100 Days Out, City Officials Say DNC Prep Is Running Smoothly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With just 100 days to go until the Democratic National Convention comes to Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney joined DNC officials at the National Constitution Center to give an update on where things stand.
While a DNC block party took place outside, Mayor Kenney joined with former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and other officials on Saturday to say that everything is moving ahead on schedule. While Kenney says the Pope's visit last year shows the city can handle a big event like this, he says the two are very different.
"Public transit will be up and running, we won't have restricted areas where people can't walk or can't traverse, we have one venue as opposed to multiple venues as the Pope visit created," Kenney said. "So I don't think the two are in comparison."
CEO of the 2016 DNC, Reverend Leah Daughtry, says estimates show the city will see around $300-million in economic impact.
"Delegates come for at least four nights, and many are here longer than that, and they come- we're democrats, we love to eat - we will be in the restaurants. We love to get around town. We'll be riding the trains and the busses," Daughtry said. "We like cultural icons, we'll be in the museums. We'll be spending money."
Officials also added that convention attendees will be busy from 7 to 11 p.m. every night, which gives the public a big window to get out and about in the city.
The DNC will take place July 25-28.
