The Boston Olympic overhaul has begun, as the '24 bid committee on Thursday announced the first major change to its widely criticized plan for the Games -- shifting the sailing venue 60 miles south to Buzzards Bay in New Bedford, Mass. It previously had been slated for Boston Harbor. In announcing the change, officials promoted two themes that will be part of other venue decisions -- temporary construction and lasting public benefits. The sailing-venue plans call for a 10,000-seat temporary seating/medal stand area to be built at historic Fort Taber overlooking the bay, a project officials say would revitalize the entire property while minimizing long-term upkeep costs ( Ben Fischer, Staff Writer ). In Boston, Mark Arsenault writes spreading events to areas outside Boston "could increase statewide support for the Games, but could also be seen as a departure from the bid committee's original focus on creating the most 'walkable' Games in history." Most events will remain in Boston, but Boston '24 CEO Richard Davey "suggested the bid committee would be making 'more news' outside the city as the new venue plan is rolled out" throughout the month. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said that no city tax money "would be spent on capital projects related to hosting the sailing races," but added that the city "would provide in-kind services, such as traffic control, as it does for other community events." Arsenault notes Boston '24 estimated venue costs at $21-25M, which the committee "would fund through its operating budget" ( BOSTON GLOBE, 6/5 ). In Massachusetts, Kathleen McKiernan notes New Bedford officials "had courted Boston 2024 about a year ago, asking the committee members to visit New Bedford as a potential sailing venue." Meanwhile, Davey said that Boston '24 "is in conversations with community leaders in several cities in Massachusetts and in New England, including Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, to potentially host other events" ( New Bedford STANDARD-TIMES, 6/5 ).
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK : In Boston, Shirley Leung writes, "Let’s be clear about one thing when it comes to hosting the Olympics: It’s going to require public help. The question we should be asking now is: How much?" Bid organizers are "so scared to talk about taxpayer money they've been dancing around the issue like a rhythmic gymnast." But they "shouldn't be so squeamish about getting help." Leung: "If hosting the Games will be a catalyst for development that otherwise might never happen, then the city or state should want to help" ( BOSTON GLOBE, 6/5 ).
