With only 16 days left until the Oct. 11 vice-presidential debate at Centre College, officials from the college as well as the city, state and federal governments are busy making preparations.
During Monday’s Danville City Commission meeting, the debate was a frequent topic of discussion. Assistant City Engineer Josh Morgan reported that all scheduled paving projects should be completed by early next week. Public Works personnel plan to paint curbs in the downtown and Centre College areas of the city by the end of this week. City workers began trimming trees Monday night and will continue to do so all week.
Depending on today’s weather, Public Works personnel plan to repaint all poles, benches and trash cans in the downtown area.
The Heart of Danville is busy with its own preparations to make the city as welcoming as possible for the debate between vice-presidential contenders Joe Biden and Paul Ryan, said Interim Director Brenda Willoughby. Commissioners unanimously approved her request to hang on Main Street a large sign bearing the words “Welcome to Danville, Ky.” and the debate logo.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, Richard Trollinger, Centre’s vice president for college relations, thanked the city for its “marvelous” support.
“The level of civic pride here is just extraordinary,” Trollinger said.
One of the realities of living in the post-Sept. 11, 2011, era is that there will be plenty of barricades as part of the security plan implemented by the U.S. Secret Service, Kentucky State Police, Danville Police Department and Boyle County Sheriff’s Department, Trollinger said. Most major road closures will not happen until the day of the debate, he said.
The following closures are planned as part of the debate, according to KSP. Streets will be blocked from the beginning date and time until at least 2 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12.
10 p.m. Oct. 9
- College Street from Main Street to Grant Street.
- West Walnut Street from Fifth Street to Maple Street.
9 p.m. Oct. 10
- Maple Street from Main Street to Walnut Street.
- College Street from Grant Street to Russell Street.
- Beatty Avenue, entire length.
- Colonel Drive, entire length.
- Russell Street from Beatty Avenue to College Street.
- Grant Street from College Street to Fourth Street.
- Martin Luther King from Fourth Street to Centre College campus.
- Fifth Street from Main Street to Walnut Street.
- West Walnut Street from Fourth Street to the railroad tracks.
6 p.m. Oct. 11
- Main Street from the bypass to Fourth Street.
- Fourth Street from Main Street to Grant Street.
- Saint Mildred’s Court, entire length.
- North Maple Street from Main Street to West Lexington Avenue.
- South Fifth Street from Walnut Street to Main Street.
