Security is going to be tight for President Obama in Austin, and some residents are being forced to stay inside.
The Austin Music Hall is president Obama's second stop in Austin Friday. So a Secret Service agent made his rounds around the area talking with businesses and the 360 Tower. After that talk, management at the Tower sent residents an email describing the situation. It talked about how 3rd Street will be closed along with Nueces to traffic. It also mentioned one restriction.
"The biggest surprise was we're not supposed to go out on the balcony," resident Robyn Dodge said.
The email said "No one on the balconies from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday afternoon." Dodge lives on the 36th floor and does have a slight view of the Music Hall.
"It's right down there, it's literally right across the street from us," Dodge said.
The view from Dodge's balcony is breathtaking. Dodge says it's like an extension to their living room and she loves to enjoy the view outside, especially during sunsets.
"It is a little bit disappointing not to be able to go out but what are you going to do, got to make accommodations for the president," Dodge said.
Dodge was also living in the building in 2012 when Obama last went to the Music Hall. She said it was tight security then as well, but she was allowed to go out on the balcony.
"Trying to make things a little bit more secure this time I guess," Dodge said.
They even watched with binoculars from the balcony, waving high to snipers on other skyscrapers.
Secret Service also went to businesses under the 360 Tower Wednesday. That includes Westlake Eyecare.
"I was kind of nervous because I thought I did something wrong," Westlake Eyecare employee Brooke Reisner said. "He basically said we should probably close down early and enjoy happy hour for the day."
Reisner said they are not planning on closing early, but they are putting appointments up before 11 a.m.
"Before all the hectic stuff starts to go down," Reisner said.
Other businesses on Nueces Street said the same thing. However, Ballet Austin, next door to the Austin Music Hall, said it will have any employees who can work from home and they'll have structured hours.
Dodge, who has a good view of MoPac and Lamar traffic, said she expects traffic to be crazy Friday.
"So I don't think we'll be going too far," Dodge said.
Still, she said it'll be fun to be a part of the national spotlight. She also said she will not go out on her balcony and risk a knock on her door from the Secret Service.
"Just happy to accommodate to keep everybody safe, especially the president," Dodge said.