Ald. Bauman: Trump's Milwaukee stay to trigger gridlock at expense of taxpayers

President Donald Trump's overnight stay June 27 at Pfister Hotel will take place during one of the busiest nights of the year for downtown Milwaukee and the lakefront. So major traffic gridlock is expected, said Ald. Robert J. Bauman.

Trump's stay — in conjunction with a fundraiser June 28 at the Pfister and the Foxconn groundbreaking event later that day in Racine County — will require street closures, with entire blocks cordoned off to traffic around thehotel and significant parking restrictions, Bauman said in a news release.

The presidential visit is on the first day of Summerfest, with the "Big Bang" fireworks display. Thousands of spectators will be heading downtown and to the lakefront.

“This visit is purely political, allowing the president to attend a fundraiser and then take part in a PR event for the future Foxconn operation in Racine County,” said Bauman, who is the chair of the public works committee. “This visit will cost city taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in police and DPW overtime and operations and not one penny is reimbursed by the federal government.”

Bauman offered advice to anyone heading to Summerfest, downtown or to the Historic Third Ward: “Take public transit, ride a bicycle or walk, since movement by motor vehicle will be severely limited."