BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — The City of Battle Creek announced details about President Trump and Vice President Pence's upcoming visit on Wednesday, Dec. 18. They will hold a "Merry Christmas" rally at the Kellogg Arena starting at 7 p.m.
City officials said in a press release that they "anticipate a larger crowd than the arena's capacity." So there will be a designated overflow area outside at the Festival Market Square.
The president and vice president's visit Wednesday will cause road and business closures around the city for the day, public transit detours, and may also cause an overflow of people coming to the area, which the city is preparing for through designated parking areas.
Road closures, Dec. 18
- Starting by 8 a.m., Hamblin Avenue will be closed from Capital Avenue SW to McCamly Street.
- Starting by 8 a.m., McCamly Street will be closed from Hamblin to Jackson Street.
- As the crowd increases at the arena and Festival Market Square, Jackson Street will close, then Michigan Avenue, moving north.
- Helmer Road
- Dickman Road
- Washington Avenue
- Interstate-94
- M-66
- Capital Avenue SW will experience short, intermittent closures, but mostly will remain open
Parking
- There is no parking in the following downtown areas, starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17:
- Full Blast (35 Hamblin Ave.), both sides of the building
- Wave Square, at McCamly and Jackson streets
- Riverwalk Centre parking ramp
- Hamblin Avenue parking ramp
- The city says Wednesday will be a busy day, with many visitors to downtown. They ask to watch for parking signage and staffing at lots around the downtown.
- Private parking lots may ask for payment
- Anyone who parks in a restricted area, or otherwise parks illegally, may be towed
- The city recommends the following two parking routes to get into the downtown area:
- Dickman Road, to Washington Avenue to Van Buren Street
- M-66 to Van Buren Street
- Parking for only rally attendees who have a handicapped placard or license plate:
- The Kmart site, at the corner of Capital Avenue SW and Dickman Road.
- Entry will be via Capital Avenue; watch for signs and staff.
- This lot will be closed off starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, to prepare for Wednesday’s use.
- Battle Creek Transit will provide shuttle service for these attendees from the parking lot to Kellogg Arena starting at about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, and will provide return shuttle service back to the parking lot.
►Check out this interactive parking map in Battle Creek.
Public transit
- Battle Creek Transit bus and Tele-Transit services will provide typical, weekday services Wednesday, according to the city. But they anticipate delays, especially in the afternoon.
- Weekday bus service runs from 5:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., and Tele-Transit service runs from 5:15 a.m. to midnight.
- Due to the event, the following Battle Creek Transit routes must detour on Wednesday:
- 1W - West Michigan
- 2E - Emmett/East Avenue
- 3E - Main/Post
- 3W- Kendall/Goodale
- 4N - Capital Avenue NE.
- These stops cannot be serviced during the detours:
- Capital N.E. - near Kellogg Foundation (4N)
- Capital N.E. - across from playground (3E)
- Capital N.E. and Van Buren - near Willard Library (4N)
- Hamblin at Carlyle (1W)(3W)
- Hamblin near Kellogg Institute (3E)
- Hamblin and Monroe (WKKI Parking Lot) (4N)
- McCamily at W. Michigan (2E)(3W)
- McCamily near Clara's on the River (2E)
- Michigan and Capital - Kellogg Foundation (3E)
- Michigan and Division - First United Methodist Church (3E)
Business closures
- Full Blast will be closed Wednesday
Even city members who don't attend the event will still be affected by the president's visit. Trash and recycling pick-up on Wednesday will be moved up an hour so waste management crews can finish earlier in case they want to attend the event.
Recycling and trash bins need to be on the curb by 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
To stay up-to-date on road closures and traffic updates leading up to the event, visit the city's transit website.
For information about how to get vendor licenses and special events permits, visit the city's website.
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