Details announced on President Barack Obama’s Library Mall event: If you plan to attend
Update (5:30 p.m., Sept. 28): Library Mall site is now completely full, closed to entry. Use Bascom Hill or Union Terrace overflow sites. Audio will be available at both sites.
If you plan to attend:
All those planning to attend President Barack Obama’s Democratic National Committee political rally on the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Tuesday, Sept. 28 should keep in mind several important logistical details.
Please note, all details are subject to change ahead of the event.
Entry: The event will be held on Library Mall on campus. The event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required. The entry gate, located at Park Street at the base of Bascom Hill, will open at 3:30 p.m. All who enter will undergo screening by metal detector. The program is expected to begin at 4:45 p.m., and will last several hours.
For safety and security reasons, Bascom Hill will be opened as a site for overflow spectators who can not fit into the event area. To accommodate spectators, there will be amplification of the event and music up Bascom Hill, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Carry-in policy: For safety and security reasons, certain items are prohibited, including laptop computers, sharp objects, metal or plastic drink bottles, folding chairs, backpacks and bags or purses larger than a standard sheet of paper. No posters or signs of any size will be permitted inside. No food or drink can be carried in, though refreshments will be available from the Wisconsin Union and Subway for purchase in the event area. Cameras, binoculars and video cameras will be permitted inside. For those bringing children, be advised that plastic baby bottles will be allowed, but strollers and outside chairs are prohibited. There will be a “drop box” for prohibited items to be left outside of the security area. (UW-Madison does not take responsibility for left items.)
Parking: Daytime parking is extremely limited around Library Mall and attendees from the campus and Madison community are encouraged to walk or use public transportation. A limited number of spaces are available in the City’s Lake Street Parking Ramp. UW Lots 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 will be closed beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28.
Bike parking: A temporary bicycle parking area will be created in Lot 5 (north of Chadbourne Hall) on Tuesday starting at 8 a.m. There will be approximately 100 bicycle parking spaces made available with racks to help accommodate the loss of parking around the site.
Visitor parking: Visitor parking will be sold on a space available basis in Lots 7, 29, 44, 46, 51, 83, and 88. Accessible parking will be available in all parking lots; however, Lot 3 will be reserved exclusively for this use.
Traffic: Downtown traffic will be affected by street closings beginning at noon on September 28. Langdon Street will be closed between Park Street and Lake Street, and Lake will be closed north of the Lake Street Parking Ramp. Park will be closed from Lake Mendota to University Avenue. Observatory Drive remains closed due to construction. All those travelling in the campus area should be prepared for delays.
Madison Metro: Routes 80, 81, 82 and 85 will be affected. Buses will be detoured from Langdon St. and Memorial Union to University Ave. Buses travelling north on Lake St. will turn west (left) on University Ave. and then continue on University to resume their current routes on Charter Street and beyond.
Metro will be adding additional buses to enhance service after the event on Routes 2, 3, 4, and 6.
Transportation Services updates: If you are attending an unrelated event on campus, check the sponsoring department’s website for additional information on possible cancellations, changes to parking or other details.
Whenever possible, persons coming to campus on the day of the visit, whether attending the event or not, are encouraged to take alternatives to driving.
Be advised that pedestrian and bicycle routes may be detoured around the site. Where possible, detours will be marked with signs. Pedestrians use extra caution while navigating the vehicle congestion on campus.
Accessibility: Individuals with mobility disabilities can park in Lot 3 until 4 p.m. and enter Library Mall via North Lake Street and Langdon until 4:15 p.m. A maximum of one accompanying guest may enter through this entrance, which is limited to individuals with mobility disabilities. After 4:15 p.m., all attendees will enter via the main entry gate on Park Street. Additional ADA parking is available in Grainger Hall, the Fluno Center, Lot 46 and City of Madison Lake Street ramp. Sign language interpreters will be present inside the event area on a platform near Langdon. There will be reserved space near the stage adjacent to Langdon Street for wheelchair users and individuals needing sign language interpretation.