NCAA crowds expected to make downtown parking difficult

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Downtown Milwaukee is the place to be starting Thursday, March 20th and through the weekend. The activity will center around the BMO Harris Bradley Center -- where NCAA Tournament games will be played. With thousands of visitors headed for Milwaukee, it is expected to be difficult to find parking.

"We manage roughly about fifteen lots throughout the area," Stefanie Kivi with Downtown Auto Parking said.

Kivi says they're expecting all those lots to fill up!

"I can almost guarantee it," Kivi said.

Since Thursday is a work day, parking spaces will be filled with regular parkers, as well as those seeking space for the games.

"We will still accommodate our normal monthly parkers, but we do have other aerial lots that will be designated for the guest traffic," Kivi said.

Kivi says they're going to have extra staff on hand to help with the demand, and to point customers to lots with open spots.

You can bet there will be a race for space in many of the lots near the Bradley Center. If you're planning to attend the Tourney, you might want to think about hopping aboard a free shuttle -- like the one Saz's State House restaurant is offering.

"It is completely free. Come and have a drink, lunch with us and we'll take you down there," Saz's General Manager Casey Schneck said.

Not going to the NCAA Tournament until this weekend? Even though you won't have to deal with regular weekday parkers, Kivi says you should still expect a crowd.

"All of our lots though won't be filled with monthly parkers, so we'll have more available room in different locations for the guests," Kivi said.