Amazon HQ2

[Uffda]

Interesting video especially at about 1:00 when it gives some of the things states/cities wanted to give amazon. I think part of the video is right on that companies like Amazon know where they want to end up so thy ‘play’ the cities. Also once one company gets a good deal others are wanting the same deal.

[RockHarbor]

Funny, I met recently a guy that grew up in Seattle, and worked for Microsoft most of his life. But, he interviewed with AMAZON when it had only 6 people in the office, and there were homeless druggies right outside the small office, in a rougher section of downtown. Can you believe the transformation from that to this glistening & sharp headquarters? Some of those Seattle businesses, and the way they have grown & thrived from their humble start, is staggering...

[iamjacobm]

Now reports they are pulling the plug on the NYC location after the opposition they received there.

[iamjacobm]

https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-ne ... adquarters

After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens. For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term. While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.

We are disappointed to have reached this conclusion—we love New York, its incomparable dynamism, people, and culture—and particularly the community of Long Island City, where we have gotten to know so many optimistic, forward-leaning community leaders, small business owners, and residents. There are currently over 5,000 Amazon employees in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and we plan to continue growing these teams.

We are deeply grateful to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and their staffs, who so enthusiastically and graciously invited us to build in New York City and supported us during the process. Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have worked tirelessly on behalf of New Yorkers to encourage local investment and job creation, and we can’t speak positively enough about all their efforts. The steadfast commitment and dedication that these leaders have demonstrated to the communities they represent inspired us from the very beginning and is one of the big reasons our decision was so difficult.

We do not intend to reopen the HQ2 search at this time. We will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville, and we will continue to hire and grow across our 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the U.S. and Canada.

[bigredmed1]

https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-ne ... adquarters

After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens. For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term. While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.

We are disappointed to have reached this conclusion—we love New York, its incomparable dynamism, people, and culture—and particularly the community of Long Island City, where we have gotten to know so many optimistic, forward-leaning community leaders, small business owners, and residents. There are currently over 5,000 Amazon employees in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and we plan to continue growing these teams.

We are deeply grateful to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and their staffs, who so enthusiastically and graciously invited us to build in New York City and supported us during the process. Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have worked tirelessly on behalf of New Yorkers to encourage local investment and job creation, and we can’t speak positively enough about all their efforts. The steadfast commitment and dedication that these leaders have demonstrated to the communities they represent inspired us from the very beginning and is one of the big reasons our decision was so difficult.

We do not intend to reopen the HQ2 search at this time. We will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville, and we will continue to hire and grow across our 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the U.S. and Canada.

If 70% of NYC residents, the local leaders and the mayor and governor were all so great to them, then why leave? Something smells funny here.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-ne ... adquarters

After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens. For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term. While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.

We are disappointed to have reached this conclusion—we love New York, its incomparable dynamism, people, and culture—and particularly the community of Long Island City, where we have gotten to know so many optimistic, forward-leaning community leaders, small business owners, and residents. There are currently over 5,000 Amazon employees in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, and we plan to continue growing these teams.

We are deeply grateful to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and their staffs, who so enthusiastically and graciously invited us to build in New York City and supported us during the process. Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio have worked tirelessly on behalf of New Yorkers to encourage local investment and job creation, and we can’t speak positively enough about all their efforts. The steadfast commitment and dedication that these leaders have demonstrated to the communities they represent inspired us from the very beginning and is one of the big reasons our decision was so difficult.

We do not intend to reopen the HQ2 search at this time. We will proceed as planned in Northern Virginia and Nashville, and we will continue to hire and grow across our 17 corporate offices and tech hubs in the U.S. and Canada.

If 70% of NYC residents, the local leaders and the mayor and governor were all so great to them, then why leave? Something smells funny here.

Grassroots neighborhood efforts to keep them and their tax avoiding, public money taking, gentrifying bullshit out of Queens. The funny smelling part was how much money they were supposed to receive compared their financial needs and job benefits provided.

[Bob from Omaha]

As with everything there is much more to the story.

[Omababe]

Now reports they are pulling the plug on the NYC location after the opposition they received there.

Lotsa community pushback!

Overall, NYC residents tended to be for it, but those in the immediate area were up in arms due to skyrocketing rental rates and such.

The place was to be strictly non-union, which did not go well. Also, when examined closely, the claims of {so many} thousand six-figure jobs did not hold up to scrutiny.

Quite a few other factors.

[Greg S]

Now reports they are pulling the plug on the NYC location after the opposition they received there.

Lotsa community pushback!

Overall, NYC residents tended to be for it, but those in the immediate area were up in arms due to skyrocketing rental rates and such.

The place was to be strictly non-union, which did not go well. Also, when examined closely, the claims of {so many} thousand six-figure jobs did not hold up to scrutiny.

Quite a few other factors.

They were interviewing some of the local business owners last night and they were pretty upset with the decision. Sounds like the construction unions are furious this was lost as well. Salaries are pretty high in NYC so I can't imagine they would be too far under 6 figures.

Greg

[Garrett]

It had around 50/50 support in the city, but that varied wildly across the 5 boroughs. Opposition in Queens was huge, and one of the main politicians opposed to it was named the head of a key oversight committee. Also suspect how they haven’t named a replacement and have indicated that they aren’t going to.

