CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- With the Secret Service’s long-awaited DNC security plan expected at any time, Mayor Anthony Foxx has called a Wednesday morning news conference “to address planned road closures for the Democratic National Convention.”
Joining Foxx for the meeting with reporters will be new Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Superintendent Heath Morrison and senior staff from all public agencies with major roles during the convention: Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, Charlotte Area Transit System and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
In addition to road closures, the group will talk about the schools’ uptown transportation needs, the temporary transit center on Mint Street and bus rerouting. It will also cover parade routes and speaker platforms for CarolinaFest – the uptown Labor Day celebration that will kick off convention week.
Is the abruptly-called news conference a sign that the Secret Service’s plan will also come out Wednesday?
Here’s all Foxx would tell the Observer on Tuesday: “I know people are anxious for details about preparations for the convention, but that’s all I can say.”
The Republican National Convention is Aug. 26-30 – a week earlier than the DNC – in Tampa. On July 24, the Secret Service released an 11-page security plan for the Tampa/St. Petersburg area – complete with a map – that detailed road closures as well as parking and pedestrian restrictions.
In that plan, on-street parking spaces will go away for the week, motorcades will frequently stop interstate traffic, and concrete barriers will block some sidewalks.
Both conventions have been designated as “National Special Security Events” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Tightening security even more, President Barack Obama will be in Charlotte on Sept. 6 to give his acceptance speech at Bank of American Stadium.
