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By Diane DiPiero, Associated Content

Posted August 18th 2010

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich has launched an all-out campaign to have his hometown host the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC). Cleveland made the short list of contenders along with Charlotte, Minneapolis and St. Louis. The winning city will be announced by the end of 2010.

Here’s a look at what Cleveland needs to offer if it hopes to get the title.

Money to burn

The DNC brought about $153 million in profits to the city of Denver, where the convention was held in 2008. Overall, metro Denver raked in about $266 million in profits.

But as the saying goes, you’ve got to spend money to make money. The Denver 2008 Host Committee had to raise roughly $51 million in cash and in-kind donations in order to hold the DNC activities.

Representatives for the city of Charlotte informed the Democratic National Committee that they would be able to raise $40 million from private resources in about 45 days. Cleveland would have to promise that it could produce similar funds if it hopes to be seriously considered for the DNC gig.

Elbow room

About 5,000 delegates attended the 2008 DNC in Denver, and 15,000 members of the international media hovered around the scene. It is estimated that 75,000 people were in Denver to hear Barack Obama accept the party’s nomination.

With those kinds of numbers, plenty of space is needed to accommodate convention-goers, convention staff, security and the press. The Colorado Convention Center, where the 2008 DNC was held, encompasses more than 580,000 square feet of contiguous space. A light-rail train provides access directly to the convention center garage.

The current Cleveland Convention Center, on the other hand, has just a little over 375,000 square feet of exhibition space. The performing arts area of the convention center includes the 3,000-seat Cleveland Music Hall.There are 300 indoor parking spaces, and the convention center is within walking distance of public transportation.

Cuyahoga County is working with MMPI of Chicago to build a new convention center adjacent to the proposed medical mart. That facility, however, is still in the planning stages and is not expected to be completed until 2013.

The other cities vying for the 2012 DNC have strong options when it comes to venues. In Minneapolis, Target Center, the Metrodome, TCF Bank Stadium and the Minneapolis Convention Center have all been mentioned as possible sites for the DNC. America’s Center in St. Louis boasts 502,000 square feet of exhibition space, 80 meeting rooms, a 66,000-seat dome and a 28,000-square-foot ballroom.

Cleveland could sell its nearby treasures, such as Playhouse Square, as options for some convention festivities while downplaying its relatively small convention center. In addition, venues such as Cleveland Browns Stadium and Progressive Field could be mentioned as possible sites for the presidential nominee’s acceptance speech.

Places to stay, things to do

The Democratic National Committee has already dropped in on Charlotte this summer, scrutinizing its meeting facilities, checking out transportation and hotel accommodations, and taking advantage of local restaurants and shops. In order to be considered host of the 2012 DNC, a city must have enough space and amenities for attendees and members of the media.

According to the Downtown Denver Partnership, about 19,000 hotel rooms were booked in Denver the week of the 2008 DNC.

Cleveland would have no problem meeting or surpassing that number, as there are 22,000 hotel rooms in the general area. Proximity to the convention center, however, would be important to convention-goers. Of the 22,000 hotel rooms in the greater Cleveland area, about 4,000 are located downtown, according to Positively Cleveland, the convention and visitors’ bureau for Northeast Ohio.

Television station WBTV Channel 3 reports that Charlotte has some 30,000 hotel rooms in its metro area. Minneapolis has about 30,000 hotel rooms in the city, according to the Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association. And there are close to 8,000 hotel rooms within a mile of the America’s Center, according to the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission.

Cleveland would need to show that its transportation system and roadways are solid enough to allow some convention-goers to stay outside of the city and yet have relatively easy access to the convention site.

More than a place to lay their heads, though, visitors need lots of options for dining and entertainment. When the Democratic National Committee visited Charlotte this summer, it was said to have been impressed with the abundance of restaurants and the overall appeal of the city.

Cleveland is home to several nationally renowned chefs and highly-rated restaurants. The city also teems with ethnic eateries that reflect its diverse heritage. Add to this the cultural significance of the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art, Playhouse Square, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and you have a pretty impressive list of attractions.

Lots of support

Chuck Berry and Nelly have both thrown their support behind St. Louis to host the 2012 DNC. Minneapolis quickly adopted a slogan: “Resourceful, Ready and Reliable.” And several North Carolina media outlets and bloggers are already bragging that their city is the front-runner.

Cleveland seems to be lagging behind the other 2012 DNC contenders when it comes to local support. All 10 of Ohio’s Democratic congressional representatives signed a letter asking the Democratic National Committee to pick Cleveland for the 2012 DNC. But there is no mention of Cleveland’s quest to host the event on the city’s website or the Positively Cleveland website.

Public support would certainly boost enthusiasm and spur ideas for making Cleveland the ideal city to host the 2012 DNC. Right now, Kucinich appears to be the head cheerleader as he awaits an equally enthusiastic squad to begin rooting for the home team.

Ongoing corruption investigations among Cuyahoga County Democrats could spoil Cleveland’s chances even further. As the county prepares to transition to a new form of government on Jan. 1, 2011, it’s possible the Cleveland area will pull away from its strong Democratic roots or simply stand back and make as little noise as possible so as not to draw further attention to the corruption investigations.

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