NEW YORK | Amazon - Long Island City | CANCELED

[vandelay]

Those Anable Basin photos show a lot of promise. Prime waterfront real estate and broken down lowrises. Whenever people talk about how there's no more room for development in NYC you have to laugh. You can build an entire new city in Hunters Point itself, let alone LIC.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by vandelay

Those Anable Basin photos show a lot of promise. Prime waterfront real estate and broken down lowrises. Whenever people talk about how there's no more room for development in NYC you have to laugh. You can build an entire new city in Hunters Point itself, let alone LIC.

And that doesn't take into account Sunnyside Yards.

Manhattan may be running out of space for massive developments, but it's a big city. And officials are smart to push for development here, outside the world of glossy Manhattan.

I may not agree with everything Robert Moses did, but he understood one thing - there will always be critics. Like it or not, it's what enabled him to get a lot of things built. In New York, you expect NIMBYism for even the smallest of projects. This one will be massive. Cities and states were jumping over themselves to land this, and for good reason. The NIMBYs opposition here will be noted. When the massive WTC was proposed, they wanted to stop that too. At the very least, they will provide entertainment here, over what could be a yearlong process.

[NYguy]

https://www.citylab.com/life/2018/11...nyc-dc/576691/

Amazon’s HQ2 Search Was About Specialized Talent

RICHARD FLORIDA
NOV 29, 2018

When Amazon chose Long Island City in Queens, New York, and Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, as the sites between which to split the company’s second headquarters, I kept hearing that the choice was all about talent. Or, according to the title of an analysis from Brookings: “talent, talent, talent.”

Of course it was about talent. To be more precise, the company made its decision by selecting locations with specialized kinds of talent that meet certain needs.

What’s critical is that Amazon gets very different kinds of talent between New York City and the D.C. metro area. New York is a center for global finance and the headquarters of many international companies; it’s also a media center and budding tech hub. New York is the place to be for global management talent.

What’s critical is that Amazon gets very different kinds of talent between New York City and the D.C. metro area. New York is a center for global finance and the headquarters of many international companies; it’s also a media center and budding tech hub. New York is the place to be for global management talent. As Stacy Mitchell put it in an article for The Nation, Amazon’s ambition spans more than a single market; its aim is to become a “radically new kind of monopoly with ambitions that dwarf those of earlier empires.” With that in mind, it’s easy to imagine why Amazon would want to attract the best talent in management. Jeff Bezos wants Amazon to dominate, and he needs great managers for that.

Tech talent is easy to recruit to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. But this kind of talent is not: it knows it needs to stay in the kind of network that only New York and London have to offer. (Economic geographers identify London and New York as the only two “Alpha Plus” cities in the world.) For Amazon to attract the kinds of global executive talent it needs to grow to the next level, it simply has to be in New York.

Crystal City, in the D.C. metro area, puts Amazon closer to tech talent, but also to government leaders, cloud customers, and the U.S. Department of Defense. If New York has long attracted the best and the brightest financial, marketing, advertising and headquarters talent, D.C. has long attracted the upper reaches of America’s and the world’s political and policy class. A whole host of metros offer deeper pools of tech talent than D.C., including Seattle. A D.C. headquarters is about getting access to the kind of global political talent that has long gravitated to and is ensconced in Washington.

[NYguy]

https://qns.com/story/2018/12/03/kat...nsions-queens/

Katz calls on Amazon to front cost of BQX streetcar and other mass transit expansions in Queens





By Mark Hallum
December 3, 2018

With Amazon heading to Long Island City to establish part of its second headquarters (HQ2), Borough President Melinda Katz said on Monday that the trillion-dollar corporation should pay for the proposed Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX) and other transit improvements in the neighborhood.

The BQX, a streetcar proposal from the de Blasio administration, would link the tech hubs of Brooklyn and Queens by an 11 mile north-south route along the waterfront at the same rate as a subway fare. Estimates for the BQX come in at around $2.7 billion.

“A substantial and meaningful investment by Amazon that helps ensure the feasibility of [BQX] would be a fair investment into its new home, and a welcome opportunity for a good corporate neighbor to directly benefit the existing, impacted communities of Western Queens,” Katz said. “The company and the public sector must work together to make investments in necessary transit improvements that will support Queens residents.”

Katz added that in order for Amazon to establish itself “equitably” in Queens, the BQX should offer free transfers to the 13 subway lines to which it would connect.

One community concern since the unveiling of the BQX proposal was the loss of street parking that would be incurred from taking away a lane of traffic for the streetcar route. To address this, Katz suggested that the city heavily invest in alternative municipal parking options.

Katz also said fulfilling these transit needs with the addition of Amazon would bring the borough closer to realizing the Western Queens Tech Strategic Plan.

