In a new poll released from WBUR, it’s becoming increasingly clear what the path forward for Boston 2024 points toward. If the bid wants to retain its notion of a “walkable” Games, support across the state will not reach a majority. If the venues were more spread out to include other parts of Massachusetts, then the support increases greatly.
In its first statewide survey, WBUR measured Boston 2024 support at 39 percent, with 49 percent opposed. Measuring the opinions of 502 statewide residents from earlier in June, the poll showed that opposition decreases significantly if Boston 2024 abandons its attempt to focus a majority of the events around the city, and spreads everything out.
According to the survey, residents were asked the following:
Some have proposed spreading out the Olympic venues across Massachusetts. If the venues were spread out in this way, would you support or oppose the idea of bringing the Olympic Games to Massachusetts in 2024?
To that question, 51 percent supported Boston 2024, with opposition sliding down to only 37 percent.
It’s a revealing statistic, contrasting greatly with the original question that indicated a lack of support. Essentially, it showcases the clearcut divide in public opinion as determined by Boston 2024’s bid plan and not necessarily the idea of the Olympics itself.
Given that the “2.0 bid” plan is due to be released on June 30, the way forward for Boston 2024 now seems clear. As they are attempting to build a majority backing, spreading the venues would be the obvious and logical step.
The bid has already announced the first venue change, with sailing being moved from Boston Harbor to Buzzards Bay in New Bedford. This meshes with the polling data, especially considering that southeastern Massachusetts is the region of the state that supports the bid the most if given some venues in their area.
According to Steve Koczela, whose MassINC Polling Group oversaw the poll for WBUR, 66 percent of the region would support Boston 2024 (and only 25 percent would oppose) if venues were spread more across the state.
While the “walkable” notion was a novel concept, the political necessities determined by the poll may continue to push Boston 2024 into a new direction. As recently as last week, the bid was still resistant to the idea of letting go of the “walkable” concept altogether, with Boston 2024 chief operating officer Erin Murphy issuing a statement saying:
The proposal for sailing in New Bedford was a reflection of listening: to communities, elected officials and athletes. We fully intend to adhere to our core mission of delivering a walkable, sustainable and public transit-oriented Games. The vast majority of the venues in our revised plan will be within a short radius of downtown Boston. For some events, like sailing, the best location will be in other communities around Massachusetts. New Bedford is a perfect example and we can’t imagine a better place for Olympic sailing.
In the face of the new data, however, revisiting this idea could determine the bid’s ultimate fate in the public referendum on the issue.
