it about halfway through. If you’ve never actually walked from Bluemound to the stadium it’s a lot further than it seems. And on days when it’s either really cold, really hot, or raining making that walk is absolutely miserable. If you have young kids? Forget about it.

 

As far hotels right by the stadium. Not everyone needs it but some people like it. I much prefer it so I don’t have to worry about either taking public transit or paying for an Uber. Ive been to games in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis and have stayed at nearby hotels on all three cities. It’s a very nice option.

 

This doesn’t have to be an either or in terms of tailgating or development. As I said there is a bunch of land east of the stadium that probably could be bought up and turned into a stadium district. It would leave plenty of room for tailgating.

[rickh150]

Want bars close to the stadium?There's a crap ton of them along Bluemound that are within walking distance if you want or they all have shuttles

 

I think “a crap ton” is a bit of an exaggeration. There are like three or four. Also “walking distance” is a bit of a stretch too. I’ve made that walk before and have regretted it about halfway through. If you’ve never actually walked from Bluemound to the stadium it’s a lot further than it seems. And on days when it’s either really cold, really hot, or raining making that walk is absolutely miserable. If you have young kids? Forget about it.

 

As far hotels right by the stadium. Not everyone needs it but some people like it. I much prefer it so I don’t have to worry about either taking public transit or paying for an Uber. Ive been to games in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis and have stayed at nearby hotels on all three cities. It’s a very nice option.

 

This doesn’t have to be an either or in terms of tailgating or development. As I said there is a bunch of land east of the stadium that probably could be bought up and turned into a stadium district. It would leave plenty of room for tailgating.

 

Right with about all of this..... and who wants to walk that long at 10:00 P.M. in backstreet Milwaukee?

[sveumrules]

The walk from the stadium to Bluemound goes through the parking lot & then through Mitchell Boulevard Park.

 

No backstreets involved.

[homer]

Want bars close to the stadium?There's a crap ton of them along Bluemound that are within walking distance if you want or they all have shuttles

 

I think “a crap ton” is a bit of an exaggeration. There are like three or four. Also “walking distance” is a bit of a stretch too. I’ve made that walk before and have regretted it about halfway through. If you’ve never actually walked from Bluemound to the stadium it’s a lot further than it seems. And on days when it’s either really cold, really hot, or raining making that walk is absolutely miserable. If you have young kids? Forget about it.

 

As far hotels right by the stadium. Not everyone needs it but some people like it. I much prefer it so I don’t have to worry about either taking public transit or paying for an Uber. Ive been to games in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis and have stayed at nearby hotels on all three cities. It’s a very nice option.

 

This doesn’t have to be an either or in terms of tailgating or development. As I said there is a bunch of land east of the stadium that probably could be bought up and turned into a stadium district. It would leave plenty of room for tailgating.

 

Right with about all of this..... and who wants to walk that long at 10:00 P.M. in backstreet Milwaukee?

 

 

This really made me laugh. Thanks!

[Jkromb]

I like MP a lot. But if I could change one thing, it would be making that main restaurant something a lot better than a TGI Fridays. I have to wonder if they often regret that, or if at some point the lease expires and you can get something cooler in there. Something like a Maxie's or that quality of place would give a much more local and unique flair.

 

Not that I am a huge fan but I thought something like a Dave and Busters would've gone well in there. Something for the adults and the kids.

 

Thats what the Game is for. Im not going to Miller Park to play games and eat food. Im going to watch a baseball game.

[pacopete4]

I like MP a lot. But if I could change one thing, it would be making that main restaurant something a lot better than a TGI Fridays. I have to wonder if they often regret that, or if at some point the lease expires and you can get something cooler in there. Something like a Maxie's or that quality of place would give a much more local and unique flair.

 

Not that I am a huge fan but I thought something like a Dave and Busters would've gone well in there. Something for the adults and the kids.

 

Thats what the Game is for. Im not going to Miller Park to play games and eat food. Im going to watch a baseball game.

 

That’s great. For you. I am the same way. But for a lot of others, not so much.

[Jkromb]

Not that I am a huge fan but I thought something like a Dave and Busters would've gone well in there. Something for the adults and the kids.

 

Thats what the Game is for. Im not going to Miller Park to play games and eat food. Im going to watch a baseball game.

 

That’s great. For you. I am the same way. But for a lot of others, not so much.

 

i love what Target Field has..

[logan82]

They seriously couldn't replace TGI Friday's with a brewpub. They put a new brewpub every other week in the Madison Sun Prairie area.

