(SFC) In answer to requests the Boston 2024 Partnership released today the original bid plan that was provided to the U.S. Olympic Committee in December 2014 as their Summer Games submission.
Advertisement
But the privately funded organization, which has touted its transparency, declined to release the full version the bid, citing “proprietary information” the USOC did not want revealed. “With extensive community input, we released an updated plan on June 29 for hosting the Games, and, with the benefit of continued community engagement, we’re confident our bid will continue to evolve and improve”.
“Although technically possible to have a ballot initiative in 2016, given the onerous process, any initiative petition advanced by opponents to Boston 2024 would likely not appear on the ballot before November 2018”, Boston Olympics organizers wrote.
“Boston 2024 is afraid of a ballot question, and they’ve outlined a detailed plan to fight back against any effort to have one”, said Evan Falchuk, a former gubernatorial candidate and an organizer of the citizen-led ballot referendum.
The Boston bid has been beset by tepid polling numbers and an active opposition concerned about how much taxpayer money might be spent on the games.
At the time, polls did indicate that a majority of residents supported the Games. No Boston Olympics has also become a prominent voice in the debate, sparring on stage with bid leaders in a televised debate on Thursday.
In regards to the proposed budget, the original bid indicated a total cost of $4.7 billion and $500 million deficit. Boston 2024’s revised proposal shows a $4.6 billion budget with a surplus of just over $200 million.
Boston’s troubled bid for the 2024 Olympics suffered another blow on Friday as Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker reiterated he could not give backing to the event until he’s reviewed an independent report of its finances. “While it served that goal well, it was not meant to be a final or operable plan”, he said.
USOC Chairman Larry Probst has said he needs to see support grow sooner rather than later.
In January, Boston 2024 released only a portion of the bid after out-dueling Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C. for a chance to host the games.
“The Board of the USOC was very impressed by the vision that Boston 2024 presented last year to host a compact, sustainable Games that would leave a positive legacy for Boston and the Olympic movement”.
Advertisement
“Although initially private due to confidential and competitive concerns, we agree that the public and the City Council ought to be able to review this information”, Pagliuca said.
