A Nov. 6 article revealed the construction of a $150 to $200 million building at 401 W.,”Not to say that Marquette students are extensively deprived or anything, but more entertainment in the downtown area will make the life of a Marquette student more exciting.
The Tribune's Nov. 6 article, "More entertainment to move in near campus," revealed the construction of a $150 million to $200 million building at 401 W. Wisconsin Ave. that will include retail shops, Big City Bowl and restaurants among a hotel and luxury apartments. The city of Milwaukee is doing its citizens a wise favor by selling the land to the real estate company, Ghazi Company. Such an entertainment facility is just what this area of Wisconsin Avenue needs, and Marquette students will hopefully have better options for amusement at a conveniently close location.
Milwaukee is a great city with many fun activities to choose from, but when you're a student on a tight budget with no form of personal transportation, it begins to feel confining to be trapped on the Marquette campus, away from the city life. The new entertainment facility will hopefully add some enjoyable social options to Marquette students' lives, and the general west side of Milwaukee.
University of Milwaukee students are lucky. They are surrounded by the east side and all the area has to offer in shopping and dining options. They have unlimited food selections that fit a college student's budget with nearby places like Chipotle, Panera, Noodles, Coldstone and Alterra‐all venues that are not within walking distance of Marquette.
After the underclass meal plans become a thing of the past, MU juniors and seniors can only take so many variations of sub sandwiches before eating isn't fun anymore. How many times do students settle for Jimmy Johns, Cousins or Subway for the 10th day in a row, only because they have no time or vehicle to pursue other options?
The new entertainment venue also makes us hopeful for a better shopping selection. We don't have much time as students. In a pinch, Old Navy is the one of the only nearby shops for a college budget for clothing. Ironically, the store's motto is "Shopping is fun again," but at Grand Avenue Mall where the store is located, shopping really isn't. More retail stores will bring Marquette students an alternative to Grand Avenue, which offers lackluster options that are not preferable to college-aged students.
Milwaukee's cold winters discourage students from leaving any building unless absolutely necessary. However, an entertainment building will most likely persuade students to get out, as it will have many forms of fun activities under one roof. Here there will be alternative amusement options to drinking as well.
Bottom line—the new entertainment venue is a wonderful idea, and the sooner the project is completed, the better the options for Marquette students' leisure.
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