NYT: New York City Lowering Its Sights for a Convention Boom

[Maddy McCall]

City officials have promoted the Republican National Convention as a $265 million wave on the becalmed sea of New York City's summer economy, but now that the convention is two weeks away, signs point to a modest economic boost for a handful of businesses rather than a tide that lifts all boats.

Rooms at some of the city's hottest hotels and tables at some of its most exclusive restaurants are still available, and seats are still there for the taking at hit Broadway shows like "Hairspray" and "Movin' Out." The producer of "I Am My Own Wife," a Pulitzer- and Tony-winning critical hit about a German transvestite, is closing for a week during the convention rather than face many empty seats. Other shows are closing for good.

With the prospect of large political protests, extra security and skittish residents planning to leave town, many businesses, far from banking on a boom, are simply hoping that the four-day convention, which starts Aug. 30, will not make what is always a tough week worse.

snip/

City officials have said all along that the convention will help the economy and cause little disruption. They point out that the nearly 50,000 expected visitors is a drop in the bucket compared with the 3 million who come to the city every month, and that they never would have filled all 70,000 hotel rooms, or occupied every Broadway seat and restaurant table. In fact, a lack of disruption has been one of city officials' selling points; they have insisted that anyone who does not go to Midtown will not even notice the political bash.

more: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/17/nyregion/17convention.html?hp

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Waste of money and time

What is the purpose of this convention?

[monchie]

2. Would Republicans even want to see "Hairspray"?

After all, it celebrates racial integration and interracial romance, and one of the female leads is played by a man. Sounds like liberal propaganda to me :-)

[thebigidea]

7. I'm sure John Waters is a Republican icon.

[sleipnir]

3. Three B'way shows are closing due to the convention

"Caroline or Change," "Frozen," and "Little Shop of Horrors" have all announced closings due to security concerns and the ability of patrons and actors/technicians to even be able to get to the theatre on time. These theaters are only a mere 6-9 blocks from MSG, which is under total lockdown. Also, the productions anticipate significantly lower than average ticket sales for that period, so they're going to cut their losses and just close.

[Kinkistyle]

4. Sex pros get ready for party

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/story/206962p-178564c.html

With thousands of Republicans set to invade the city this summer, high-priced escorts and strippers are preparing for one grand old party.
Agencies are flying in extra call girls from around the globe to meet the expected demand during the Aug. 30-Sept. 2 gathering at Madison Square Garden.

"We have girls from London, Seattle, California, all coming in for that week," said a madam at a Manhattan escort service. "It's the week everyone wants to work."

"It's going to be big," agreed one operator at a midtown escort service.

[Dover]

5. I think a more effective statement than protests would be total desertion

of New Yorkers from the area...close their businesses and take a holiday. Give the Pubbies a big dose of the isolation they so seem to crave and have already received throughout the world.

All the cabbies, the newstands, the delis, the hotel staff, etc. should leave or work other parts of town and just let them do their own heavy lifting. Close the museums and theatres so they won't be tempted to view the arts which they consider so unworthy of NEA funding. And definitely NO SINFUL SEX, and of course no contraceptives ...that might also lead to the necessity of abortions or even worse....AIDS! And absolutely no sales of illegal drugs, or alcohol.

[Tracer]

6. The Convention "Boom" in Boston was a "Bust".

With the city virtually deserted during the week of the Democratic Convention, many business owners complained of LOSS of business Ñ not an increase.

[THUNDER HANDS]

8. they really should move these conventions away from big cities

I'm suprised they weren't held in swing states.


Why couldn't the Dems use the Gund Arena in Cleveland for their convention?

Why couldn't the GOP use The Target Center in Minnesota?