RNC perimeter coming down; Visit Milwaukee discusses economic impact

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- One day after the Republican National Convention, tear-down operations are in full force across Milwaukee, as crews work to transform the city back to what it was one week ago.

Throughout Deer District and downtown, crews are disassembling the black security fencing, barricades, and tents.

Several Milwaukee streets that were closed this week for the RNC are back open, boats are back on the river, and some locals are relieved.

"It feels good to come back down here and park and walk around and not be restricted on where I can go and what I can do," said resident Angela Yancey.

Milwaukee Department of Public Works said they began tear-down operations with the Secret Service at 12:01 Friday morning.

Some parking restrictions have lifted, the Secret Service says some may be in place through Sunday, July 21.

"It should be nice to have that cleared out of the way and to get back to normal," said resident Andy Lavigne.

Claire Koenig from Visit Milwaukee said they predicted the RNC could bring around $200 million to the city, but it will take about three months to calculate the economic impact.

"We have to pull hotel data, airport data, any kind of other spending data we can get our hands on, we have to pull those things together, working with the host committee, get that data to a third-party company that will do the report," Koenig explained.

Some business owners told CBS 58 they had a slow week, while others were packed.

Koenig acknowledges each convention is a learning experience.

"There's no convention that will fill every single business in the city," she said.

So far, Visit Milwaukee has been hearing the RNC was a success, and Koenig said it proves that Milwaukee can handle big events.

"We know that we can do that, we just saw that we can do it on the largest convention we've ever hosted, which means we can do it again," she explained.

The fun isn't over in Milwaukee: Northwestern Mutual has their annual convention his weekend, bringing thousands of people to the city.

Next weekend is the Milwaukee Air and Water Show, German Fest at the Summerfest Grounds, and Harley Davidson Homecoming Festival.