A Tall Controversy Brewing

Boiled down, the message seems to be, “Come to Boston…in small groups.”

In preparation for this summer’s Tall Ships festival, Boston city officials have delivered a bill for $1.1 million to non-profit Sail Boston organizers to cover safety and security measures for the event, slated to take place July 8-12. The last time the ships sailed through Boston in 2000, they attracted thousands of visitors and delivered an estimated $1.6 million bill for cleanup costs to the city.

To cover some of the costs, event organizers had already agreed to charge admission for the first time and to scale back this year’s event. Sail Boston expects roughly 30,000 visitors each day. That’s fewer people than the 37,000 or so who pack Fenway Park on a nightly basis. Yet, Boston is asking for $325,500 to cover police costs, $194,800 for emergency medical services, and even a $225,000 contingency fee as parts of the estimated cost for this summer’s festival.

There is plenty to be said for Boston seeking reimbursement, particularly in our present economic landscape. Sail Boston organizers are still hoping that the state will come through with funding, but in the meantime face a hefty charge from Boston. With all tax revenue generated by the event going to the state, Mayor Menino and company have the right to wonder, “What’s in it for us?”

But for a city that thrives on summer tourism dollars, the Menino administration’s treatment of the Tall Ships festival seems foolhardy. If the costs for world-class events like the Tall Ships become prohibitive, how many more in the future will resolve not to arrive on Boston’s shores? To reduce crowds, Menino has already requested the ships arrive in the harbor at night, one at a time, by engine. You have to ask what the point is of such a grand event when it has been reduced to essentially sneaking in the back door so not to spark attention.

Photo © Sail Boston