A global consulting firm based in Cambridge has been chosen by Gov. Charlie Baker and legislative leaders to review the financing, infrastructure needs and potential economic impact from 2024 summer Olympics.
As state leaders continue to weigh the prospect of hosting the games, Baker’s office on Monday announced the hiring of The Brattle Group to complete an analysis of Boston 2024 bid by mid-August.
The firm was chosen in consultation with House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg. The contract – not to exceed $250,000 – will be paid for through the governor’s office and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
“Hosting the Olympic Games is an opportunity to showcase to the world what makes Massachusetts great and as the process continues, having a robust analysis of this massive undertaking will be extremely helpful in ensuring transparency and protections for taxpayers,” Baker said in a statement. “We look forward to this work and the ability of the Massachusetts public to review Boston 2024’s plans when they become available in the coming weeks.”
The governor and others have expressed frustration in recent weeks with the lack of detail available from Boston 2024 surrounding their bid, and the host committee has indicated that a more complete venue and financing plan will be available to the public later in June.
The three leaders issued a request for proposals to hire an independent firm to help review the Olympic bid back in March. The Brattle Group’s review will include a financial evaluation, economic impacts, funding mechanisms, insurance requirements, necessary infrastructure investments and the responsibilities of the Commonwealth and taxpayers protections.
The Cambridge-based firm, which has offices in New York, San Francisco, Washington, London, Madrid and Rome, will be assisted by financial reporting and accounting experts from Floyd Advisory LLC.