Amazon HQ2 thread

[brian_b]

Originally Posted by Northern Light

Why would it do this?

There are over 100,000 Americans living in Toronto right now.

And over 200,000 in Vancouver.

We have a much easier process for coming here for work temporarily; or permanently if your a skilled worker and speak English or French.

All of the tech jobs and many of the others would be covered under NAFTA (TN Visa). It goes in both directions. Show up at the border with your passport and job offer and you get in. I know a number of Canadians working in the US this way. It is literally that simple.

The only problem Amazon would have locating in Canada is that they lose easy access to the people in the US on various other visas, but there is no reason to think that Canada wouldn't be willing to accommodate them too.

[JManc]

This thread is like a who's who of local chambers of commerce preening over how well their respective areas' are shovel ready for the next big thing.

[Pedestrian]

Originally Posted by JManc

Who really cares where this HQ goes as long as I can order a bottle of shampoo, a box of protein bars and a table-saw at 2AM and have them all shipped to my front door the next day.

This woman and people like her care:

As digital giants swallow a growing share of shoppers’ spending, thousands of stores have closed and tens of thousands of workers have lost their jobs.

Belinda Duperre, who sold jewelry at Sam’s Club in Fall River, Mass., was one. In early 2016, the struggling store closed.

But Ms. Duperre, a lifelong resident of the once-thriving factory town an hour south of Boston, went from victim of the digital revolution to beneficiary. Amazon.com Inc. announced plans to hire 500 full-time workers for a new 1.2-million square foot fulfillment center on the outskirts of town. “I was just dying, waiting for Amazon to open,” she recalls. She was among the center’s first hires last fall; full-time employment has since soared to about 2,000.

Ms. Duperre earns $2 more per hour at Amazon than at Sam’s, in part because she’s a lot more productive. At Sam’s, she served perhaps one to 20 customers a day. At Amazon, she packs 75 to 120 boxes an hour that are then whisked via high-speed automated conveyor belts to fleets of trucks that fan out across the region.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/workers-fear-not-the-robot-apocalypse-1504631505

[Pedestrian]

^^

As Cities Look to Lure Amazon, Tax Breaks May Be Key
By Shayndi Raice
Sept. 7, 2017 4:05 p.m. ET

Amazon.com Inc.’s announcement Thursday that it’s on the hunt for a $5 billion second headquarters to house 50,000 employees sounded the starting pistol in a race among states and local governments to lure the Seattle-based giant to their cities.

Bids for the project are likely to feature hefty tax breaks, but critics caution that such deals are often a mixed bag.

Tax incentives for companies have soared in U.S. cities in recent decades. In 1990, tax breaks for a typical new facility were an average of 8.8% of gross state and local business taxes. That figure climbed to 30.1% in 2015, according to research conducted by Timothy Bartik, an economist with the Kalamazoo, Mich.-based W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.

Despite their popularity, these incentives can come with a variety of unintended costs for states, critics say, and don’t always pan out as expected . . . .

https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-cities-look-to-lure-amazon-tax-breaks-may-be-key-1504814719

What's your city willing to hand this giant corporation and its "wealthiest man alive" owner?

[ssiguy]

Detroit has no public transit to speak of so it won't happen. Chicago and Philly have good systems but one of the criteria was low crime and they are both VERY high crime rate cities. It will also be difficult for Chicago to claim they could get the workers when both the city and state are losing population. If you can't keep the labour force you already have then why would Amazon think they could get 50,000 new workers?

I don't think NYC has a chance. Technically it crosses all the boxes but NYC has a reputation of Wall Street which is what Amazon doesn't want. Claiming to be an innovative 21st century company and then becoming yet another old established Wall Street corporation doesn't elude the kind of difference with the old boys network that Amazon will be looking for.

For me it's {no order} Boston, Toronto, or Washington with Atlanta being a more distant 4th and then Dallas.

[dc_denizen]

^ I think you overstate the impact of crime in US cities. it's not that big of a factor outside of a few cities like Memphis and Detroit. DC has (or had) a high homicide rate, but it's highly localized and nobody working for Amazon is going to worried about it.

[SteveD]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Detroit has no public transit to speak of so it won't happen. Chicago and Philly have good systems but one of the criteria was low crime and they are both VERY high crime rate cities. It will also be difficult for Chicago to claim they could get the workers when both the city and state are losing population. If you can't keep the labour force you already have then why would Amazon think they could get 50,000 new workers?

I don't think NYC has a chance. Technically it crosses all the boxes but NYC has a reputation of Wall Street which is what Amazon doesn't want. Claiming to be an innovative 21st century company and then becoming yet another old established Wall Street corporation doesn't elude the kind of difference with the old boys network that Amazon will be looking for.

For me it's {no order} Boston, Toronto, or Washington with Atlanta being a more distant 4th and then Dallas.

