'All-Star ready': Mayor, police, Hornets lay out plan for NBA All-Star festivities

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 2019 NBA All-Star Game is just weeks away and thousands of people are expected to flood the Queen City to watch the game and enjoy the festivities.

Police, city leaders and other organizations laid out their plan Thursday morning to keep Charlotteans and visitors safe.

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The city was expecting to throw this kind of party two years ago, before the NBA moved its All-Star Game over the controversial HB2 legislation, and Thursday felt very much like a pep rally with Hornets and top city officials leading the cheers.

It’s been 28 years since Charlotte hosted an All-Star Game and Hornets President Fred Whitfield said this will be the biggest single sporting event ever in the city, saying Charlotte was “All-Star ready.”

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The dollar figure being placed on the event is $100 million. That includes hotels to restaurants and other businesses over the three days of All-Star weekend.

There are also the intangible benefits of being in the international sports spotlight for three days, and Mayor Vi Lyles wanted to make sure everyone knows how important that is.

[NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte: Where to catch the hoops and happenings]

“They'll be seeing our skyline,” the mayor said. “They’ll be seeing our skyline lit up red, blue and white because the NBA is going to put us again on the center stage in a global sense, and we’re really proud of that.”

Charlotte Area Transit System will implement several major service changes during the NBA All-Star weekend on Feb. 15-17.

Transit Centers

The Charlotte Transportation Center will be relocated to the surface parking lot across from the 7th Street Station parking deck. Along with catching a bus and transferring to other bus routes, CATS will provide riders with several amenities, such as pass sales and information, a heated customer waiting area, restrooms and on-site safety and security personnel.

The SouthPark Community Transit Center, located below SouthPark Mall, will be closed. CATS will re-route service to Morrison Boulevard during the weekend.

Rail Service

CATS will operate LYNX Blue Line trains every 15 minutes four hours before the start of the first All-Star event at the Spectrum Center.

LYNX will operate with additional security measures in place. Beginning at 5 p.m., Feb. 15-17, customers traveling from I-485 Station to UNC Charlotte Main Station must exit the train at 3rd Street Station. Customers traveling from UNC Charlotte Main Station to I-485 Station must exit the train at 7th Street Station. After exiting, there will be a security sweep of the train. Riders will then be able to re-board the train and continue to their destination. Purses, backpacks, suitcases, large tote bags or bulky items will not be allowed on board LYNX trains or at station platforms. This security measure will be in place until the end of service each night.

LYNX will not stop at the CTC/Arena Station from 5 p.m. till the end of service each night during All-Star Weekend. Customers should catch trains at 3rd Street or 7th Street Stations.

The CityLYNX Gold Line will not operate Feb. 15-17. Service will be provided via CATS local bus service on routes 9-Central Avenue, 15-Randolph Road, and 27-Monroe Road.

Cox Media Group