Over two years ago, Columbus attempted to land the 2008 Republican National Convention in our city, but ended up falling just short of the required number of full-service hotel rooms located within easy access of the downtown area. When discussed two years ago on Columbus Underground, there were some jeers from the democrats in the crowd, but you can’t ignore the amount of money and global recognition this brings into a city. If we can manage to get that new Convention Center Hotel built that’s been on the table for several years now by 2012, then perhaps we can host the next RNC or DNC. But for now, all we can do is look to the north-west and see the sorts of news that is already starting to come out of Minneapolis two months ahead of the RNC:
St. Paul venues filling up ahead of Republican National Convention
by Betsy Sundquist
July 25, 2008Jon Stewart is taking over the History Theater, and CNN’s occupying the Eagle Street Grille. Those are just two of the many spots filling up fast in St. Paul – and around the Twin Cities – as the Sept. 1-4 Republican National Convention approaches.
Most popular, of course, are those in downtown St. Paul, near the Xcel Energy Center, site of the quadrennial GOP gathering. It’s a massive undertaking all around, as seen by how the Xcel essentially shut down last week as workers began transforming the hockey and music venue into a wired convention site.
In all, 46 sites around the Twin Cities have been designated as “official” venues for the RNC.
Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have approved extended hours for liquor sales in conjunction with the RNC; a $2,500 permit will allow approved establishments to serve liquor until 4 a.m. each day of the convention.
The RNC is expected to attract 45,000 visitors to Minneapolis-St. Paul, one-third of them members of the media.