Police to use two locations outside downtown for staging during Democratic National Convention

The Milwaukee Police Department will lease, rent-free, a former school and a property owned by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District for "various security-related purposes" tied to the Democratic National Convention. 

Police will need extra space outside of the designated security footprint and will use the locations for staging the several thousand officers and their vehicles that will be coming to the city, Milwaukee Police Capt. Derrick Harris told the city's Public Safety and Health Committee Friday.

About 1,200 Milwaukee police officers, augmented by thousands from across the state and nation, will provide security for visitors and delegates during the DNC. The convention is coming to Milwaukee July 13 through July 16 and is expected to bring 50,000 people to the city.  

Police also need space for a task force to start creating its operational plan, Harris said.

The locations are far enough outside the security perimeter that they can get people in and out quickly, and both have large, enclosed parking areas to be used for personal and police vehicles.

The security zone announced last month stretches from Clybourn Street on the south to Cherry Street on the north and from Water Street on the east to 10th Street on the west. Officials have not yet detailed what areas of downtown will be behind barriers or fences.

The committee approved the leases Friday without discussion. The full Common Council next meets on March 3. 

On the city's near west side, the historic former Wisconsin Avenue School — the site of the proposed Ambassador Suites — at 2708 W. Wisconsin Ave. will be leased from June 1 through July 31.

The location is about 2 miles from the Fiserv Forum, the epicenter of the convention. 

To the south of downtown, the city will lease from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District a building at 2425 S. 35th St.

The lease term lasts from March 1 through Aug. 30. The city will be responsible for cost and fees associated with the property's utilities, which are estimated at $14,000 per month, the lease states. That's an estimated $84,000 during the six-month lease.

A federal grant is expected to pay the costs of the convention's security services, including those costs and fees.

Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or adirr@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.