[Omababe]

They were interviewing some of the local business owners last night and they were pretty upset with the decision. Sounds like the construction unions are furious this was lost as well. Salaries are pretty high in NYC so I can't imagine they would be too far under 6 figures.

Union supporters seemed to be divided. On one hand, construction and build-out would be mostly union, but permanent jobs would be not.

Some are saying that yes, six figure jobs would have been common, but others say that the majority of employees would be lower-level clerical types and service/support people earning well under that level.

Skyrocketing rent is the concern I've personally heard most.

From a purely selfish perspective, when I travel to NYC on my own dime, I almost always stay in one of the "usual suspect" hotels in the LIC area, which tend to be priced less than half of decent places in Manhattan, and I was afraid that would come to an end with similar rate hikes.

[RockHarbor]

I can understand the opposition there. I love Amazon, but these companies can undermine an entire city in a way (its costs, culture, quality of life, all in the name of "new jobs!"). These "skyrocketing rents" when Amazon or Apple or Google (ect) move in have got to stop, imo. When I was growing up, there was no such company that would have that affect on an entire metro area, making much of the city shudder. There have always been high-paying careers around (doctors, lawyers, ect), and that didnt drive up ALL the prices -- those people simply lived in the fanciest, high-end units in town, while others didnt. Why cant it be the same for the Google/Apple/Amazon workers?! I almost think its all done on purpose -- or something. Its all so goofy & silly & bonkers, imo. (Also, do these companies just drive up rents, or is all real estate totally driven up in an area, too? Im assuming both -- of course.) I honestly think the selfishness & greed of rental properties driving up rents to reach deeper into wallets is partially to blame, too. Ive talked to a very rich woman before, who had "friends in high places" and was neighbors with wealthy people behind famous chains, and they always owned rental properties, and they were always taking care of their own buildings in person, and they always kept rent reasonable for people. They really cared about people and being decent people themselves, and being generous. Its like a choice...even if you're wealthy.

[schumatt]

From a purely selfish perspective, when I travel to NYC on my own dime, I almost always stay in one of the "usual suspect" hotels in the LIC area, which tend to be priced less than half of decent places in Manhattan, and I was afraid that would come to an end with similar rate hikes.

Any chance that "usual suspect" LIC hotel is a certain Hilton brand with a red flower logo? If so, that's my go-to for New York, too! I was also worried HQ2 would ruin my favorite hotel in the Big Apple!

[daveoma]

I think that a company that makes billions in profits doesn't need to be paid by taxpayers. If anything, they should be paying MORE in taxes. I totally understand the citizens that were opposed. That money could've gone elsewhere.

In Nevada something similar happened with the raiders stadium. Lawmakers took money from education and have to people who were already wealthy. The state legislatures promptly turned over after that decision.

[Omababe]

Any chance that "usual suspect" LIC hotel is a certain Hilton brand with a red flower logo? If so, that's my go-to for New York, too! I was also worried HQ2 would ruin my favorite hotel in the Big Apple!

LOL, you mean the HGI at Queens Plaza? That's probably one of the best kept secrets in NYC!

I've also done the Best Western over by Queensbridge, which is not bad at all, and the Days Inn just west of the 33rd/Rawson station, which is very "ok" if the better ones are sold out. There are several others in the area.

[RockHarbor]

Man, they are having problems here & there. First, there was that roof collapse at an Amazon location in the east. Now, one of their cargo planes went down off TX -- I believe. I just saw the news...

[Doctor Fate]

Not part of HQ2 but 800 tech jobs going to Austin, TX.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.c ... ustin.html

[RockHarbor]

Oh, goodie... Austin is gonna be even more a "Kewl City" now.

[daveoma]

Oh, goodie... Austin is gonna be even more a "Kewl City" now.

Yeah it's kind of aggravating that those jobs are going to a city that already has a booming economy.

[RockHarbor]

Oh, goodie... Austin is gonna be even more a "Kewl City" now.

Yeah it's kind of aggravating that those jobs are going to a city that already has a booming economy.

The city is certainly on a "winning streak" in recent decades. Good for Austin. I can understand the hype. It is a likable town. Its almost like a yahoo, giddy-up "Nashville" without all the country music scene stuff -- plus its high-tech. I wonder how long it will be until things shift to a new town?

By the way, I dont feel there is anymore "talent" there than any other major city. (I dont like that word for the corporate world. I like "job skills.")

[Brad]

Interesting Building:

Amazon unveils design for ‘Helix’ office building at HQ2 — here’s what it will look like

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/02/amazon- ... ages-.html

The standout feature of the design proposal for HQ2 includes a unique structure, dubbed “The Helix.” Amazon described the 350-foot-tall office tower as a “spiraling vertical forest” that features outdoor walkways with trees and plants that twist up to the top of the building.

[ricko]

Used to work in an office building within shouting distance of this project. The neighborhood needs all the green space it can get, but it will be used almost exclusively by the people who work and live there (and good for them). "Crystal City" is a very large but sterile office park/apartment/condo/hotel neighborhood.