In the extended entry you'll find interesting facts and Convention logistics that I've compiled. These will be updated as more information is culled/copied from various sources.
The economic and gastronomic facts will probably come after the convention is over, and I'll post these then.
So as New Yorkers leave, the Republicans and Media move in.
50,000 Expected Visitors
• 15,000 visitors
• 15,000 media
• 15,000 misc. (VIP’s and support personnel)
• 5,000 Delegates
Events Scheduled
• Sat. 8/28/04- Time Warner/ AOL media party at AOL building by Columbus Circle during evening
• Sat.8/28/04- Latin Music Festival is scheduled. The location is unconfirmed. Possible locations are Bryant Park and the South Street Seaport.
• Sun. 8/29/04- United For Peace and Justice demonstration. 250,000+ demonstrators expected. The location and time is still being negotiated.
• Sun. 8/29/04- 8 Broadway shows have been secured for attending delegates. Shows that will be attended are 42nd Street, Aida, Bombay Dreams, Lion King, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and Wonderful Town.
Convention Dates and Times
• Mon. 8/30/04- 1000HRS-1330HRS and 2000HRS-2300HRS
• Tues. 8/31/04- 2000HRS-2300HRS
• Wed. 9/01/04- 2000HRS-2300HRS
• Thurs.9/02/04- 2000HRS-2300HRS
Transportation and Access
• Seventh Avenue will be closed to vehicles from W42th St. to W29th St. when the convention is in session
• Eighth Avenue will be closed to vehicles from W34th St. to 23rd St when the convention is in session
• W31st St. to W33rd St. from 6th Ave to 9th Ave. will be closed to vehicular traffic
• W32nd St. from 7th Ave. to 6th Ave. there is a pedestrian tube.
• Public access to Penn Station will be through the Seventh Ave. entrance at 32nd St. between Seventh Ave. and Eighth Ave.
• 34th St. and Seventh Ave. entrance is open
• 31st St. and Eighth Ave. is a designated protest area. Eighth Ave. street closures will progress further south if the number of demontrators increases.
• There is no plan to affect the Lincoln Tunnel, LIRR, Metro-North, or NYC subway
Security Measures
• 10,000 police officers will be on duty each day from 8/28/04 to 9/02/04
• 300 officers on scooters
• 300 officers on bike
• 1-8 van will be on standby for any unscheduled protests
• 9 perimeter check points around the frozen zone near Madison Square Garden
• Level III ballistic control booths, double sally port configurations, and vehicle inspections at these check points.
• 20 nautical mile restrictive fly zone
• USAF combat patrols
• Heliports closed from 0700 on 9/02/04 until 0700 on 9/03/04
LIRR/2 Penn Plaza Info
• One credential is being created for all the companies in 2 Penn by their property management
• The credential will permit the employees to exit Penn Station and proceed to 2 Penn directly without having to use the pedestrian tube that lets out on 6th Ave.
• Without this credential you will not be permitted into the area
Miscellaneous Information
• Delegates will be staying at 43 hotels in NYC (22,000 rooms)
• Buses will be transporting them between the hotels and the convention. This is considered a likely target by demonstrators and anarchists.
• 45 media trailers will be on 33rd St. between 7th and 8th Ave.
I really hope everything goes smoothly. I'm very nervous about the event and I wish there was a way to call it off... just have Bush e-mail in his nomination acceptance or something.
Posted by: Harvey at August 24, 2004 12:16 PMlet the games begin!
Posted by: domestic at August 31, 2004 01:00 PM