Mayor Walsh Announces Office of Olympic Planning

BOSTON - April 17, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the establishment of the Office of Olympic Planning and appointment of Executive Director Sara Myerson. The Office of Olympic Planning will focus on the development of the City of Boston's plans and policy as potential hosts for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The Office of Olympic Planning is an important step forward in this process and it will build a bridge between the City's planning and the development of the Olympic proposal," Mayor Walsh said. "Sara Myerson brings incredible experience to the table with a background in affordable housing, finance and urban planning and I am very excited to have her eyes on this process. Her top priority will be to ensure that Boston will benefit in the long-term from holding the Games and that any planning efforts are in line with the City's overall goals."

Projects that will fall under the Office of Olympic Planning will include economic analysis, mitigation analysis, public health and safety studies, and transportation planning. The Office will work collaboratively with Boston 2024 and the United States Olympic Committee. Costs associated with the Office of Olympic Planning will be reimbursed to the City of Boston by Boston 2024.

“This is an important step in our mutual efforts to leave a lasting legacy for the City of Boston, and align with broader planning goals for the future," said Rich Davey, CEO of Boston2024. "Our partnership with the city and our collaborative planning with Sara strengthens our Bid and reflects the truly transformative experience we can deliver for Boston and for the Olympic movement." Myerson most recently served as Chief of Staff and Director of Policy at Preservation of Aff

ordable Housing in Boston, which owns and operates nearly 8,500 affordable housing rental homes throughout the country. Prior, she was a Senior Analyst at HR&A Advisors, Inc. where she advised clients on the economics of complex public-private development initiatives. In addition, Myerson served as an Associate in the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs and also spent time as an Analyst in their Merchant Banking Division and Investment Banking Division. Myerson holds a Master in Urban Planning from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College. Myerson will start on April 27, 2015.

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