BOSTON -- It's not quite time to start blowing up balloons, but at this time next year, the Democratic National Convention will be in full swing in Boston.

Video

Janet Wu Reports On Convention Preparations

Newscenter 5's Janet Wu reported that party leaders promised that everything would be ready for the convention, despite the current list of remaining hurdles.

"Boston has always come out the best when it comes to major events," said Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino.

With the convention just a year away, the city must still decide how to best address the issue of transportation to, from and through the Fleet Center, the site of the convention. One of Boston's transportation hubs for trains and the subway, North Station, is located at the Fleet Center.

Organizers believe North Station will be shut down to all trains for security purposes. The orange and green subway lines will temporarily end one stop before the Fleet Center at Haymarket Station, leaving delegates with a three-block walk to the center.

"We think we'll probably have to stop the (commuter) trains short and build temporary platforms and walkways to re-route folks out to Nashua Street, for instance," said MBTA's General Manager Michael Mulhern.

Menino and Sen. Edward Kennedy are seeking 8,000 volunteers to help with convention preparations and symbolically signed up for the job. New Mexico's Gov. Bill Richardson was named as chair of the convention.

Boston is still trying to raise $12 million in private donations and $13 million in public funding to help pay for the estimated $50 million tab. The state has yet to commit any funds.

"I can tell you I had one conversation with Gov. Romney and he said, 'I will do whatever it takes to make our city and state look good.' So I will hold the governor to his word," said DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe.

Convention organizers are also soliciting potential local vendors. The application is available on the convention website.

"The All Star Game, the Ryder Cup and the Tall Ships were certainly much bigger than the convention. And we are working on it a year out to make sure we have an efficient transportation system," said Julie Burns, Executive Director of Boston 2004.

The Federal Election Commission ruled last week that that so-called soft money will be allowed in the election and that should make fundraising easier for the convention. Menino said corporate donors immediately began stepping up and the city has already received $1 million in commitments since last week.