Mayor Bob Buckhorn Talks RNC in South Tampa

South Tampa residents met with Mayor Bob Buckhorn on Thursday night to discuss the city's plan for the upcoming Republican National Convention at the Kate Jackson Community Center.

Outlining the security, solid waste, traffic and parking precautions that are taking place, the night educated residents on how the city plans to proceed and provided an opportunity to ask questions to key figures. Buckhorn emphasized the importance of hosting such a grand event, something that Tampa's Super Bowl and parade experience can't compare to.

"This is by every measure the largest undertaking this city has ever taken on," Buckhorn said. "We've done big events, but this is significantly more complicated and frought with risk and opportunity than anything before it. It will be the second most heavily watched television event of the year behind only the Olympics. This is our chance to tell Tampa's story to the world and even though it's going to be inconvenient, it will pay dividends for decades to come."

Police chief Jane Castor stepped up to the podium to echo Buckhorn's sentiments. In her capacity, working with the Hillsborough County Sherriff's Office has been crucial to successfully planning for an event that will attract such a mixed bag of attention.

"Tampa hosts 800 special events a year, so we're pretty experienced at the department," Castor said. "In my 28 years at the department, I can honestly I've never been seen anything like this. We've prepared for every eventuality, but something is bound to come up that will force us to make some judgement calls. We have worked closely with the Sherriff's Office, and unlike other cities we are as one unit."

Hyde Park resident Jack Wyatt was on hand to hear what the Mayor and his staff had to say, but whether or not he believes they are ready for the event is another matter. When the time comes for one of those calls to be made, Wyatt is hoping that rationality prevails.

"I just hope they aren't over prepared," Wyatt said. "People that are coming here probably aren't going to do anything they're preparing for so I hope they take a stance like the City of New Orleans does during big events where if they aren't hitting anyone or destroying anything, let them do it. From hearing what they're saying, it sounds like that is their plan, but we'll see."

Here are 10 key items to take awayHill from the meeting:

• All streets south of Whiting Street in downtown Tampa will be closed, as will all streets west of Meridian Avenue.

• The channel district will be accessible via I-4, exit to 21st Street heading south. Continue to Adamo Drive and follow to Channelside Drive.

• The cruise terminal at Channelside will be open and active. 

• Pedestrians will have to cross into downtown via the Kennedy Blvd or Cass Street Bridges.

• Four South Tampa schools will experience a total of ten bus route changes for students living on Harbour Island. Gorrie Elementary, Plant and Robinson High Schools and Wilson Middle School will all experience a change in bus routes that will utilize the Cass Street bridge to get across the Hillsborough River.

• Parking pay machines will be shutdown and all parking will be coordinated by a sign on the yellow bag that covers the traditional meter pole indicating No Parking or 2 hour Free Parking.

• Publix and Four Green Fields on Platt will both be open. 

• Peter O. Knight Airport on Davis Island will be closed from Aug. 27-31 from 9 p.m.-midnight.

• Heading north on Bayshore from Davis Island will not be an option.

• No water activity behind or near the Tampa Convention Center will be allowed or tolerated. 

For more information about preparations for the event, road closures, transporation options and emergency procedures, visit www.tampagov.net/RNC.