The Taylor Swift effect is real, especially in Minneapolis.
"We've decided to do a small, tiny, delicate if you will, thing to celebrate. We are renaming Minneapolis, to "Swifteapolis" this Friday," proclaimed Mayor Frey.
Frey made the announcement Wednesday as city and downtown leaders previewed the weekend ahead. The press conference covered topics such as public safety, parking, road closures, and public transportation.
Frey said the city expects over 500,000 people to descend on downtown Minneapolis for the Swift shows and the Twin Cities Pride Festival.
"So we want everyone to know we're not just shaking it off," joked Frey. "We have a mutlijurisdictional, coordinated approach with a number of different cities, entities, departments within our city to make sure that people have an exceptional time here in Minneapolis. Let's be real. We do this well. Minneaoplis has a long history of doing large scale events, from the NCAA Final Four to the Super Bowl, we do large scale events and we do them well, and we are more than excited to welcome more than 500,000 people to our city."
The Office of Community Safety, led by Commissioner Cedric Alexander, is launching Operation Swift Summer headed into the weekend. With it comes an increased presence of first responders.
"Our 911 operators will be at full strength, fire and EMT's will be key, first responders if people have health situations that may come about," says Alexander.
Alexanders says there's a balancing act to increasing law enforcement presence when such large crowds are expected.
"People want to see the visibility of uniformed cars, patrols, etc. and they will see that," Alexander says. "But you won't see an overwhelming amount of it, where you'll feel 'wow, something is wrong here'. But you will feel a sense of safety. They will be there."
Meanwhile Metro Transit says it's prepared to transport the masses late into the night, all weekend long. Met Council chair Charlie Zelle said there was a plan all along to offer light rail and bus service, despite Metro Transit stating earlier in the month that there would be no service following each of the Taylor Swift shows.
"I think the miscommunication, or misunderstanding, is that our last formal schedule is at 11:30 (PM)," says Zelle. "But we are using our existing staff on an overtime basis, which is additional resources for them to stay later or come in and work on the weekends. We now have a greater confidence that we have an interest in our operators providing that service and we know we'll have not only extra train sets, but also reserve buses in case they're needed."
Those driving into downtown this weekend are encouraged to plan ahead due to road closures around U.S. Bank Stadium and closures related to Twin Cities Pride Festival activities, including the parade Sunday.
By the way, if you want to buy tickets to either of the sold out shows? It is going to cost you. Ticket King tells WCCO Radio that they haven't seen ticket prices this high in 35 years of business. Expect to pay well north of $1,000 just to get inside the building.
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