MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Milwaukee Area Technical College advanced its long‑term vision for student‑athlete development Thursday afternoon, breaking ground on Fieldhouse Flats, a $110 million Deer District project that will provide the college with a modern shared‑use athletic facility.

The ceremony, held at the corner of N. Vel R. Phillips Avenue and Juneau Avenue, marked the official start of construction on the mixed‑use development led by Deer District, J. Jeffers & Co., Milwaukee Bucks, and MATC. When complete, Fieldhouse Flats will feature 269 workforce housing units, 40,000 square feet of commercial space, a 278‑stall parking structure, and a shared‑use athletic facility for MATC.

Average rent for the housing units is projected to be about $1,059 per month — roughly half the cost of comparable downtown apartments.

"What makes this project especially unique is the partnership with MATC, which brings education, athletics and community programming directly into the Deer District," said Michael Belot, Milwaukee Bucks Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Chief Real Estate Development Officer. "When you combine housing, education and activation in one place, you create a district that truly works for all every single day."

The MATC athletic facility will include a two‑court gymnasium, fitness and training spaces, locker rooms, meeting rooms, and other amenities designed to support the college's growing athletics programs and student‑life needs. The development is expected to strengthen MATC's presence in the heart of downtown Milwaukee and expand opportunities for student‑athletes, students, and community members. CLICK HERE for renderings of the project.

"Currently, MATC has 10 athletic teams and about 135 student‑athletes," MATC President Anthony Cruz said. "With this new facility, we have the capability to expand our athletic programs and grow the number of participating student‑athletes."

Local leaders emphasized the project's role in expanding workforce housing, supporting economic development, and continuing the Deer District's evolution into a year‑round destination.

"What makes this development especially meaningful is that it ties housing, education and community space all in one development," Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. "MATC is really anchoring a significant portion of the development and in return strengthening the connection between where people live and where people learn."
For MATC Athletics, the groundbreaking represents a transformational moment.

"Today marks a historic day for the continued growth of our athletic department and shows the support our institution has for moving athletics forward," MATC athletic director and men's basketball coach Randy Casey said. "Having a place to call home for our women's volleyball and men's and women's basketball programs — teams that have always been playing on the road — will bring a different dynamic and help us recruit student‑athletes."

Construction on Fieldhouse Flats will proceed in multiple phases, with the MATC athletic facility expected to be completed and ready for use by fall 2027. MATC will share additional updates as the project progresses.