Road closures, security impacts Ballantyne area

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It looks like first lady Michelle Obama is staying at the The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge.

She flew in to town, went to the arena, and then a Channel 9 crew saw a motorcade go by the resort. It consisted of about 10 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department motorcycles, highway patrol SUVs, and some black Suburbans between, one with windows down and heavily armed officers in plain view.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the resort earlier as crews put fences and concrete barriers in place. Westbound Ballantyne Commons Parkway is closed.

People who live near Ballantyne Commons Parkway have had to tweak their driving and even jogging plans.

"Definitely different than the normal everyday suburban Ballantyne traffic," Ballantyne resident Sara Moore said.

At least one business owner is upset about the closures.

Customers have to go a back way to get to his BP gas station because his main driveway is now off limits. He expects to lose a lot of money over the next few days.

WSOC