In the wind, a chance the public can view Tall Ships
State, city in talks about Sail Boston
By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff | June 9, 2009
Fans of the Sail Boston festival could get a chance to glimpse the Tall Ships when they arrive in Boston next month, under tentative plans hashed out yesterday by city and state officials.
Sail Boston officials had been planning to hold the event without public access to the piers where the ships will dock, bowing to pressure from Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who has said the city cannot afford the $1.1 million in public safety costs and other services for the five-day event.
But, in a sign that a deal may be in the works and that the city is softening its stance against the festival, state and city officials said they still hope to accommodate the public, if they can secure funding. They met to discuss where the ships could dock and where the public could view them.
"We're cautiously optimistic that there may be some money available and we want to make sure we're ready to go in case that does come to fruition," said Julie A. Burns, Boston's director of arts, tourism, and special events.
Tourism officials from Governor Deval Patrick's administration took part in the meeting.
"The administration is working with everyone involved to find alternative means that will allow the event - though scaled back - to be enjoyed by the general public," said Kyle Sullivan, a Patrick spokesman.
Part of a regatta that begins in Vigo, Spain, and ends in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Sail Boston was originally projected to attract 1 million spectators. The decision to close it to the public disappointed fans, as well as hotel and restaurant owners who were banking on the economic boost.
The event is planned for July 8-12 in Boston.
"If there were a way to accommodate the public that satisfied the city's very real public safety needs, that would be terrific," said Scott M. Ferson, a Sail Boston spokesman.
Michael Levenson can be reached at mlevenson@globe.com.
© Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
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