James B. Nelson

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Johnson Controls will be the new "smart building" partner for the new Milwaukee Bucks arena, company and team executives announced Thursday.

"Together, the Bucks and Johnson Controls are building a smart, sustainable and efficient world-class arena while joining together in a commitment to develop a healthier and more vibrant Milwaukee community for future generations," the Bucks said in a prepared statement.

The arrangement goes beyond the work that the Milwaukee-based building controls company is performing on the Bucks $524 million project, Bucks president Peter Feigin said in an interview. It's a long-term relationship that includes marketing benefits such as signage, and a commitment by Johnson Controls to work with the Bucks on community outreach efforts.

Johnson Controls became the first "Founding Partner" for the Bucks' project. A total of six to eight such partners are expected, Feigin said.

"This is the culmination of everything," he said of the relationship between the Bucks and Johnson Controls. "It goes to our foundation of localism."

Still to be revealed is the company that will have the naming rights for the new arena.

Feigin said Johnson Controls' work will affect all aspects of the fan experience at the new arena, including Wi-Fi service, concession and merchandise sales, lighting and the heating and ventilation.

He said the company "sets the gold standard in this space throughout the world."

It's crucial that the new facility meets the demanding expectations of tech-savvy fans who are accustomed to watching games at home on "two screens" such as a television and a phone, Feigin said.

“Our ownership group is committed to building an arena that will be the gold standard for a sports and entertainment facility while also driving additional development and community growth throughout the region," he said. "Together we’re going to build an incredible arena and an incredible future for our home city.”

Johnson Controls sees the partnership as an opportunity to demonstrate that the company is a "good neighbor," and it has a desire to help build Milwaukee into a world-class city, CEO Alex Molinaroli said.

"The Bucks arena is a great opportunity to show that," he said. "You're really going to be proud of the facility."

Johnson Controls declined to make Molinaroli available for an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The arena is rapidly taking shape just north of the Bucks' current home, the BMO Harris Bradley Center, along with a parking garage and practice facility. Public financing is covering $250 million of the cost of the arena, which is scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2018-'19 NBA season.

Johnson Controls will work with the Bucks, construction manager Mortenson Construction, ICON Venue Group and subcontractors to furnish, install and integrate state-of-the-art smart building solutions throughout the facility, the Bucks statement said.

The building systems "will be managed on a unified, intelligent infrastructure including HVAC, building automation, security, lighting, fire protection and information technology," the Bucks said. "By simplifying and optimizing how the building functions, Johnson Controls will enable more control for the Bucks to operate the arena at the same time delivering a superior fan experience."

RELATED: Oshkosh christens Milwaukee Bucks arena