[long ball]

Want bars close to the stadium?There's a crap ton of them along Bluemound that are within walking distance if you want or they all have shuttles

 

I think “a crap ton” is a bit of an exaggeration. There are like three or four. Also “walking distance” is a bit of a stretch too. I’ve made that walk before and have regretted it about halfway through. If you’ve never actually walked from Bluemound to the stadium it’s a lot further than it seems. And on days when it’s either really cold, really hot, or raining making that walk is absolutely miserable. If you have young kids? Forget about it.

Ok crap ton was exaggeration, but how many bars do you think they’d be able to put into this hypothetical ballpark village?

 

The walk to blue mound is barely further than the walk to the Molitor Lot. About a mile from the stadium to Kelly’s bleachers according to google maps. I don’t know where you’re going to build up anything much closer than that and even if you do you’re going to be pushing parking lots back just as far.

 

People hang out with their young kids at bars after Brewers games?

[paul253]

Ok crap ton was exaggeration, but how many bars do you think they’d be able to put into this hypothetical ballpark village?

 

Well I guess it would probably depend on how much land they bought up. If they bought up everything east to, say, the 35th St viaduct that’s a good chunk of land to build on. They could even use some of the Yount or Uecker lots as well.

 

The walk to blue mound is barely further than the walk to the Molitor Lot

 

We must have a different definition of “barely”.

 

Yes it’s a doable walk but, again, as someone who has made the walk before it’s much longer than it seems. If it was a nice short leisurely walk there wouldn’t be a need for shuttles.

 

People hang out with their young kids at bars after Brewers games?

 

Who said anything about hanging out with kids at bars after the games?

[owbc]

Some of these proposals sound like a more sterile or corporate version of the bars/restaurants on Bluemound, It's not clear what the benefit to the Brewers would be and in some ways it might be more of a burden. 75% of the business has to be sustained independent of baseball and when there isn't a game going on the area is entirely car-dependent and surrounded by a sea of asphalt. Mayfair Mall already checks those boxes and isn't that far away.

 

I think it would be market cannibalization to put a detached restaurant or bar on the Miller Park grounds. It's a bad idea from a business perspective. There's a reason why Friday's is attached to Miller Park and a ticket is required for entry. As others have noted, the addition of more open standing/socializing areas would be a better solution.

[Invader3K]

I've always been shocked there isn't a brewery of some sort attached to the stadium. Seems like a natural fit.

 

I really can't see any other big developments though. Any new bars/restaurants would likely cannibalize what's already on Bluemound.

[Oxy]

If there are hotel(s) or apartment buildings also go up then adding a few bars and restaurants certainly wouldn't affect existing businesses, it should only help the entire area. There is plenty of parking lot space to use--just put up a couple parking ramps connected to the hotels/bars/brewpubs/restaurants/movie theater/retail space complex type thing to replace the surface lots that it is built upon.

 

So it's not space...it's more of a culture thing. There is a certain charm to the vast lots used for tailgaiting. Still, I don't think it would infringe upon that too much as there is plenty of space.

[rickh150]

The walk from the stadium to Bluemound goes through the parking lot & then through Mitchell Boulevard Park.

 

No backstreets involved.

 

Except Bluemound itself...

[owbc]

If there are hotel(s) or apartment buildings also go up then adding a few bars and restaurants certainly wouldn't affect existing businesses, it should only help the entire area. There is plenty of parking lot space to use--just put up a couple parking ramps connected to the hotels/bars/brewpubs/restaurants/movie theater/retail space complex type thing to replace the surface lots that it is built upon.

 

So it's not space...it's more of a culture thing. There is a certain charm to the vast lots used for tailgaiting. Still, I don't think it would infringe upon that too much as there is plenty of space.

 

On game days I think many of those options would be competition rather than complimentary to Miller Park.

 

On non-game days they would be competing with other malls/entertainment areas that are designed for that sort of thing, which are far larger and superior. Especially with nobody actually living near the area.

 

I can't think of an example in MLB of what is being proposed--a ballpark village built entirely from scratch? All of the ones I can think of were either downtown or built as augments to pre-existing entertainment areas.

[homer]

The walk from the stadium to Bluemound goes through the parking lot & then through Mitchell Boulevard Park.

 

No backstreets involved.

 

Except Bluemound itself...

 

Story Hill is literally one of the safest neighborhoods in Milwaukee. I mean compared to Shiocton? or Mayville? Yes, there might be a few more robberies and what not. But for a small to medium to big sized city that area is incredibly safe.