Simply known as the “Tech Plan,” this aims to provide low-income, especially the approximately 11,000 NYCHA residents of western Queens, with the skills necessary to get tech jobs in the growing industry of the East River waterfront.

https://www.metro.us/news/local-news...res-amazon-bqx

Queens borough pres calls on Amazon to pay for Brooklyn-Queens Connector
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz supports Amazon HQ2 in Queens, but said the company should help fix infrastructure.





By Kristin Toussaint
December 03, 2018

Katz on Monday called for Amazon to pay for the construction of the Queens-Brooklyn Connector (QBX), also called the Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX).

The BQX is expected to stretch 16 miles, from Sunset Park, Brooklyn to Astoria, Queens, Mayor Bill de Blasio detailed back in 2016.

But the streetcar between the two outer boroughs isn’t progressing as expected. As a soon-to-be member of the Queens community, Amazon should step up, Katz said.

The connector should also include a free transfer to MTA subways and buses and reduced ‘Fair Fares’ for lower-income New Yorkers, according to Katz. But since subways can still easily become overcrowded when Amazon HQ2 moves into Queens, she added that the Long Island City and Hunterspoint Avenue LIRR stations should become “full-time stations with enhanced service.”

But activists against Amazon HQ2 in Queens have some issues with Katz's ideas. In a No To Amazon in NYC Facebook group, one member said that Queens residents fought against the BQX "not because of the cost, but because of the displacement it would lead to," meaning Katz's suggestion that Amazon cover the bill isn't a solution to other community concerns.

"A private company paying for a public use transit line is asking for unregulated fares," the post continued. "The city can hardly manage it's current transit systems without a complete shit show of delays and train traffic. This is a prime example of how out of touch politicians are about these issues."

[Busy Bee]

Displacement? What the f### are these people on?

[tdawg]

There was a tour group walking by Anable Basin over the weekend, snapping photos and all. 🧐

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Displacement? What the f### are these people on?

They're against everything. You know, for all of the problems with the subway, if the city or state decided to build an entire new line through the area, they would be up in arms about that, the same way people bitched about the 2nd Ave subway construction. I think it's the reason Cuomo is going with the Airtrain extension to LaGuardia that he is, instead of doing a more direct subway extension.

Originally Posted by tdawg

There was a tour group walking by Anable Basin over the weekend, snapping photos and all. 🧐

I've also read that real estate agents were doing tours of the area for investors.

[tdawg]

That makes more sense. Thanks NYguy.

[NYguy]

The condo developers are happy...


https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLBPeIleev/


















https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq-0R1Gn0ks/

[NYguy]

Nothing shocking here...


https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...e-poll-n944511

Amazon's HQ2 deal makes most New Yorkers smile, poll finds
A separate poll from Morning Consult released Tuesday named Amazon the company "Americans love the most," with a net favorability rating of 79 percent.





Dec. 5, 2018
By Dareh Gregorian

Despite criticism from politicians and protests from some vocal locals, most New Yorkers are in favor of a deal to bring Amazon's new headquarters to the city, according to a new poll.

The Quinnipiac University poll found 57 percent of registered New York City voters approve of the controversial deal while 26 percent disapprove.

The deal is even more popular in the borough of Queens, where the internet retail giant's HQ2 will be located. Sixty percent of voters there are in favor of the deal, while 26 percent are opposed, the poll found.

The poll also determined that voters are well acquainted with the company — more than 70 percent of those surveyed use it.

The Quinnipiac poll also shows New Yorkers giving the benefit of the doubt to Amazon. Despite opponents' worries that the Amazon deal will lead to a housing shortage and more crowded subways, 54 percent of voters say they don't have any concerns about the company's move to Long Island City, Queens.

But New Yorkers did have concerns with some of the details of the deal — in particular the agreement's architects, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The deal, which is expected to lead to more than 40,000 jobs and $27 billion in tax revenue over the next 25 years, includes $3 billion in tax breaks and incentives, and gives most of the control of the project to the state.

"While New Yorkers give the thumbs up to Amazon moving one of its new headquarters to Long Island City, they are divided over the sizeable carrot offered" to the company, said Quinnipiac poll analyst Mary Snow.

The poll showed 46 percent of voters in favor of the incentives, with 44 percent opposed. A vast majority of respondents — 79 percent — say the city should have more input in the project.

Opponents of the deal were unmoved.

"This Quinnipiac poll means nothing," Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, said. "The reality is that opposition to this terrible Amazon HQ2 deal for New York City continues to grow by leaps and bounds."

Jonathan Westin, executive director of New York Communities for Change, offered an even stronger rebuke.

"This poll is trash and should be thrown away with the rest of today's garbage," Westin said. "We know that the level of anger toward Amazon and the HQ2 deal is intensifying and spreading."

I love that last part. Who gets angry at a poll? If the poll had gone the other way, I'm sure he'd be all for it.






