Conventions Not Big Cash-Makers for NY, Boston
Mikey strikes again.
The Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University in Boston estimated the Republican convention will generate $184 million in economic activity, or about one-third less than the $260 million forecast by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
About 48,000 visitors are expected at the Republican convention at Manhattan's Madison Square Garden from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. The study estimated the 4,800 delegates will each spend about $340 a day.
"Shrouding the convention is a veil of secrecy about how the mayor came up with his economic estimate and about security considerations that may ultimately force the closing of Pennsylvania Station and of roads in the vicinity of Madison Square Garden," study author John Barrett wrote.
So no one knows how Mikey derived his $260 million estimate. Excellent.
As for the potential closing of Penn Station, all I can say is "Duh"! Who didn't know that was a distinct possibility? And what will that ultimately cost the city in terms of lost business? One of the members of my staff commutes in from Long Island, which puts him into Penn Station to pick up the PATH train. He asked me several weeks ago if he could work from home the week of the convention. Of course, understanding how hideous the commute through Penn Station would be as a result of the necessary security, I told him yes. The firm for which I work is in the process of developing an overall policy for that week for people who commute in through Penn Station.
But it's even worse if you're from Boston.
Similar security arrangements in Boston for July's Democratic convention have caused much discontent. City officials recently said they would close major highways and commuter lines to protect the Fleet Center, an indoor sports arena above one of the city's main train stations.
The measures angered Bostonians because of the paralyzing impact they could have on local businesses and commuters.
The Suffolk University study found that the four-day event, originally touted as a way to attract money to Boston, will end up costing the city $34 million.
The security concerns in this day and age make hosting conventions in large cities just unpractical.
Comments
I think you should have advised your staff member of the many fine alternative travel routes to Hoboken he could use. For example, he could transfer at Jamaica to a train to Brooklyn, where he could transfer to the subway to lower Manhattan for PATH train service to Hoboken. Or at Jamaica he could transfer to a J train and take that directly into lower Manhattan for a transfer to the PATH train. Those are but 2 examples that would add only about an hour to his commute.
Soft. Very soft on your part.
Posted by: Transit Transit | May 29, 2004 09:57 AM
If it were me, I'd schedule my vacation for that week. When my sister lived in Louisville, she'd leave town during the Derby.
Posted by: Just John | May 29, 2004 12:59 PM
I know I'm getting out of Boston. It will be nuts.
Posted by: BSB | May 29, 2004 08:28 PM