Street Closures Scheduled In Wake Of Thursday’s Trump Visit

Lots of detours coming your way Thursday, as GR prepares to host the POTUS.

It doesn't matter how you feel politically about the President, a Presidential visit always pays a toll because of street and parking lot closures for security reasons.

The City of Grand Rapids has announced street and parking lot closures for Thursday as part of a large event at Van Andel Arena. The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

The immediate streets around Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St. W., will be closed starting at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The street closures are expected to last until about 8:30 p.m. They are:

Fulton Street West from Ottawa to Ionia
Weston Street SW, west of Ionia
Oakes Street SW from Ottawa to Ionia
Ottawa Avenue SW from Fulton to Oakes

The Area 2 lot on Oakes Street SW and Area 3 lot on Ionia Avenue SW will be closed to all users starting at midnight Wednesday through midnight Thursday. All access cardholders for these lots will have access to the Louis Campau ramp on Monroe Avenue NW and McConnell Ionia lot on McConnell Street SW during that time.

Metered parking will not be allowed in the following areas:

Ottawa Avenue NW between Oakes and Fulton
Oakes Street SW between Grandville and Market
Weston Street SW between Ottawa and Grandville
Weston Street SW west of Ionia
Lot at Fulton Street SW and Ionia

The event is expected to draw between 10,000 and 12,000 attendees. With road closures and additional motorists and pedestrians, downtown travelers can expect heavy traffic and possible delays.

Personnel from the Grand Rapids and Wyoming police departments, Kent County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan State Police will be on hand to direct traffic and help ensure the public’s safety.