Democrat Convention LIVE Stream

CHARLOTTE, N.C. With expectations running high that President Barack Obama will stay nearby, Ballantyne residents are dealing with the effects of a high-security guest: road closures, traffic clogs and lulls in business.

By Tuesday afternoon, dump trucks were stationed along portions of Ballantyne Commons Parkway to create a mobile barrier along the perimeter of the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, where the president and first lady are rumored to be staying during the convention.

Construction signs alerted drivers to road closings in effect Wednesday on Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Police were already patrolling the perimeter of the hotel, and concrete partitions had been set up to create a permanent blockade from motorists entering the back side of the hotel.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, the public still could access the front of the hotel, although signs were posted along the roadway alerting commercial vehicles of restricted access.

Businesses near the hotel say they are feeling the strain of road closures.

Krista McClelland, manager of Starbucks in the Ballantyne Quad, said business is slow because of road closures.

“I’m excited to have everyone here, but it’s hurting our business,” McClelland said. “I was worried our delivery truck wouldn’t get through to us this morning.”

At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, about six people were using the lobby in Starbucks, which is below normal, McClelland said.

Einstein Bros Bagels, near Starbucks, is also feeling the strain on business as people navigate around restricted areas.

“I don’t think people are going to be very happy about additional road closings,” said an Einstein Bros Bagels employee on duty. “This is not a forgiving group of people and they won’t be happy about unexpected road closings.”

Yes, his grandparents lived in a condo in the same area I did and I couldn't afford a condo in that area either. The only thing I could maybe afford was a 2 bedroom condo in the middle of the pineapple fields that would have been a huge struggle to make ends meet, and I had a pretty good job in DoD.

Hawaii turned me into a red blooded conservative. I could not afford a condo, however they sure used my state taxes to subsidize those with lower incomes to buy HOUSES in good locations.

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