FAQ: Security Info

Security/Transportation/Local Residents FAQs

Local law enforcement and the U.S. Secret Service released a comprehensive security plan, including street closures, pedestrian restrictions, and detailed maps. You can read the plan in its entirety here. The Host Committee worked with our City partners to put together the following as a summary of that plan to make it easier for local residents and businesses to find answers to their questions.

Will I be in the security perimeter?
There is no “perimeter” per se. Local law enforcement and the United States Secret Service have released street closures and pedestrian restrictions that are in close proximity to the convention venues: Time Warner Cable Arena and Bank of America Stadium. Any person living or working in Uptown Charlotte will be able to get to their home or place of employment before, during, and after the convention. The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and City officials are working with local police and Secret Service to minimize the impact of convention activities on the daily routines of Charlotteans.

What restrictions will exist?
Restrictions on vehicular traffic and public street parking will be implemented in the area near the Time Warner Cable Arena beginning on Sunday, September 2 , the I-277 Ramp to West Carson Boulevard beginning on Tuesday, September 4, and in the area near Bank of America Stadium beginning on Wednesday, September 5. Different restrictions for exist for vehicular traffic and pedestrian access.

What are the street closures for CarolinaFest 2012?
On Monday, September 3, the Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee will hold CarolinaFest from approximately 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. The event will run along Tryon Street from Stonewall to Trade Streets. Public entry points will exist at the intersection of Stonewall and Tryon and east and west of Tryon on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 3rd Street, 4th Street, and Trade Street For additional information on this event, go to http://carolinafest2012.com/.

What if I live or work in a restricted area?
The City is open for business and any person who works uptown will be able to get to their place of employment. The public and private sector are planning together for a safe and successful event and working to minimize the impact of convention activities on the daily routines of Charlotteans.

Pedestrians walking to their home or business that falls into a restricted area will be required to provide identification when the road is closed. Passenger (as opposed to commercial) vehicles attempting to enter streets with restricted vehicle access must go through a vehicle checkpoint.

What type of identification is required?
A standard issued government ID is requested.

I hear that residents are advised to leave town, is this true?
Absolutely not. We want our thriving Uptown and business community on full display convention week. We encourage all residents of Charlotte to come witness this historic event. From CarolinaFest 2012, the free convention week kick off event, to opportunities to witness President Obama’s speech at Bank of America Stadium the final night of the convention, there will be many activities and experiences that local residents can take part of. Click here to view some of these opportunities.

What about Commercial Deliveries, including all trash pick-up and removal, catering, food and beverage, construction, utility vehicles, buses, shuttles (larger than a 15-passenger van)?
No commercial motor vehicle access, regardless of size or weight, will be permitted on East 11th Street east of North Church Street when that street is restricted. Beginning at 6 p.m., Monday, September 3, through 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, September 5, any vehicles making deliveries to the vehicle restricted areas surrounding the Time Warner Cable Arena must go to the remote delivery site (RDS) located at 900 North Davidson, lower lot C, for screening prior to entering the vehicle restricted zone. To access the RDS from the north, enter from North Davidson Street and McGill Garden Way; from the east, enter from East 12th Street to North Davidson Street to McGill Garden Way. Once screened, vehicles will be escorted from the RDS to their destination. It is recommended that all deliveries be made between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. to avoid significant delays.

Additionally:

  • Beginning at 6 p.m., Monday, September 3, through 11:59 p.m., Thursday, September 6, any tractor-trailer or tanker truck entering the area encompassed by I-277 must be inspected at the RDS.
  • Beginning at 6 p.m., Monday, September 3, through 12:01 a.m., Friday, September 7, any vehicles making deliveries to the Charlotte Convention Center or NASCAR Tower/Hall of Fame, must go to the RDS for screening. Once screened, vehicles will be escorted from the RDS to their destination. It is recommended that all deliveries be made between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. to avoid significant delays.
  • Beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 6, through Friday, September 7 at 3 a.m., bulk hazardous materials shipments will be PROHIBITED on I-77 North and South from I-85 to Woodlawn Road (US 521) without prior clearance from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol may be contacted at *HP (from a mobile phone) or 1-800- 572-8765 for clearance procedures.

What areas should commercial vehicles avoid if possible?
Commercial motor vehicle through traffic should be avoided on I-77 North and South from I-85 to I-485 between 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, and 3 a.m., Friday, September 7. Alternate routing via I-485 and I-85 is strongly suggested.

Commercial motor vehicle through traffic should also be avoided on I-277/NC16 (John Belk and Brookshire Freeways) from Wilkinson Boulevard (US 74) to Beatties Ford Road and from Independence Boulevard west (US 74) at Eastway Drive/North Wendover Road between 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, and 3 a.m., Friday, September 7.

