Bill de Blasio does not rule out possible local business closings if city hosts DNC in 2016

Mayor de Blasio on Tuesday did not rule out the possibility that businesses adjacent to the Barclays Center might have to temporarily close if the city hosts the 2016 Democratic national convention in Brooklyn.

The shutdowns might be necessary to create a secure perimeter around the arena if the convention is held there.

It was not immediately clear how many businesses would be affected and how long any closures might last.

“Our job is to maximize economic opportunity, minimize any situation where there would have to be any disruption of business — but that's going to be a process that plays out in the details," de Blasio said.

"One thing we can say for sure, NYPD is the best security partner that the DNC could have, and they'll know what we need, and they'll know how to make it work as flexibly as possible, so I think we're going to have a very, very positive economic impact on the surrounding community."

The mayor's cautious tone contrasted with the ebullience he displayed Monday after learning New York had made the national party's short list for the convention.

Philadelphia and Columbus, Ohio, also are finalists to host the political extravaganza.

The three rival cities now move into negotiations with the Democratic National Committee before the party picks a site by early next year.

De Blasio’s office has repeatedly refused to reveal many of the specifics of its DNC bid, especially any details that might cast the convention in a negative light.

Instead, Team de Blasio has focused on the positives of hosting the convention, such as the economic activity — and tax revenues - the gathering would generate.

But the city’s bid is unusual because of the number of commercial and residential buildings close by the suggested convention site. That is not the case with the Philadelphia and Columbus bids.

The mayor's office has said security specifics will be up to the Secret Service and NYPD to determine, including the size and duration of the security perimeter.

The web site Politico said Tuesday that “conventional wisdom” had the DNC picking Philadelphia, in part because of the security issues in Brooklym.

“We're goin' to Philly! Pennsylvania's a swing state. GOP convention is in Cleveland, making it less likely the DNC will choose Ohio. Brooklyn's Barclays Center has issues (serious, but not unresolvable) with the security perimeter, which could close a bunch of small businesses for weeks,” Politico said.

Kathy Wylde, head of the Partnership for New York City business group and a member of de Blasio's DNC 2016 Host Committee, predicted that "neighbors and business owners will likely need to garage their private vehicles for the duration, and people will probably not be able to drive into the Atlantic Center" mall.

During the convention, "regional customers may avoid the area, resulting in a short-term loss of sales," Wylde said, but "the longer term benefits of increased tourism and positive branding for Brooklyn and the Barclays area should more than offset any losses."

Carlo Scissura of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce said he had "no concerns about how it's going to affect the neighborhood.

"People are going to make a lot of money," he said.