ST. PAUL, Minn. – Construction crews began removing row after row of Xcel Energy Center seats. Forklift drivers slid load after load of electrical equipment off semi trucks. And the arena's manager handed over a ceremonial key to the building.

Republican National Convention planners took their tangible steps forward Monday, beginning a six-week conversion from hockey arena and concert hall to political showplace for the Sept. 1-4 nominating convention.

“It's going to seem a little more real after today,” said Jeff Larson, chief executive of the local host committee that bid to host the state's first national political convention since 1892.

The Republican Party and its general contractor will have exclusive access to the arena through the convention, meaning even the merchandise store will be emptied so it can be turned into a hospitality suite.

“They need every inch of space,” said Kathy O'Connor, an Xcel Energy Center spokeswoman. The arena would normally host four to six events – mostly concerts – during this span, she said.

Instead, crews will be laying down six miles of telephone and Internet cable and installing 4,500 data and analog lines. Close-to-the-action broadcast sets for television networks and tables for print journalists will take the place of 3,000 existing seats and another 475,000 square feet of media workspace will occupy an adjacent building. Several suites will be turned into hospitality rooms for donors, convention sponsors and prominent Republicans.

Mike Miller, director of convention operations, said there's not much time to spare. The goal is to have everything in place for a dry run on Aug. 29 – the day after Democrats conclude their convention in Denver.

That includes building the podium where Arizona Sen. John McCain will accept the presidential nomination, placing thousands of folding chairs on the arena floor, having state signs poking up to mark each delegation and suspending balloons overhead for the big finale.

Compared to many of the 10 conventions Miller has worked since 1972, he said the Xcel Energy Center is easier to work with.

“There's more space in here to do all we need to do, whether it's seating or hospitality rooms or meeting rooms,” Miller said. “It's a state-of-the-art, modern arena.”

In 2004, Republican convention organizers had to raise the Madison Square Garden floor to accommodate their space needs and the concourses were far more cramped, Miller said.

Once the final gavel falls, the crews have far less time to get the building back into original shape. The arena's managers regains custody on Sept. 18 and the main occupant, hockey's Minnesota Wild, host their first preseason game six days later.

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