Boston’s pursuit to host the 2024 Olympic Games proved to be one of the more polarizing topics of discussion in recent memory. People drew lines in the sand, often refusing to give ground but also for the most part willing to engage in constructive conversations to outline the pros and cons of winning the bid.

For these three millennials deeply embedded in Boston’s real estate and development scene, the USOC’s decision to pull its support for a Boston bid was a disappointing transpiration of events.

It should come as no real surprise, however. Based on the latest poll of support (or lack thereof) for the bid, Boston’s 18 to 29 age group demographic viewed Boston 2024 more favorably than any other – though it’s important to note this applies to just 32 percent.

But with substantial insight on the city’s past and current state of development, and with the authority to speculate on future projects as well, this trio thinks we missed out on a tremendous opportunity.

Marc Savatsky – Development Project Manager, New Boston Ventures

I was disappointed to see the Olympic bid pulled.  Aside from the obvious benefits in the form of new housing, improved infrastructure and attention to smart urban planning, I think the Olympics would have offered the local real estate and development economy some insulation from the cyclical nature of our business.  Boston 2024 represented a confidence and insurance of sorts that the city would continue to enjoy strong growth underpinning real estate values and job opportunities.  Nonetheless, I’m hopeful that the conversation which was started will prove beneficial and that the City can capitalize on these opportunities with or without the Olympics.

Matthew Wells – Senior Associate, Tremont Interiors

Personally, I’m disappointed, I think we’ve missed a real opportunity for the City. Far from a silver bullet, I think the Olympics would have simply been a catalyst for so much of the development and transformation that this City needs. Having said that, I am optimistic that we can emerge from the fallout of the failed bid and reach many of those same goals. The bid identified neighborhoods and development opportunities that may have taken years to uncover, if ever. I think in much the same way that New York benefitted from their failed bid, albeit much farther along, we can reap some of those same rewards.

 

Our greatest asset at this point is our leadership. The mayor demonstrated true stewardship, most recently with his refusal to sign the USOC guarantee, but more importantly, on the front end with his advocacy for the concept of doing something bold. Bid or no bid, it demonstrates that he is committed to big ideas and to moving our City forward, while at the same time refusing to be reckless. Playing the role of pessimistic Bostonian, I just hope that the electorate can push past the cynicism and get behind new ideas, new projects and the general concept of progress.

John Hynes – Project Manager, Boston Global Investors

There’s no understating my disappointment in us losing the Olympic bid – and my first thought is to wish all the staff at Boston 2024 the best of luck going forward. With the bid in the spotlight, the past seven months were a wild ride for our town, and I’m going to miss being a part of it going forward.

 

I really only hope that Boston doesn’t crawl back into its shell. That we keep having some of those great debates on taxes, on traffic, on the T, and untapped neighborhoods. The fact that our town can’t handle any more traffic is not an excuse to stop expanding. It’s evidence that we need to get better.

 

I think the Mayor made the right move when he essentially told the USOC to pound sand for trying to get him to sign a contract before the Brattle Group report was released in September. But I don’t think the No Boston Olympics activists are heroes here; just that the USOC and the IOC come off as the villains. The bid might be over, but we shouldn’t let this opportunity slide to light a fire under our politicians’ asses and put our existing taxes to work for the improvements that everyone already agrees on. John Fish is my former boss, and he has a great saying that “winning isn’t normal.”  In this particular case I disagree with him. For the City of Boston, losing isn’t normal.