RNC took a year to build, but only a day to clean

TAMPA, Fla. - Though it's taken more than a year of preparation to host the Republican National Convention, downtown Tampa is returning to normal just a day after the RNC.

"Two o'clock when I was out here, crews were out there taking down the fences," explained Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

Crews started tearing down security equipment almost immediately after parties ended early Friday morning, including four miles of security gates and white plastic window coverings.

Government employees wheeled brown boxes filled with supplies into offices that sat empty all week.

"When the last delegate bus left the secure zone, that's when we shifted into high gear," said Public Works Director Irvin Lee.

As downtown buildings prepared to open for work again next week, one of the main RNC entertainment tents shut down.

"It's a lot of hard work. People are working 24-7 here," explained RNC event designer Grymes Cannon. "It takes a lot longer to put up that to take back down."

The 38,000 square foot tent hosted concerts by Journey, Kid Rock, and Trace Adkins, using $4.5 million dollars worth of equipment.

"We would do a show, tear it down, bring in the next show, get a little sleep, clean the room," said Sail Away Productions Executive Producer Jim Root.

Root's company hired 600 staff members for the event, most of whom are bay area residents, in hopes of stretching any RNC benefits after the convention ends.

"Let's get it local. Let's use a lot of people," Root said. "Let's get some money flowing back into the Tampa market."

The Crosstown Expressway opened to drivers Friday morning, while other closed roads cleared up around noon.

And though safety is a top priority for the city as it cleans up, so is speed.

"For folks who live here, this is their home and we want to get home back to the way it was," Irvin said.