Sounds reasonable but I'd add cost of living and salary structure is considerably lower/more palatable in Atlanta than those other three.

[a very long weekend]

My guess is that Amazon has already set its sights on Chicago and this whole HQ2 deal is to try to shake the bushes to see if maybe there's a better location their team hadn't properly considered. It's not really evidence, but the mayors of all these towns are making full throated statements and Rahm had his office release a boilerplate. Then it emerges he's had multiple discussions with Bezos about relocation before the while HQ2 thing was even announced. Also, all the major commercial brokerages have ordered their employees not to discuss anything about Amazon, which means they've already shopped.

Personally, my hope is that it goes to Los Angeles, which seems like a great fit, aside from the home prices. If housing were just a bit cheaper, DTLA would be the perfect place for them. But then, of housing were cheaper, there'd be all sorts of other companies in there and housing wouldn't be cheaper.

If I'm objective, probably Toronto is the perfect place for them, top labor for cheap with big savings on corporate tax and health insurance, and their immigration regime up there makes it easy and free (for companies) to get high quality workers from abroad. Plus Bezos could basically name his terms, all the way up to the head of the country:
"Build a new subway line here, Trudeau."
"Okay Mr. Bezos, right away sir."
But it would be such a radical thing to do after announcing this contest thing, so it'll never happen. If Toronto were the move, they'd just quietly have expanded over years.

Will be very surprised of it's not Chicago.

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Detroit has no public transit to speak of so it won't happen. Chicago and Philly have good systems but one of the criteria was low crime and they are both VERY high crime rate cities. It will also be difficult for Chicago to claim they could get the workers when both the city and state are losing population. If you can't keep the labour force you already have then why would Amazon think they could get 50,000 new workers?

I don't think NYC has a chance. Technically it crosses all the boxes but NYC has a reputation of Wall Street which is what Amazon doesn't want. Claiming to be an innovative 21st century company and then becoming yet another old established Wall Street corporation doesn't elude the kind of difference with the old boys network that Amazon will be looking for.

For me it's {no order} Boston, Toronto, or Washington with Atlanta being a more distant 4th and then Dallas.

Well Atlanta and Dallas also have high crime rates. Like everywhere, crime in Chicago and Philadelphia is highly concentrated. It'll have little to no impact on Amazon's decision.

In regards to population, Chicago's bleeding the types of individuals who would never qualify for these jobs in the first place. Each summer, more than 150,000 recent college grads move to the city for work. Chicago can fill the positions, as could Philadelphia. I'm thinking Chicago has a great chance at this, but we're just going to have to sit back and see what Amazon decides.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Detroit has no public transit to speak of so it won't happen. Chicago and Philly have good systems but one of the criteria was low crime and they are both VERY high crime rate cities. It will also be difficult for Chicago to claim they could get the workers when both the city and state are losing population. If you can't keep the labour force you already have then why would Amazon think they could get 50,000 new workers?

I don't think NYC has a chance. Technically it crosses all the boxes but NYC has a reputation of Wall Street which is what Amazon doesn't want. Claiming to be an innovative 21st century company and then becoming yet another old established Wall Street corporation doesn't elude the kind of difference with the old boys network that Amazon will be looking for.

For me it's {no order} Boston, Toronto, or Washington with Atlanta being a more distant 4th and then Dallas.

You say Philadelphia is out because of high crime yet list Washington and Atlanta as your choices which, funny enough, have higher crime rates than Philadelphia... lol

Chicago, of course, has a higher crime rate than Philadelphia. Dallas and Philadelphia are pretty close on crime rates, with Dallas being a little lower.

Philadelphia is pretty middle of the pack for US cities on crime rates actually. Also, the ideal location in Philadelphia for Amazon would be Schuylkill Yards and 30th Street Station District, which is in University City, and next to Center City... neither of which are high crime areas, nor are they really near high crime areas.

[k1052]

Originally Posted by IrishIllini

Well Atlanta and Dallas also have high crime rates. Like everywhere, crime in Chicago and Philadelphia is highly concentrated. It'll have little to no impact on Amazon's decision.

In regards to population, Chicago's bleeding the types of individuals who would never qualify for these jobs in the first place. Each summer, more than 150,000 recent college grads move to the city for work. Chicago can fill the positions, as could Philadelphia. I'm thinking Chicago has a great chance at this, but we're just going to have to sit back and see what Amazon decides.

Yes, there seems to be a broad misunderstanding about the demographic changes that are happening. Whats more I'm seeing more and more east coasters relocate here. I can't swing a dead cat around River North now without hitting 4 New Yorkers and a person from Boston who've moved for lower COL and new job opportunities.

[subterranean]

Ann Arbor has transit

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by azliam

I'd like to see some stats verifying that. In any case and as a former resident, I know some current Austin residents who have real "inside information" on the fact that Austin has sold its soul in favor of becoming another tech monoculture. Is that really a path the city chooses to remain on?

