Intelligencer

Bloomberg's Triathalon

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By Kate Pickert
Published May 21, 2005

The mayor has brought us two of the largest events in the city’s history—the Republican National Convention and The Gates. But he’s not done yet: With a major push under way for the no-holds-barred extravaganza that is the Olympics, we estimated the impact, economic and otherwise, of Bloomberg’s attempts to turn New York into “the world’s second home.”

The RNC
Tourists
At least 200,000, including protesters.

Cost to the City
The bill came to $7.8 million, but the Republican Party donated its $4 million convention surplus to the city.

Economic Activity
Bloomberg claims $255 million.

Biggest Beneficiaries
Hotels, which saw occupancy jump from 74 to 87 percent that week.

Disruption Factor
Rerouted bus lanes, skipped subway stops, and midtown security checks.

Pleasure Factor
According to a Marist poll, 53 percent of New Yorkers wish the convention hadn’t come to town.

The Gates
Tourists
200,000 extra city visitors in February.

Cost to the City
Zero. Plus, the artists are donating $3 million to the Central Park Conservancy.

Economic Activity
$80 million, according to the city’s Economic Development Corporation.

Biggest Beneficiaries
Hot-dog vendors, hansom-cab drivers, and hotels, especially the Carlyle, which charged $6,000 for a two-hour cocktail party in a park-view suite.

Disruption Factor
Clogged Central Park pathways.

Pleasure Factor
General joy, notwithstanding a few grumpy art critics.

The Olympics
Tourists
Unknown, but Atlanta attracted 3 million spectators in 1996.

Cost to the City
Portions of the $250 million city-state pledge and the $600 million public contribution for the stadium. At least.

Economic Activity
NYC2012 expects the Games to generate $12 billion.

Biggest Beneficiaries
Brooklyn, with a revitalized waterfront, and Queens, with an Olympic Village that will convert to a permanent housing development. Plus, the Jets with a new home.

Disruption Factor
Hordes of visitors trying to get from the white-water park in Queens to the volleyball arena in Jersey.

Pleasure Factor
Yet to be determined, but the West Side stadium fight is already a great spectator sport.