As the Bradley Center begins its quest for new found funding and Potawatomi Bingo Casino awaits its go-ahead for expansion, several downtown leaders came together today to announce the creation of a task force that will study the best needs, wants and desires of downtown Milwaukee's quickly growing entertainment scene.

Without representation from the casino present at the podium, the group announced their support for a study of the relocation of Potawatomi Bingo Casino to downtown Milwaukee. No specific site was recommended, although both County Executive Scott Walker and Mayor Marvin Pratt mentioned the vacant Park East area. Both also cited the "missed opportunity" of not building Miller Park downtown. The Milwaukee Brewers were not represented at Thursday's news conference for comment, either.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, Mayor Marvin Pratt, Milwaukee Downtown executive director Beth Nicols, and leaders from the East Town Association, Westown Association, Historic Third Ward Association, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau and the African American Chamber of Commerce will create the task force by April 1, 2004, complete its study by May 15, 2004, and will have it available for public comment by mid-June.

"Our recommendation is simply that this idea be studied. Our relationship with the tribe is valued," said Pratt.

County Executive Walker said he agreed. "We're excited about downtown. Miller Park was a missed opportunity in the early 1990s. We don't want another missed opportunity."

The group did not mention potential costs associated with project.

Besides pushing for casino relocation, this new City-County task force will explore ways to solidify Milwaukee's entertainment districts with the goal of creating a convenient, integrated and mutually beneficial relationship between the downtown entertainment venues and hospitality businesses. If the casino is relocated to a downtown location, the group has already been informed that the Midwest Airlines Center would expand by 150,000 square feet, with 90,000 square feet for an expanded exhibition hall and an additional 60,00 square feet for meeting rooms. A new 400-room hotel also is expected to be built adjacent to the casino, regardless of its location.

Officials noted as gaming is expanded in Milwaukee, it makes sense to harness the potential for a greater boost of tourism, commerce and attractiveness.

A new study by Evans, Carroll and Associates concluded that moving the casino downtown would provide an additional 5,499 jobs and result in increased income for the city and county.

Other major downtown developments that should be looked at by the group include, but are not limited to: Milwaukee Public Market, a potential new Bradley Center, Pabst City, developments in the Park East, the new Kern Center at MSOE, Pier Wisconsin, the Shops of Grand Avenue and others.

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