 

Edit: Actually, I looked it up. Mayville had more thefts in 2016 than Story Hill neighborhood did in all of 2018. There were more assaults in Story Hill but that includes the Miller Park parking lot and Miller Park itself.

[sveumrules]

The walk from the stadium to Bluemound goes through the parking lot & then through Mitchell Boulevard Park.

 

No backstreets involved.

 

Except Bluemound itself...

 

Bluemound is Highway 18. It literally runs through the entire state.

 

So...not a backstreet.

[paul253]

On non-game days they would be competing with other malls/entertainment areas that are designed for that sort of thing, which are far larger and superior. Especially with nobody actually living near the area

 

Malls are mostly shopping areas with some restaurants and maybe an entertainment venue or two. This would be mostly entertainment with restaurants and maybe a few shops. Add in housing and a hotel and improve access and it could be succcessful. Malls are a thing of the past. Plus, there arent many malls or entertainment areas that are close to MP.

 

I can't think of an example in MLB of what is being proposed--a ballpark village built entirely from scratch? All of the ones I can think of were either downtown or built as augments to pre-existing entertainment areas

 

Forget about MLB. There are plenty of examples in Milwaukee. 84 South in Greenfield. The Mayfair Collection in Tosa. I don’t know what it’s called but there’s one in Oak Creek. All basically built on empty land and turned into areas with retail, restaurants and housing. This would be essentially the same thing just with more entertainment and less retail.

 

I realize this isn’t going to happen but i do think it’d be a good investment and it would be good for the city. Eventually you connect the street car to Miller Park and it would run right through the new village.

[Mr Southpaw]

On non-game days they would be competing with other malls/entertainment areas that are designed for that sort of thing, which are far larger and superior. Especially with nobody actually living near the area

 

Malls are mostly shopping areas with some restaurants and maybe an entertainment venue or two. This would be mostly entertainment with restaurants and maybe a few shops. Add in housing and a hotel and improve access and it could be succcessful. Malls are a thing of the past. Plus, there arent many malls or entertainment areas that are close to MP.

 

I can't think of an example in MLB of what is being proposed--a ballpark village built entirely from scratch? All of the ones I can think of were either downtown or built as augments to pre-existing entertainment areas

 

Forget about MLB. There are plenty of examples in Milwaukee. 84 South in Greenfield. The Mayfair Collection in Tosa. I don’t know what it’s called but there’s one in Oak Creek. All basically built on empty land and turned into areas with retail, restaurants and housing. This would be essentially the same thing just with more entertainment and less retail.

 

I realize this isn’t going to happen but i do think it’d be a good investment and it would be good for the city. Eventually you connect the street car to Miller Park and it would run right through the new village.

 

The closest example of what I am thinking is the Opreyland Hotel in Nashville, awesome place. It is a self contained hotel with restaurants/bars and shops. Add in some apartments/condos on floors 2-6 over the restaurants/bars and shops and you have a self contained population (maybe 200 condos) for these restaurants/bars and shops. If the hotel had an indoor poll with waterslides (Bernie Brewer like) and maybe a Brewers Hall of Fame it becomes a destination spot on weekend during the off season/winter. I think it would be cool.

[brooks_quichenick]

If the Brewers stayed good for a while, they could probably attract quite the crowd during road playoff games or important September games if they put up some projectors with the game on and put some resources into drawing people. I don't think it would work as an every game type thing though.

 

Something like what Turner Hall Ballroom had for a few of the road playoff games last year would be pretty awesome. TV broadcast on a big projector screen with WTMJ there syncing up Uecker's radio call to the video. It was a pretty fun environment watching with a few hundred other fans, add in the possibility of tailgating and I'd try to make it to one of these every time.

[Point Beer Is Best]

I didn't want to start a new thread since at this point it's just a rumor that I can't find substantiation for online yet. A coworker said he just got a text from his friend who works at Miller. Apparently they are NOT going to renew the stadium naming rights after the current deal ends after 2020. It will instead be "American Family Insurance" Park/Stadium.

 

Again - totally a rumor, and haven't seen anything substantiating it, but thought I'd throw it out there. It seems CRAZY so I'm not even putting too much belief in it.

[xisxisxis]

Apparently they are NOT going to renew the stadium naming rights after the current deal ends after 2020. It will instead be "American Family Insurance" Park/Stadium.

So the Brewers in the dead of night have been calling every company in Wisconsin to find out if they have interest in buying the naming rights? [sarcasm]Sounds like what a successful organization would do to get the best price for naming rights (two+ years before a new agreement needs to be in place)...[/sarcasm]