Expect Business, Road Closures Ahead of Thursday's Trump Rally
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Ahead of President Donald Trump's Thursday rally at Target Center, at least two businesses operating downtown have announced they will not operate for the day. Multiple streets and ramps near the venue will also close.
The Butler Quarter Postal Station, located just a block from the Target Center, will close at noon Thursday. The post office will reopen at 9 a.m. the following morning and resume normal business hours.
A press release from the United States Postal Services states customers can still purchase retail produces from its website, or at a nearby location at 18 12th Street N downtown.
The release also notes that USPS's operating costs are not funded by tax dollars but rather the sale of its products and services.
Nice Ride will also close bike stations and dockless bike hubs near Target Center Thursday starting Wednesday at noon. Service will resume Friday at noon.
⚠️System Alert ⚠️In advance of the 10/10 presidential campaign rally, we will be taking stations/hubs out of service and removing bikes within the closure zone due to security protocol starting at 12:00pm on 10/9. Learn more at https://t.co/lrxD2la8MI pic.twitter.com/LDuDkHEaso
— Nice Ride MN (@NiceRideMN) October 8, 2019
To help ease inconveniences for bike commuters, Nice Ride will offer a bike valet with guaranteed parking at the Hennepin County Government Center Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Shared scooters will also not be available near Target Center. Nice Ride and scooters will be up and running again Friday.
The City of Minneapolis also announced road closures downtown ahead of the rally. Starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday, the following roads will close for the next day's rally:
- Firth Avenue North from Sixth Street North to Eighth Street North
- Second Avenue North from Fifth Street North to 10th Street North
- Sixth Street North between First Avenue North and 2nd Avenue North
- Seventh Street North between Hennepin Avenue and 10th Street North
- Twins Way between Seventh Street North and 10th Street North
Also closing Wednesday at 8 p.m. are the I-394 exist ramp to Sixth Street North and I-394 high-occupancy vehicle entrance ramp at Third Avenue North and Fifth Street North.
A City of Minneapolis spokesperson said the roads will open back up as soon as possible after the event.
Metro Transit says several local and express bus routes will be detoured starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday due to the road closures around the event.
While on-street parking may be limited, the city's A, B and C parking ramps will be available until full.
Minnesota's GOP expects large crowds at the rally, with chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan stating last week that attendees should arrive as early as 9 or 10 a.m. for the 7 p.m. event. Doors open at 4 p.m.