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Is it just Gothamist, or does it seem that projections are never correct. Sure, they are estimates, but how about just calling them guesses from now on. It looks like the convention might not generate $265 million in economic activity after all. Rooms in popular hotels and tables at top-notch restaurants remain available. The marketing director for the group that owns Nobu told The Times that "At this point you could probably get a table [at Nobu]." Mental note: make reservation at Nobu during convention.
Mayor Bloomberg and other city officials have repeatedly said that the convention will cause little disruption, but with all the proposed closings, Gothamist isn't sure how that's possible. While some businesses look to experience an economic boon, some may go closer to bust. One store owner, who pays $5000 in rent doesn't know how will be able to sell purses and shoes to his customers when security is so tight. Gothamist thinks it could be a money making opportunity - sell comfortable shoes and slap an American flag on anything, and they will sell like hotcakes to the convention-goers.
A preliminary report about Boston's convention has the convention only generating 10% of the projected income. The figure is disputed by the city and hotels have not yet been included, but that's a chilling thought. 10% of $265 million? Factor in all the security costs and the loss of business, and we're not sure if all the trouble is worth even 50% of NYC's projections.
On the more humorous side, it looks like Warner Books will be slapping the ad above onto taxis in the city. Nothing like greeting Republicans with their favorite "documentarian".
Gothamist on the Republican Convention.
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Maybe the visiting GOPs should be required to pay for their Pataki Passes.
Please, the hotel/restaurant part of this thing is ridiculous -do you really think people are avoiding Nobu b/c of the convention??? It's the summer! You can get a reservation almost anywhere, especially the week before Labor Day. Leave it to the Times to pin a page one story on the convention to some hearsay about restaurant reservations. Gimme a break.
Well, the people who have the wherewithall to flee NY during the convention are far more likely to be clientele of restaurants like Nobu than a delegate from Lancaster, PA.
It's hokey restaurants like Tavern on the Green (mentioned in the article) that will get the biggest lift from the RNC.
On a related note, who else thinks that the sparse crowds and interest in the Athens olympics can only put a damper on the NYC2012 plans?
These types of the events (and I include the Olympics and Jets Stadium) never generate what the backers claim they will. It's the continual support of the small businesses (and infrastructure like the subways, etc.) that support the economic vitality of New York. Often these "big shot projects" disrupt more than they contribute.
The restaurants to gain the most out of the convention: Olive Garden and Red Lobster.
Republicans have no taste. Don't we already know that?
Restaurants and shops may experience a drop in business but the pimps and strippers are going to make a *killing*. I hear Ralph Reed's already booked a table at the Penthouse Executive Club.
I still think that if the city uses the 2012 games as an impetus (or even an excuse) to build a better infrastructure, that might be a fair trade off (against the inconvenience). But a stadium just for a particular sports franchise would not accomplish this.
Of course, there's always the issue of the extreme levels of inconvenience for lengthy periods of time. (think Big Dig)
Mmm... Red Lobster...
Is the mayor surprised? Look at what happened in Boston.
did you know Gothamist is on CNN.com:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/ptech/08/17/metro.blogs.ap/index.html
Well, never let it be said that our city isn't willing to go after the wallets on both sides of the fence: the Convention and Visitor's Bureau has pulled together various offers for something called a "Peaceful Political Activists". That'll keep them off the streets and in Applebee's!
I just hope that we raise enough money from the convention to cover any losses caused by protesters -- be they real 'soldiers of the cause', or agent provocateur 'crowd plants'... and/or by the cops, for that matter!
Salon has an interesting article today foretelling the madness.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/08/17/convention_protest/index.html
By the way, I'd urge anyone planning to protest the convention to do so calmly [i.e. no violence or property damage] no matter how outraged you may be about Bush's policies, the fact that he's even IN the White House, or that he had the nerve to come to our city for the convention. If there really are still any 'undecided voters' watching and trying to make up their minds, they probably can't relate to angry rioting, so try to save your rage for the voting booth!
As a Southerner living in Manhattan and married to a native New Yorker, the thought that "Republicans have no taste" is just silly and narrow-minded ideology.
Perhaps "PS" is too busy weaving tales to notice that a good and healthy number of conservative writers, journalists, musicians, and everyday fellow citizens enjoy living in and around all parts of the city. Had "PS" been callous enough to inquire about his/her fellow citizens' political preference, he/she might have found a few conservatives while soaking up some atmosphere at Chumley's, having a rip-roaring time at the Fringe Festival, frequenting the city's vintage clothing stores, reading the Sunday paper in Central Park, thumbing through books at the Strand, or bumping into one of us at a museum or(Quelle Horreur!)on the subway while reading National Review in public. One doesn’t have to be a native New Yorker (or a Democrat) to know these are mere fractions of what makes this city great and appreciated.
Red Lobster, indeed.
This is not surprising. Everyone in the Northeast hates Republicans so they are staying far away. At the same time, they are secretly hoping for a terrorist bullseye on MSG on Thursday evening of the convention.
Republicans have never done anything for NYC and I look forward to them leaving. Hopefully the stench will dissipate quickly.
Three more months! Three more months!
tscoccol, i don't hate republicans. i like john mccain, john warner, Olympia Snowe and have neutral to positive feelings about Bloomberg and Giuliani. There's only one problem: these people aren't the mainstream Republicans anymore. Their party has been hijacked by right-wingers and even the Republican party of Nixon and Reagan seems moderate in comparison.
And I don't know any Democrat who is secretly hoping for a terrorist bullseye anywhere in NYC. What an awful thing to suggest.
Thanks, D, for your measured response to tsoccol's comment. I've been livid all day and trying to think of polite ways to say "fuck you and the self-satisfied, self-absorbed, prejudiced horse you rode in on."
Republicans have never done anything for NYC
Oh, really? Get your head out of your ass, you smug piece of shit. As a republican who does a lot for New York--a volunteer fundraiser for community-based organizations, a supporter and collector of emerging artists, an all-around good host to visitors--I'm personally very insulted. What the fuck have you done for New York other than whining and bitching and blocking traffic?
tscoccol wrote: “Everyone in the Northeast hates Republicans so they are staying far away. At the same time, they are secretly hoping for a terrorist bullseye on MSG on Thursday evening of the convention.” and “Republicans have never done anything for NYC and I look forward to them leaving. Hopefully the stench will dissipate quickly."
Why, how very broad-minded of you, tscoccol. Are you sure it isn’t the stench of tolerance you liberals so cling to that isn’t dissipating from your narrow little mind?
“Liberal” - Free from bigotry, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
If you’re going to claim to be something, you should at least stick with the original definition. Petulance only belongs to fretful little bullies.
Republicans haven't done anything for New York, except save it from extinction. Wall Street is the economic engine that drives everyting in this city. All of you service industry sourpusses would be on the bread line if it weren't for the investment bankers, traders and lawyers who feed you. And naturally it took a Republican mayor to bring down the crime rate. This place was a disaster in the 70s thanks to the failure of left-wing ideologies. Pout all you want, this city has been completely transformed by Republican ideas.