Chuck Schumer Joins Push To Hold Democratic Presidential Convention At Barclays

Senator and Park Slope neighbor Chuck Schumer joined Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and other leading Democrats in a rally on Monday outside of Barclays to voice support for bringing the Democratic presidential convention to the arena in 2016.

“Having the convention would be a great thing for Brooklyn, and all of New York City,” he said.

Brooklyn is currently one of the top cities being considered for the convention — the others are Philadelphia, which is thought to be the one that will get it; Columbus, Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; and Phoenix. The Democratic National Committee is in town today and tomorrow to assess the logistics of holding the convention here.

Issues that make Barclays less than ideal include not having enough hotel rooms in the borough — we’ve got about 3,500, and they want 17,000 within a close drive — and then getting conventioneers to and from Barclays from Manhattan hotels. All of which Senator Schumer has said is no big deal, claiming he can drive from Midtown to his home near the stadium in 15 minutes (at off-peak hours, though).

After visiting the top cities through the fall, the DNC will announce its decision either at the end of this year, or early next year.

The DNC estimates about 50,000 delegates will attend the convention — do you think Barclays is the right fit?