WisDOT announces indefinite closure of 2 Milwaukee park and ride lots over safety concerns

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two park and ride lots in Milwaukee County will shut down because of safety concerns.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced the lot at I-94 and Holt Avenue will shut down starting Monday, Oct. 21. The lot at I-94 and College Avenue will shut down shortly after.

It's hard to miss the tents and trailers after exiting I-94 on Holt Ave.

“There are people here that look out for each other," said Mari.

Mari has lived at the park and ride for quite some time and asked CBS 58 to not share her face or last name. Mari says the situation is not ideal, but it's been home.

“That’s weird to me because I’ve always looked at camping as something enjoyable. This is not enjoyable. No one’s having fun out here," said Mari.

Now, she's not sure how long she can stay.

"I asked to see it and read it, and it was very upsetting," said Mari.

Letters were placed on all vehicles at the Holt Avenue park and ride and the College Avenue park and ride, informing residents of their indefinite closure. WisDOT says law enforcement officers have responded to 275 calls of dangerous activity in these lots from July to September this year. That's a 40% increase since last year in the same time period.

“I’ve been threatened with my life. We have that a lot of times, the sirens," said James, who lives at the College Avenue park and ride. He only shared his first name with CBS 58.

James says he wants to leave but isn't getting connected with county resources efficiently. Ric, who lives at the same park and ride, agrees.

“I call 211, they sent me to community advocates. Community advocates tell me to call 211. So, you keep going in circles, bouncing from one agency to another," said Ric. "Where are we supposed to go? How do you get kicked off the street? Where do you go from there?”

Tahira Malik, with Samad's House, is just one community group at the park and rides hoping to bridge that gap. She brings food, snacks, and Narcan every Monday.

“We’re here to just to meet people exactly where they are in life right now," said Malik.

WisDOT did not say it would be removing people who live at the park and ride. Residents say they understand the decision to shut down the lots -- they just want to find a safe place to live.

“I’m not against the closing, but we need the resources acclimated the right way, that’s all," said James.