RNC to Cause Schedule Changes, Road Closures

The Republican National Convention is expected to disrupt schedules and close roads when it comes to Tampa and parts of St. Petersburg Aug. 27-30.

Tens of thousands of convention delegates media members, visitors and more will be converging on downtown Tampa, and street and public garage parking could be at a minimum, according to a brochure from Hillsborough County, which will close its County Center building Aug. 20-31.

"We're Open for Business, Just Not Business as Usual," the brochure reads.

Hillsborough County will be relocating its services to places throughout the county. The county's Planning Commission & MPO, for example, will operate from four locations, including .

Security plans for the RNC will force the closure of sections of major roads in Tampa such as the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway to make room for convention attendees downtown, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Other traffic snarls are expected throughout Tampa Bay the week of the RNC. with thousands of supporters at the  on Aug. 26 at noon. 

The Hillsborough County school system will also be affected. The district's Athletics Office has announced that all high school football games originally scheduled for Friday, Aug. 31, will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1.  will play Wharton at home, and  will play at Newsome. (The full anticipated schedule accompanies this story.)

The district announced in June that it would not have any sporting events during the week of the RNC due to concerns about security for Friday night football games as local law enforcement officers would likely still be on RNC-related assignments, and would not be available to serve as off-duty security.

After almost two months of discussions and negotiations, Athletic Director Lanness Robinson informed schools Wednesday that there would be sufficient numbers of law enforcement officers and game officials to work Saturday night games, according to a press release.

What do you think about the scheduling and traffic inconveniences you may experience due to the RNC? Tell us in the comments.