Phila. ahead of schedule in plans for 2000 convention

According to Tim Fitzpatrick, spokesperson for the GOP's convention committee, plans are well underway for the event -- scheduled for the week of July 29 through July 4 -- and the city is "six months ahead of schedule." While the Republican Party plans the internal details of the convention, there is also a host committee -- Philadelphia 2000 -- planning the various services and events, fundraising and recruiting 10,000 volunteers. Officials say the event will be a huge boost to the region's economy, filling hotels to capacity and bringing millions of dollars in spending money to the city's businesses. Mayoral spokesperson Kevin Feeley said the "conservative estimate" on the convention's economic benefits to the city is over $100 million. Landing the convention was a major goal of Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell. In addition to the economic benefits, officials hope that the15,000 members of the news media covering the events will provide a chance for the nation to get to know the City of Brotherly Love. "We want people to see what we have," said Philadelphia 2000 Executive Director Karen Bucholz, calling the convention an "unparalleled opportunity to showcase Philadelphia." And since party conventions have lost most of their drama in recent years, officials hope the focus could turn to the city hosting the event. The city has not hosted a national convention since 1948, when it had both the Democrats and the Republicans meeting in Philadelphia. The choice of Philadelphia for the Republican convention is unusual, some critics say, because the city hasn't had a Republican mayor in almost 50 years. But Tim Reeves, the press secretary for Republican Gov. Tom Ridge --Ethought to be a potential vice presidential nominee -- said the convention will be a boost to both the city and the GOP, and may serve to bring new recruits into the party. "If you want converts, you have to leave the church," Reeves said. Currently the Republicans are working out logistics for the actual event, such as floorplans and layouts, Fitzpatrick said. They will be designing transport plans with shuttle routes around the city for the delegates and visitors. Additionally, he said, they are busy analyzing security issues. Fitzpatrick said the First Union Center is the best location for the event because it is a new building with state-of-the-art broadcast facilities, even though it is smaller than the Pennsylvania Convention Center, which was the other option to house the convention. Bucholz said there will be events and parties for the delegates and attendees. There will also be local entertainment, including a traditional Philadelphia mummers parade. The GOP will receive around $13 million from the Federal Election Commission to hold the convention, but the city will be spending around $50 million. A third of the funding will come from local and state governments in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The rest of the money will come from the private sector. To complement the political machinery, the city will host a "PoliticalFest," which is being billed as a celebration of American political history. Bucholz said it will be a place for families to learn about politics and buy Philadelphia 2000 memorabilia. While most Penn students may not be on campus next summer, the University will be involved in the convention in a number of ways. Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said the University has offered its facilities to the convention. "We're virtually certain they'll be using our dorms, the Inn at Penn and the Sheraton," she said. Scheman also said the University plans to do whatever possible to allow its student to be a part of the convention.