IndyCar’s Boston Grand Prix will drive progress

Boston economic development chief John Barros (R) with Mark Perrone

Boston economic development chief John Barros said next year's Grand Prix in the Seaport District and the 2024 Olympic bid both can be development drivers – even in the planning stages – regardless of whether the city gets the games.

"We think that Boston is a world class city and deserves a world class stage," Barros said on Boston Herald Radio yesterday. "So in many ways the Grand Prix, like the Olympics, provides that kind of a venue, that kind of an event, that kind of an opportunity to say, ‘Hey, look at Boston, we're a great city, come and spend your money here, come and bring your businesses here, come and get talent here. Boston has a lot to showcase. We feel in that way the Olympics and the Grand Prix are related."

Barros noted the Grand Prix, slated for Labor Day weekend 2016, is expected to draw at least 250,000 spectators to Boston, with an anticipated economic impact of $75 million to $80 million. He said that on a weekend when many people leave, it can boost hotel occupancy rates.

Barros called the 2024 Olympics "a real big potential for Boston" – even if the city loses the bid, now faltering due to low public support, questions about taxpayer obligations and poor political moves.

"The Olympics needs to be an accelerator for where Boston wants to go," Barros said. "The mayor has asked us to put together a citywide comprehensive plan for 2030, the Imagine Boston 2030 plan. That's the real plan. That's the real bid in terms of us engaging as many residents as possible for a comprehensive plan that says here is where we want Boston to go. … It's a real opportunity to grow as a city and move things forward." Boston Herald