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[NYguy]

https://www.citylab.com/life/2018/12...queens/577453/

What New Yorkers Really Think of Amazon HQ2





SARAH HOLDER
December 06, 2018

More than half of New Yorkers view Amazon’s plan to open a headquarters in Long Island City, Queens, in 2019 as a blessing, not a curse. That’s according to a new poll from Quinnipiac University, which surveyed more than 1,000 people registered to vote in New York City from all five boroughs between November 27 and December 4. Perhaps more surprising to the many vocal opponents of the Amazon selection process: Only 26 percent of those surveyed disapprove of the project.

People were more evenly split on the question of whether Amazon should be receiving the tax incentives—nearly $3 billion of them—that the city and state offered to lure the company, with 46 percent in favor and 44 percent opposed.

By borough, residents of the Bronx—a predominately Hispanic area—were most excited about the move, with 64 percent approval and 21 percent disapproval, for a net approval of +43 percent. It’s nearly as popular in Staten Island. Queens, whose population is almost half foreign-born, and which will actually absorb the physical Amazon office space, was also enthusiastic—even about the subsidies. Manhattan residents were most skeptical, with only 54 percent supporting the move and a net disapproval of the subsidies of minus 15 percent.

That geographic breakdown may mirror where the benefits of Amazon jobs and economic bump could be most powerful—at least if Amazon finds ways to hire the local residents who need the jobs most. Manhattan’s unemployment rate was a low 3.5 percent in October, its Wall Street-driven economy is flush, and its residents make a median income of $75,000, meaning residents there, arguably, have the least to gain. Queens’ unemployment rate is lower even than Manhattan’s, at 3.4 percent, but the median income there is about $60,000. And the Bronx, which enthusiastically supports the deal, has the highest unemployment rate of the five boroughs at 5.4 percent.

[NYguy]

This drive around gives a good look at LIC in general, how it's changing. I find it interesting. We could be looking at a stadium sized population in jobs from Amazon alone moving to LIC in the next 10 - 15 years. I would like to see the area become a focal point of Queens, not in terms of buidings. But in terms of being a destination of its own.



• Video Link



A walk if you prefer...


• Video Link

[chris08876]

Queens I feel is a very underrated borough (my 2nd favorite, IMO). I hope this perception changes, and the 2nd LIC boom further makes it an even greater power destination. The creation of a city within a city. Whats been going on here, in the last 4 years, and in the next 5-10 years has been and will be profound in nature.

The real change in NY is not in Manhattan, but Queens and in the Bronx!

The prospect of an even greater tech scene based in Queens is exciting, and will provide numerous benefits as other key sectors reap the synergistic benefits.

Symbiosis!!!

[NYguy]

I'm also a little partial to Queens. Even though I was born in Brooklyn, Queens was a childhood home. So much of my point of view comes from that. Over the years though, I've lived in 4 of 5 boroughs (sorry Staten Island), and each has a special place, but I'm excited for Queens to get this, regardless of who is building it. It would be massive even in Manhattan. For Queens its HUGE.

[tdawg]

Hunters Point is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city and its flown under the radar up to this point. I hope it doesn't lose too much of its character.

[JMKeynes]

Originally Posted by chris08876

Queens I feel is a very underrated borough...

Prince Akeem Joffer of Zamunda didn't think so. In fact, he deemed it apropos for royalty.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by tdawg

Hunters Point is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city and its flown under the radar up to this point. I hope it doesn't lose too much of its character.

I think that regardless of whether or not Amazon was coming in, LIC in general would see more changes. It all depends on what's being built, and where. The city has been trying to make it happen for a long time. But that doesn't mean the people who are there, and have been there need to be pushed out.

[mousquet]

Originally Posted by NYguy

Katz calls on Amazon to front cost of BQX streetcar and other mass transit expansions in Queens

Notice that these light-rail cars would most likely be manufactured locally.
If I'm not mistaking, they look like Alstom customized light-rail trains, the same as our large fleet over here, but customized, which is very important to have something looking unique in one's town; and I'm sure they have a facility to manufacture their vehicles in NY state, somewhere quite a bit remote from NYC itself, where the economy may still be slower.

I'm not claiming this would be any locally engineered stuff. They would only assemble their trains over there. Most big added-value jobs in this business are still located in my country.
However, if they purchased some more over there, well, there surely could be some cool sharing and opportunities in this very nice industry in NY as well, aside from manufacturing occupations.

[Busy Bee]

^ The prototype they are pitching is the same styling model that is currently in use in Nice, which is the Alstom Citadis 405. If and when the BQX is constructed it could be equally likely they stay with this model or customize the body for the project, either way it is a very good sign that the minds behind this project are valuing good design.

The mock-up of a section of the tramcar:


_


Nice:


_

[NYguy]

It would be in Amazon's interest to help push the BQX forward, and maybe help finance it since they are building such a large campus. A contribution at least to the cost. But as far as footing the entire bill, I would say there are more interests than just Amazon's that would benefit, all along the route.

At the same time, I think Amaxon should have a ferry system, or subsidize additional ferry service since the campus will be directly on the river. All of it will help alleviate existing concerns about overcrowding the subways (which will remain crowded regardless).