JAX potential new host of 2020 GOP convention

[thelakelander]

[avonjax]

Curry I guess you tore down the Landing a bit too soon. Won't Jacksonville look wonderful, especially the empty lots on the riverfront, for the nation to see. It will be nice to see all the protests and crap that comes with this circus. Let me repeat I wouldn't want the DNC here at this time either. Too soon. But Curry and DeSantis are up the prez's butt.

[thelakelander]

Video: Jacksonville welcomes the RNC

'It's official! Jacksonville will host the Republican National Convention this August. Mayor Lenny Curry believes the city does things big, bold and will be ready depsite the expedited event planning timeframe.

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/video-jacksonville-welcomes-the-rnc/

[MandarinNole]

Anybody have any vacation rentals in other places available that weekend?

[Charles Hunter]

I think it's cute that Curry expects the convention organizing committee to cover extra costs associated with the convention rally.
Trump has a history of stiffing cities for his rallies.

[vicupstate]

Curry I guess you tore down the Landing a bit too soon. Won't Jacksonville look wonderful, especially the empty lots on the riverfront, for the nation to see. It will be nice to see all the protests and crap that comes with this circus. Let me repeat I wouldn't want the DNC here at this time either. Too soon. But Curry and DeSantis are up the prez's butt.

That is one advantage to JAX hosting it. There are lots of vacant lots to hold protesters.  So many in fact and in such large sizes, that social distancing and protesting could co-exist.

[BridgeTroll]

Curry I guess you tore down the Landing a bit too soon. Won't Jacksonville look wonderful, especially the empty lots on the riverfront, for the nation to see. It will be nice to see all the protests and crap that comes with this circus. Let me repeat I wouldn't want the DNC here at this time either. Too soon. But Curry and DeSantis are up the prez's butt.

That is one advantage to JAX hosting it. There are lots of vacant lots to hold protesters.  So many in fact and in such large sizes, that social distancing and protesting could co-exist.

Of course the flip side is the inevitable onslaught of negativity on Jacksonville from the national media. Lessee... ummm... full of rednecks, racists, Waffle House's,  and bereft of anything to do...

[Papa33]

I think it's cute that Curry expects the convention organizing committee to cover extra costs associated with the convention rally.
Trump has a history of stiffing cities for his rallies.

Read Mark Woods' column where he asks whether the city will be left holding the bag and what will be in it.  Here are two nuggets from the original bid for the "privilege" to host this convention:

The document detailed requirements for an arena, a massive amount of office space, parking for 2,500 vehicles and much more — all provided to the RNC at "no charge."

It also said that the temperature in the arena must be kept between 68 and 73 degrees — and that the host committee or city must pay the entire convention's electric bill.

[thelakelander]

Luckily, we aren't hosting the entire convention. Much of it will remain in Charlotte.

[Charles Hunter]

Do we think the RNC demands on Jacksonville will be any less?  (Adjusting for different events.)

[JaxAvondale]

Curry I guess you tore down the Landing a bit too soon. Won't Jacksonville look wonderful, especially the empty lots on the riverfront, for the nation to see. It will be nice to see all the protests and crap that comes with this circus. Let me repeat I wouldn't want the DNC here at this time either. Too soon. But Curry and DeSantis are up the prez's butt.

That is one advantage to JAX hosting it. There are lots of vacant lots to hold protesters.  So many in fact and in such large sizes, that social distancing and protesting could co-exist.

Good luck to anybody protesting or supporting in the August heat in a vacant lot with no shade. It is going to be blazing hot.

[MandarinNole]

Curry I guess you tore down the Landing a bit too soon. Won't Jacksonville look wonderful, especially the empty lots on the riverfront, for the nation to see. It will be nice to see all the protests and crap that comes with this circus. Let me repeat I wouldn't want the DNC here at this time either. Too soon. But Curry and DeSantis are up the prez's butt.

That is one advantage to JAX hosting it. There are lots of vacant lots to hold protesters.  So many in fact and in such large sizes, that social distancing and protesting could co-exist.

Good luck to anybody protesting or supporting in the August heat in a vacant lot with no shade. It is going to be blazing hot.

Sadly, there is a better chance of surviving in those lots than there is this bill will be paid in full.

[thelakelander]

Do we think the RNC demands on Jacksonville will be any less?  (Adjusting for different events.)

In this case, I believe they will. Since we aren't hosting the things they're keeping in Charlotte, those are costs we shouldn't have to worry about. If we were hosting the entire thing, then I'd be more inclined to believe we'd be forced to spend more money.

[sandyshoes]

JS #75: Maybe the professional protesters/actors are locking down their hotel rooms for the occasion. It's gonna be a real cluster.

[MusicMan]

Well i was wrong (you'll never hear Trump say that!).

Bring on the mess. Our city does not do things 'Big and Bold'. There is no history of that. Unless you count demolition of perfectly fine structures. And we do not have a proper Convention Center so they will have to improvise. The heat will be making everyone's lives miserable. Hopefully no big increases in COVID-19 or hospitalizations...or deaths.  Good thing we don't get hurricanes in late August.