City to spend $659K on DNC

The city expects to spend $659,700 on preparations for and work during the Democratic National Convention. That total covers beautification projects as well as overtime for Streets, Airport and Public Property workers, said city spokeswoman Lauren Hitt.

Security-related expenses are separate and will be covered by a $43 million federal grant. Hitt said the city expects all security expenses will be covered by the grant.

Some of the projects, already reported on, include replacing flags on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, painting bus shelters, filling potholes and an exhibit on the history of political conventions in Philadelphia.

Additional money goes toward extra beds and added homeless outreach staff during the convention. Hitt said some areas will be closed to the public and the homeless. Streets and Public Works is setting up bike racks and cleaning the streets before and after events and demonstrations.

Here's a breakdown of what each department expects to spend on the convention. The convention's host committee is funding a series of other projects, including a street mural running down the center of South Broad Street.

Parks & Recreation: $86,000
Water: $50,000
Streets: $214,000
Public Property: $76,000
CLIP (Community Life Improvement Programs): $100,000
Supportive Housing: $86,000
Airport: $47,000.

Philadelphia's costs appear to be a drop in the bucket compared to Cleveland. The host of the Republican National Convention just spent $36 million on airport improvements.

Of course, things could change.

"As with any major event, there may be some additional expenses that are incurred over the week of the Convention," Hitt said.

Hopefully it's not quite as steep a change as occurred during the papal visit when the city spent $8 million more than it had planned, mostly due to overtime police costs.

Click here for Philly.com's politics page.