Will my mail services or trash pickup be delayed? Mail services (U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, etc) will operate as normal?
All garbage and recycling pickups for locations inside the vehicle-restricted areas will occur on their regularly scheduled day but between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 6 a.m. Beginning at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, through 11 p.m. on Thursday, September 6, all vehicles used for trash pickup services inside the vehicle restricted areas surrounding both the Time Warner Arena and the Bank of America Stadium must go to the remote delivery site (RDS) located at 900 North Davidson, lower lot C, for screening prior to entering the vehicle restricted zone. To access the RDS from the north, enter from North Davidson Street and McGill Garden Way; from the east, enter from East 12th Street to North Davidson Street to McGill Garden Way. Once screened, vehicles will be escorted from the RDS to their destination.

Will my normal parking place be affected by the security plan? If it is, what should I do?
To access parking places and lots that fall within restricted streets, drive to the passenger vehicle checkpoint closest to your parking and follow the directions at the checkpoint to access your parking. You can locate these checkpoints by clicking here.

Should I drive into Uptown during the Convention?
If your plans include accessing a closed street, we encourage you to use public transportation if possible. Both CATS and LYNX provide access to many of the Uptown convention-related events and venues and will make it easy for people to come experience the convention and witness history.

Will public transportation be affected?
CATS services will be operational during the week of the convention. Transit customers can depend on convenient access to destinations and seamless transfers to other routes whether riding to work or visiting the area.

The Charlotte Transit Center (CTC) will temporarily relocate to West 3rd Street and South Mint Street from Monday, September 3 through Wednesday, September 5 during the Democratic National Convention. The CTC will return to normal operations the morning of September 6. The temporary transit center will operate during normal business hours.

As with the CTC, the proximity of the Charlotte LYNX light rail line to Time Warner Cable Arena will require additional security measures, including the temporary suspension of service to the Third Street, CTC/Arena and 7th Street Stations. It is anticipated that the LYNX light rail will operate from the I-485 Station to the Stonewall Street Station from Monday, September 3 through Wednesday, September 5, and will return to normal operations the morning of Thursday, September 6.

For more information on transit rerouting, visit http://DNCinfo.CharlotteNC.gov and click on “Getting to Work” or visit http://www.ridetransit.org.

Will parking be restricted? How will I know where I can or cannot park?
Parking is not allowed on streets that are restricted. You can see those streets here. Parking restricted areas will be posted with “Emergency No Parking” signage.

I live outside of Center City, how will traffic be impacted?
DNC-related street closures are limited to areas around the convention venues that are in Uptown Charlotte. Although increased traffic does occur with large events like the Convention, the DNCC and City officials from CMPD, CATS and the Charlotte Department of Transportation are working on a plan that will minimize traffic congestion during convention week.

Why do these restrictions exist? Who came up with them?
Security and transportation plans for the convention and its events have been developed by a partnership of local, state and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies. Every effort has been made to minimize the impact of these safety measures.

How will delegates travel around the City?
The DNCC is designing and executing an extensive shuttle bus system to transport thousands of delegates, media, and convention guests. More than 250 buses will service 150 hotels and utilize dozens of carefully planned routes. The shuttle system will reduce the number of vehicles on the road during convention week.

Where can I get more information about street closures?
There are a number of online resources for communicating useful information on street closures, traffic disruptions and more.

Information and updates for the 2012 Democratic National Convention will be available online through the following websites:

Will people be able to demonstrate during the Convention?
The City is working with convention organizers to ensure people’s ability to engage in freedom of speech activities. A designated speakers’ platform and parade route are planned along with a permitting system created for those interested in demonstrating. The City is developing an on-line permitting process that will be available at DNCinfo.charlotteNC.gov in early June for those wanting to enter into a lottery to register for the speakers’ platform and/or parade permit. In addition, other public property such as City sidewalks and County parks will be available for peaceable assembly and free speech activities without a permit. The City has identified a speakers platform location and a designated parade route for demonstrators. The speakers platform is an area for expressive speech that can accommodate up to 20 groups per day. Each group will be allowed 30 minutes of speaking time. The parade route is one mile long and there can be up to 6 parades per day. Only one lane of traffic will be closed along the route. If you want to learn more, watch this video message from Emily Cantrell, DNC Permit Officer for the City of Charlotte or go to www.dncinfo.charlottenc.gov.

Are there any special permitting requirements for transportation companies and drivers that want to operate a vehicle for hire during the Convention?
In order to operate, companies and owners will need to obtain a special permit for the DNC. This permit will be valid from August 31- September 7th. CMPD will be issuing driver permits, vehicle permits and company operating certificates. There are two ways companies can obtain these permits: they can come to CMPD and get a company operating vehicle permit or they can affiliate with a company current with the City of Charlotte. It is important to note that applications will be accepted July 16 - August 17.

Charlotte in 2012
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