Planning groups weigh in on Boston’s bid to host Olympics

A coalition of planning groups is calling on state and local officials to play a lead role in planning improvements to housing, transportation and infrastructure in Massachusetts during planning for Boston’s bid to bring the 2024 Olympic games here.

So far, the nonprofit Boston 2024 has largely driven planning on bringing the games to Boston, while the broader needs of the Greater Boston region and the state have taken a back seat, according to a joint report of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance and Transportation for Massachusetts. The groups released their report on Tuesday, calling on state and local leaders to establish a coordinated planning process for the 2024 Olympics bid.

“We have to put legacy first,” said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of MAPC, in a press statement. “It’s not just about writing a winning bid and making the Games a success; it’s about making sure our region ends up with more affordable homes, better jobs, beautiful parks, and a 21st century transportation system. These things won’t just happen by themselves. We have to leverage the Olympic bid to make them happen, and the sooner the better.”

Boston 2024 backers have pitched the Olympics as a way to plan for and implement critical infrastructure improvements in the Greater Boston area. But their efforts have been panned by local activists who complain the planning has not been inclusive or transparent. Olympics opponents have accused Boston 2024 backers of downplaying what many believe would be substantial public investments in local infrastructure necessary for the city to host the games.

Who pays at issue

The MAPC-led coalition calls for private funding for sports venues and other construction projects the Olympics would require.

“Infrastructure improvements that are solely related to the Games should be financed entirely by private sources,” the report reads. “Projects that generate shared benefits to the Games as well as long-term public benefits should be financed by a mix of public and private funds.”

The groups authoring the report are focused on long-term regional planning for housing, transportation, open space and other public infrastructure needs. They echo Walsh’s contention that the Olympics present a unique opportunity to focus resources on long-term planning for the Greater Boston area.

“The goal of Boston 2024 is to win the Olympic bid, but our goal is to create infrastructure and thriving neighborhoods that will strengthen Greater Boston and the Commonwealth for decades to come. With coordination and good planning, these goals can be compatible,” said Andre Leroux, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance, in a statement. “The public needs to have confidence that this is happening.”

Fiscal fuzzies

Chris Dempsey, a spokesman for No Boston Olympics, said the coalition report did little to outline the costs Olympic games would impose on the city and state.

“We have a lot of respect for the organizations that put out this report, but the document they’ve put together doesn’t include and numbers or quantitative analysis,” he said. “It’s a sort of shopping list without a bank account. That should be a concern to anyone who’s concerned about Olympics costs spiraling out of control.”

The MAPC report urged officials to make sure projects done in support of the Olympics do not displace the city’s lower-income residents.

“The Olympic venues provide an opportunity to create new and vibrant neighborhoods after the Games,” the report reads. “Before the Games, venues should be designed to avoid displacement of existing residents, tenant protections put in place, and specific and binding targets established for affordable housing at redevelopment sites. Post-Olympics, the neighborhoods should feature housing at a variety of price points, walkable and bikeable streets, parks and other amenities.”

The report also calls for infrastructure improvements at all three proposed venue sites: Widett Circle/Cabot Yards, Columbia Point, and North Allston/Beacon Yard Precinct.

“These projects will help to transport Olympic guests, and they will also make stronger neighborhoods after the Games end,” the report states. “Boston 2024 should advocate for these improvements, and contribute to their funding.”