INDYCAR's Grand Prix of Boston got an important boost Thursday as organizers signed and executed license agreements and a memorandum of understanding with five key governmental agencies to accelerate progress on the Labor Day weekend event.
The documents, signed by the city of Boston, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, and an existing MOU signed by the Massachusetts Port Authority include many conditions and protections, with guarantees that organizers will assume all costs associated with the race, asking nothing from taxpayers.
The documents also guarantee that streets and roadways being modified to create the 2.25-mile street course through Boston's Seaport district will be returned to similar or better condition after the event. The track build for the Sept. 4 race is expected to start May 1, with teardown expected to be completed by November.
Contingencies regarding unforeseen costs have also been agreed to should the event fail to take place.
"Today's result is the culmination of a lot of hard work, coordination and leadership from all of the agencies involved, and we would like to thank Governor [Charlie] Baker's office, Mayor [Martin] Walsh's office and all of the city and state agencies and people who worked hard to get this done, with a high level of collaboration," Grand Prix of Boston president John Casey said in a statement. "We have gotten tremendous feedback from major sponsors, from race fans and soon to be race fans. There's a lot of excitement and anticipation of seeing the elite drivers race through the streets of Boston. We are confident that this race will add to our City's entertainment and tourism offerings."
Since its announcement in May, the Boston GP has been a political hot potato locally, with several citizen action groups working actively to stop the event from happening.
INDYCAR CEO Mark Miles remained bullish that the Labor Day weekend event can prosper like similar street course races in Long Beach, St. Petersburg and Toronto.
"For some time, we have believed that everything will be in place, the race will go on, and it will be a very successful event," Miles said. "There are countless boxes that have to be ticked, approvals that have to be gained from a number of government entities involved and a process to make sure that neighbors and businesses in the area are communicated with and all the right contingency plans for them are in place.
"But I think our guys are doing that, and I think we're going to be in good shape."