Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina to watch the entire service live.
RALEIGH -- The businesses and neighbors around Hayes Barton Baptist Church are bracing for the large crowd expected at Tuesday’s funeral for former Sen. Jesse Helms. He died on Friday at the age of 86.
The area already saw a flow of people on Monday, as the public filed through the church while Helms’ body laid in repose. Tuesday, hundreds will come through, having an impact on the community.
“We’re expecting a crowd,” said Jim Thompson of Hayes Barton Pharmacy. “Probably starting around noon we’re expecting traffic to pick up.”
That traffic means less parking spaces. “Parking will be a premium, I’m sure it will be crowded,” said Thompson.
News 14 Carolina’s Amy Thorpe has more on how the community is preparing for the funeral of Sen. Jesse Helms.
"I'm going to leave it to the police to figure out how to park,” added Cecelia Winslow of The Point Restaurant & Bar. “Because that is a problem in the area."
Church officials and Raleigh Police expect hundreds if not thousands to begin coming to the church around noon for the 2 p.m. funeral. They have overflow parking lots in place for the crowds, and shuttles will then take people to the church.
"Please be patient,” advised Lt. Paula O’Neal of the Raleigh Police. “We're gonna get you in as soon as possible and we're gonna be working traffic from the onset. Please plan to be here early."
As for Thompson, he’s ok with the crowds as long as they honor the late senator. “People are coming in to town to remember him. He was – whether you liked his politics or not – he was a Southern gentleman.”
Overflow parking lots are at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Whitaker Mill Road and Hayes Barton Methodist Church on Fairview Road. Officers say they plan to keep roads open as long as possible, but say they may have to shut down traffic on Whitaker Mill Road and Glenwood Avenue around 1 p.m.
The funeral, which starts at 2 p.m., is open to the public. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina on Tuesday afternoon to watch the entire service live.