The Democratic National Convention is just three days away and the area around the United Center is starting to feel more fortified with fencing and barricades.
The United Center is now becoming a fortress of fencing.
Eight-foot-tall fences line the perimeter of the UC with concrete barriers now in place too.
North Wood Street near West Washington Boulevard is now blocked by salt trucks and gated off, locking out traffic.
LIVE BLOG: Chicago DNC street closures, preparations continue; protests planned for weekend
Road closures went into place Thursday night at 10 p.m. around the United Center.
The closures are for:
-West Washington Boulevard from Damen Avenue to South Wood Street
-Damen Avenue from Jackson Boulevard to West Washington Boulevard
-West Warren Boulevard from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
-West Madison Street from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
-West Monroe Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
-West Adams Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
-South Honore Street from West Monroe Street to West Adams Street
-South Wood Street from West Washington Boulevard to West Jackson Boulevard
-South Seeley Avenue from West Madison Street to West Adams Street
Road closures go into effect near McCormick Place Saturday at 7 p.m.
-Indiana Avenue from 18th to E. 24th Place
- Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th Street
-Cermak Road from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
-23rd Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
-Prairie Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
-24th Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
-Calumet Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
-24th Place from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
-MLK Drive from Cermak Rd. to 25th Street
- E 21st Street closed from, and inclusive of, S. Michigan Avenue to S. Calumet Avenue.
- E 21st St is open from west of S Michigan Avenue to inclusive of S Wabash Avenue and E 21st.
Fencing around McCormick Place can also be seen...as crews there prepare to shutdown those roads.
City officials say residents should also be prepared for some sidewalks to be closed during the convention.
If you are planning on going to the convention and hope to use a rideshare, a drop off and pick up point is located at Madison and Paulina at the United Center and on Wabash between 23rd and 24th Street near McCormick Place.
City officials are also warning residents to be prepared for other rolling road closures because of any protests and marches.
The arena inside the United Center is ready for primetime with Chicago about to be the center of attention for democratic politics.
Organizers unveiled the stage and podium in preparation for the convention.
A DNC volunteer appreciation rally was also held Thursday night at Wrigley Field, giving organizers an opportunity to rev up the thousands of people ready to make the DNC a reality.
LIVE BLOG: Chicago DNC street closures, preparations continue; protests planned for weekend
A chairperson for the DNC host committee says volunteers range in age from 16 to 102.
Volunteers shared why they wanted to lend a hand...and what they are going to be doing.
"I'm going to be at Chicago Midway greeting the VIPs coming in, greeting them off the airplanes," said volunteer Crystal Flynn. "I'm going to be very proud."
Some local businesses near the United Center are also making their own preparations ahead of the DNC, boarding up windows in the case of any unrest.
Chicago Board-Up Services says it's been quite busy getting businesses ready.
More than a dozen businesses are taking these extra precautions, mainly in the West Loop, downtown and around the Daley Center with more businesses likely to take similar measures.
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