GOP Convention Preparations Underway

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ The Republican National Convention is less than two weeks away and planners are building a quarter-mile long, covered walkway between the two main event locations.

During a news conference Monday, Mike Miller, the chief operating officer for the RNC Committee on Arrangements, said the building plans for the Tampa Bay Times Forum and the Tampa Convention Center are well underway and expected to be finished on time and on budget.

The convention will be held at the Forum from Aug. 27-30.

The 15,000-plus news media will be housed in the Convention Center.

The two will be connected via an air-conditioned covered walkway.

The GOP has also placed giant banners on the Forum’s exterior and the city of Tampa has placed similar flags around downtown to welcome delegates and other visitors.