New drone video of Milwaukee Bucks arena: Building nearly finished, plaza work ramps up

Work outside the new Milwaukee Bucks arena is a loud, dusty hive of activity, with grading, pavement installation and construction of the entertainment block buildings moving along at a rapid pace.

It's reminiscent of the pace of construction of the building itself, which at this time last year was a lattice of structural steel.

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Juneau Ave. on the north side of the new arena has been cleared of construction equipment and workers are busy laying new curb and gutter.

All week, a stream of cement mixers made deliveries to the plaza area outside the main front entrance on the closed portion of N. 4th St.

And workers on the arena roof are applying finishing touches.

The interior of the $524 million building, supported by $250 million in public money, is nearly complete. The Bucks will take occupancy during the summer, and, following weeks of testing and settling in, plan to stage a grand opening in late summer.

The first announced event at the arena is a Sept 13 Kevin Hart comedy show. Other programs, concerts and events are expected to be held before that date.

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The NBA has yet to release its schedule for the 2018-'19 season, so opening day for the Bucks first game in the new arena is not known.