Lowell Sun on Olympic Bid

For John, BLUF:  And we still need a replacement for the Rourke Bridge, immediately.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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I believe Editor Jim Campanini, of The [Lowell] Sun captured, today, the debacle that was our Olymipic Bid for 2024:—"Little minds miss the big picture for Boston 2024".

The Editor points out that the Olympics would have been good for our region, but giving us more attention, upon which we could capitalize.  On the other hand, the Olympics would require investments of money, which would have required taxes.

I have been of two minds about the Olympics Bid.  On the one hand, it would be good for the region, in a number of ways, including infrastructure investment.  On the other hand, I feared out of control costs, reminiscent of the Big Dig.  Nothing I had heard gave me confidence that this was a program that would be under control.♠  And for those who forgot the Big Dig, here is some history:

Here is how Mr Campinini wraps it up:

While I agree that Boston 2024 was its own worst enemy, it provided a map to the future.  It identified development locations and ideas for Boston that even the best and brightest planners failed to see from their high-salaried government perches.

It proposed solutions to problems.  For example, buildings constructed for the Olympics would be designed for re-use as affordable housing units or college dormitory space.

Many of Massachusetts' infrastructure needs were addressed in the 2024 bid package, signaling a jump-start on long overdue and neglected projects.  What happens now?  Will they be kicked down the road like in the past?

The Massachusetts way is sinking in.  OK, we are a provincial lot.  We've got the best medical and educational facilities around, gorgeous beaches, wonderful neighborhoods, and don't need to take on a billion risks to prove ourselves.  One out-of-state columnist, in praising Walsh's decision to walk away from the USOC, said Massachusetts didn't want to become the "Greece of America."  It's a clever line.  Yet for some reason I believe we're more bankrupt today than anything the 2024 Summer Olympics would have brought us.

I agree, great idea, very poor execution.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  On the other hand, if someone had said Mitt Romney was going to be the trail boss, I would have had confidence.