NEWS

These streets will close in Des Moines ahead of President Trump's rally

Austin Cannon Katie Akin
Des Moines Register
Protestors gather outside the Knapp Center before the CNN/Des Moines Register Democratic Presidential Debate at Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, in Des Moines.

Roads surrounding Drake University's Knapp Center are closed ahead of President Donald Trump's rally at the arena Thursday. 

Des Moines officials said Forest Avenue will be closed between 25th and 27th streets from 8 a.m. Wednesday to 11 p.m. Thursday. 

On Thursday, the city will close the following streets from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Forest Avenue from 24th to 25th streets; 27th to 30th streets
  • 25th Street between Carpenter Avenue and Clark Street
  • Clark Street between 24th and 27th streets
  • 27th Street between Forest Avenue and College Avenue 

Parking will be restricted on Clark Street near the Knapp Center on Thursday and vehicles left there will be subject to tow, Drake Communications Director Jarad Bernstein said. 

Des Moines police spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek said it's "safe to say" traffic in the capital city will be affected by the arrival and departure of Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence. 

Police will release more information Wednesday, he said.

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The rally is set to begin at 7 p.m. The Knapp Center doors will open at 3 p.m. 

Drake's spring semester began Monday, so campus will be full of students. That means parking will be at a premium, Bernstein said.

"The biggest advice that we can provide is to take public transportation, a ride-share, or at the very least carpool," he said. "We're encouraging our own people to do the same ...  but regardless, we know that parking is going to be hard to come by."

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Austin Cannon covers the city of Des Moines for the Register. Reach him at awcannon@registermedia.com or 515-284-8398. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal.