Streets blocked, metal fencing going up around Pfister Hotel ahead of RNC

Significant metal fencing went up around the Pfister Hotel and its parking garage on Saturday, along with a large white tent outside the hotel similar to the one erected when President Joe Biden stayed at the hotel in March.

The Pfister is not within the hard security perimeter of the convention but the fencing is similar as what's around Fiserv Forum, the Baird Center and UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. That would seem to indicate high ranking party officials, former President Donald Trump or members of Trump's family plan to stay at the hotel for all or part of the Republican National Convention starting on Monday.

Hotel officials did not comment on the increased security.

On Saturday afternoon, East Wisconsin Avenue and East Mason Street appeared to be closed between North Milwaukee and North Jefferson streets. Jefferson also appeared to be closed off at East Michigan Street.

In June it was reported that Trump would be staying at his hotel in Chicago, but after being questioned by reporters on where he was staying, he said he was staying in Milwaukee.

The Pfister has been a popular choice among politicans and celebrities though the years. Other presidents who visited the Pfister include William McKinley, John F. Kennedy, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

This story will be updated if more information becomes available.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Streets blocked, metal fencing up around Pfister Hotel ahead of RNC