Austin's been involved with the tech industry since IBM opened their first sales office here in 1937 and then opened their first factory here in 1967. Few other cities can say they have 50 years of history in manufacturing in the tech industry.

Source - http://www.statesman.com/business/years-...stin-tech-sector/Z9y2F1aclryFS7qNT1JhcO/

[JManc]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

I don't think NYC has a chance. Technically it crosses all the boxes but NYC has a reputation of Wall Street which is what Amazon doesn't want. Claiming to be an innovative 21st century company and then becoming yet another old established Wall Street corporation doesn't elude the kind of difference with the old boys network that Amazon will be looking for.

Huh? "Wall Street" has turned the company into a ~$500 billion behemoth and J. Bezos, one the richest men in the world. Amazon is waaaay beyond being a tech start up with a bunch of hipsters sitting around with laptops in beanbag chairs leery of the "establishment". Companies like Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, Apple, Google are the new order of Wall Street. They even have a nickname for them, FAANG.

[Pedestrian]

Originally Posted by a very long weekend

My guess is that Amazon has already set its sights on Chicago and this whole HQ2 deal is to try to shake the bushes to see if maybe there's a better location their team hadn't properly considered.

So these guys are wasting their time?

How Dallas is making a big play for Amazon's second North American headquarters
By Candace Carlisle and Evan Hoopfer – Dallas Business Journal

Dallas-Fort Worth leaders are stepping up in a big way in hopes of luring Amazon.com Inc.'s proposed $5 billion second North American headquarters to the region . . . .

"The Dallas Regional Chamber has communicated to Amazon our intent to respond to the RFP for Amazon HQ2," Mike Rosa, senior vice president for economic development at the Dallas Regional Chamber, told the Dallas Business Journal.

"We are in reviewing the RFP and look forward to showcasing for Amazon the many reasons why there is no better place than right here for Amazon’s HQ2," he added.

The Dallas Regional Chamber is working alongside North Texas cities and the development community to identify some of the best sites for the potential Amazon HQ2 campus, which is expected to employ up to 50,000 workers as the online retailer continues to grow its operations . . . .

The proposed Dallas Midtown project — within eyesight of the Galleria Towers, and Amazon's regional office — could emerge as an option for Amazon.

"With close proximity to the Amazon distribution facilities and DFW Airport, Dallas Midtown would make a perfect home for Amazon," Dallas developer Scott Beck told the Dallas Business Journal."Amazon has an opportunity to create an Amazon connected city in Dallas Midtown, including naming the new Dallas Midtown Park."

Amazon.com has a history of redeveloping urban sites — like the proposed Dallas Midtown — into a vision fit for a destination-style headquarters. In Seattle, the retailer converted a former hospital into part of its corporate campus.

Recently, Dallas developer Sam Ware snapped up the former Parkland Hospital adjacent to the new facility with plans to develop a mixed-use destination called 'The District.' The property includes adjacent land slated for ground-up development . . . .

https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2017/09/07/amazon-headquarters-north-texas-dallas.html

[dc_denizen]

northern NJ would make sense, but not enough good universities or tech degrees.

[JManc]

Originally Posted by dc_denizen

northern NJ would make sense, but not enough good universities or tech degrees.

Yea...but it's Jersey so...next! lol

[wwmiv]

Austin's Domain area could be a viable option if developers get more adventurous. Specifically, the IBM campus across the road from the Domain is in the redevelopment pipeline. The developers are also paying the city to relocate the Metrorail station to be adjacent to their development (it also comes with the benefit of easier access to the Domain).

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=7891023&postcount=671

[KevinFromTexas]

When offering a visual aid in advertising your city, it is imperative that you include a source link for the photo(s) you post. After all, we're talking about recognition, are we not?

[Pedestrian]

Originally Posted by JManc

Huh? "Wall Street" has turned the company into a ~$500 billion behemoth and J. Bezos, one the richest men in the world. Amazon is waaaay beyond being a tech start up with a bunch of hipsters sitting around with laptops in beanbag chairs leery of the "establishment". Companies like Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, Apple, Google are the new order of Wall Street. They even have a nickname for them, FAANG.

"They" being CNBC's Jim Cramer who invented the FAANG name before Google changed its name.

But actually, "Wall Street" investment banks nearly all now have massive satellite offices in San Francisco, not New York, to handle their business with the companies you listed.

JP Morgan's "Silicon Valley" building (560 Mission St., SF)

http://hollywoodlocations.com/locations/560-mission/

Blackrock Investments (largest exchange traded fund purveyor) in "Siicon Valley" (Foundry Square, Howard St, SF)

http://studios.com/people__offices/offices/san_francisco/

Morgan Stanley in "Silicon Valley" (101 California St, SF)

http://www.elettranova.com/index-5.html

You get the idea.