Everything you need to know before the RNC kicks off in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the Republican National Convention starting Sunday, preparations were already underway this past week in uptown Charlotte.

Although the convention is not what party leaders initially planned just a few months ago, the eyes of the world still will be focused on Charlotte when the convention kicks off.

>> At 6 p.m. on Channel 9, reporter Joe Bruno is breaking down what to expect as the RNC starts on Monday.

Some delegates arrived in Charlotte on Thursday, with most arriving Friday. In total, more than 300 will be in town to nominate President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

Some RNC business began Friday while the official meetings and convention started Sunday. Trump will accept the nomination on Monday.

Vice President Mike Pence said that the Republican Party convention “will make sure the American people see the choice” between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. Previewing themes for the Republican gathering, Pence told several morning talk shows Friday that viewers of next week’s RNC will hear about how the GOP will support law and order, and the men and women of law enforcement.

Democrats wrapped their four-day convention Thursday night after nominating Biden for president and California Sen. Kamala Harris for vice president. Pence called the DNC’s virtual convention “negative” and said he couldn’t watch much of it.

A great deal of advanced planning went into securing the areas around the convention center. All of the action will be taking place at the Westin in uptown with the exception of the renomination, which will happen across the street at the Charlotte Convention Center.

The Charlotte portion will start with the presidential nomination, seconding speeches and an in-person roll call among the 336 delegates in North Carolina, according to sources.

The general public will not be allowed access to any of the events at the convention.

Local residents should expect disruptions to commuting into uptown next week. There will be road closures, parking restrictions and part of the Blue Line will be closed.

Road closures, traffic impact during RNC

Trump campaign announces RNC speakers ahead of president’s visit to Charlotte for RNC

The Trump campaign announced Sunday the list of speakers for the Republican National Convention.

Speakers include Madison Cawthorn, North Carolina’s 11th district Republican nominee, and Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse.

Click here for the full list of speakers for the RNC.

According to White House spokesperson Peter Hoffman, Air Force One will arrive in Charlotte just before noon on Monday as the Republican National Convention kicks off its week-long festivities.

There are plans for President Donald Trump to join delegates in Charlotte Monday but those plans have not been finalized, according to sources.

According to Hoffman, Trump will visit Mills River in Henderson County to visit a Farmers to Families Food Box program site and deliver remarks on the administration’s support for American farmers and families through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

Click here for more information on Trump’s visit to North Carolina.

With RNC in Charlotte, Trump plans to visit Asheville area on Monday

Road closures, security restrictions released for RNC in uptown

All road closures will be in effect at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, and lifted no later than 6 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Commuters and residents can anticipate travel impacts beginning at 6 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 23. Closures will be conducted by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Charlotte Department of Transportation. The implementation of closures will be staggered based on the progress of the work teams in placing equipment. Limited authorized vehicles include Law Enforcement & Public Safety vehicles.

• Southbound I-277 exit ramp onto S. College Street
• College Street between W. Morehead Street and E. Hill Street
• College Street between the Westin Hotel and 3rd Street
• Brevard Street between E. Stonewall Street and 3rd Street
• Stonewall Street between the Harvey Gant Building and S. Caldwell Street
• Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. from the middle of the block of MLK Blvd. (between S. Tryon Street & S. College Street) and S. Caldwell Street
• All alleyways and internal roadways within the above-defined area

CHECKPOINTS

There will be three security checkpoints for people going in and out of the area. All local traffic will be screened and searched.

Local traffic includes delegates, RNC staff and guests, residents, employees, business patrons, food delivery services, ride shares, taxis, Uber, Lyft, and repair services.

• South Tryon Street at West Morehead Street (near blue area on map)
• South Caldwell Street at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Parking Garage (near yellow area on map)
• South Caldwell Street at South Boulevard (near green area on map)
• All alleyways and internal roadways within the above-defined area

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Lynx Light Rail: Lynx service will be modified beginning at 5:15 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, until 5:15 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25. Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will be closing all tracks on the Blue Line between the Carson station and 7th Street station. The Carson and & 7th Street stations will remain open, with only the MLK/Convention Center and Trade Street stations closed. All other stations remain open. A bus bridge will be provided for through riders between the Carson Street and 7th Street stations.

Buses: No bus service will be allowed inside the secure perimeter. Click here for additional route changes.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS

Wed. 8/19 starting at 6 a.m.-Tues. 8/25 7 a.m.

• Brevard St. between MLK & & 3rd St.
• 3rd St between Brevard & Caldwell St.

Thurs. 8/20 starting 7 a.m.-Tues. 8/25 7 a.m.

• MLK between McDowell St. & Brevard St.

Friday 8/21 starting at 6 p.m.-Tues. 8/25 7 a.m.

• Davidson St. between MLK & 3rd St.
• 3rd St. between Church St. & Brevard St.
• College St. between Morehead St. & 3rd St.
• Tryon between Morehead St. & 3rd St.
• Stonewall St. between Church St. & Caldwell St.

Extra security measures in place as Queen City prepares for RNC

Security preparations for the RNC became more evident Friday. There were new signs, barriers and a wall around the convention center in uptown.

Channel 9 has heard from a group that plans to protest against the convention.

Local organizations are expected to gather in Marshall Park Monday. It is possible, however, that other groups could fill downtown streets.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released the following statement regarding demonstrations during the RNC:

“Political conventions traditionally involve anticipated demonstrations. The role of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is to facilitate the constitutional rights of the public to express themselves lawfully.”

The police said they couldn’t go into great detail about the security measures taken.

Extra security measures in place as Queen City preps for RNC

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