ATLANTA | Development Thread VI

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by Verge

Almost all of Amazon's Seattle 6-8M sf presence is downtown in a number of high-rises. The initial request is on for 500,000 sf-- a medium sized office tower--

I think the 500K sqft requirement is for an existing tower so Amazon could start staffing their operations in the selected city by 2019.

Thinking about possible sites in Atlanta that could accommodate Amazon's HQ2. I definitely think Downtown has a lock on this. Considering 233,00 hotel room nights are sold yearly in Seattle as a result of their HQ (per the RFP), Downtown is the only area in Atlanta with the availability of rooms today and for the foreseeable future. Downtown is also the only urban area of Atlanta that has 70+ acres (Gulch) of undeveloped land available.

[Hokiehaven]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

I think the 500K sqft requirement is for an existing tower so Amazon could start staffing their operations in the selected city by 2019.

Thinking about possible sites in Atlanta that could accommodate Amazon's HQ2. I definitely think Downtown has a lock on this. Considering 233,00 hotel room nights are sold yearly in Seattle as a result of their HQ (per the RFP), Downtown is the only area in Atlanta with the availability of rooms today and for the foreseeable future. Downtown is also the only urban area of Atlanta that has 70+ acres (Gulch) of undeveloped land available.

The Gulch, Summerhill, Civic Center and the lots around Peachtree Pine or perhaps the ones around North Ave. could work if they can connect. Summerhill seems to make the most sense if ATL gets it.

Would love it, but it always seems like they go elsewhere, these major companies. I'll expect it'll be a traditional East Coast city, DC, Philly, NY, Boston until I hear otherwise.

[themaguffin]

Downtown is the only area in Atlanta with the availability of rooms today and for the foreseeable future.

Did Amazon say anything about hotel rooms...??

Downtown is also the only urban area of Atlanta that has 70+ acres (Gulch) of undeveloped land available.

They a lot more than 70 acres. How many acres is the Gulch?

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by themaguffin

Did Amazon say anything about hotel rooms...??

Page 3 of RFP.



They a lot more than 70 acres. How many acres is the Gulch?

The Gulch is over 70 acres. Amazon's RFP said the space doesn't have to be continuous so they could select the Gulch and a combination of other nearby sites. My point is the Gulch is the only site in Downtown that is a clear slate - shovel ready.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by Hokiehaven

The Gulch, Summerhill, Civic Center and the lots around Peachtree Pine or perhaps the ones around North Ave. could work if they can connect. Summerhill seems to make the most sense if ATL gets it.

Would love it, but it always seems like they go elsewhere, these major companies. I'll expect it'll be a traditional East Coast city, DC, Philly, NY, Boston until I hear otherwise.

Summerhill is out of the running now that I think about it. Why - MARTA access (see below). Additionally, I don't think the neighborhood would support 30+ story buildings.

https://martaguide.com/2009/06/18/marta-to-turner-field/

It takes about 25 minutes to walk to Turner Field from the Georgia State MARTA station on the blue/green rail line. Take the Piedmont Avenue exit out of the station and turn left and walk south until you reach the stadium. Bring your bike with you on MARTA for a faster commute.

[montydawg]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Summerhill is out of the running now that I think about it.

I would think North Avenue by the Varsity would be a dream spot for Amazon. There are only 4 hotels in the area, but there is plenty of space to lease in the BOA plaza, MARTA, Georgia Tech, Interstate, visibility, and several large underutilized lots in the area for development. I believe spring street in that location is already in a tax friendly 'enterprise zone'. It seems to be the heart of technology for Atlanta. I can't think of any negatives, unless Amazon is looking for a more cohesive campus in the suburbs, which I don't think is their first choice, given they seem to favor 'hard working entrepreneurial employees' (read: millennials)

[Libertarian]

The Gulch area makes sense if Amazon in fact needs 20,000 employees:
1) For startup existing purposes, the nearby old bank operations center on Mitchell St. is a huge available space.
2) Marta Five Points station with two Marta lines is next door.
3) Plenty of parking can be built under and nearby the viaducts without having to excavate.
4) It would tie in neatly with the 3 south downtown mega projects which will cost $3 billion if totally built out (Philips, Underground, Newport).
5) 10 miles from the airport; easy access to 3 interstates as well as future potential construction of a Westside bypass.

[MdtwnATL]

Originally Posted by montydawg

I would think North Avenue by the Varsity would be a dream spot for Amazon. There are only 4 hotels in the area, but there is plenty of space to lease in the BOA plaza, MARTA, Georgia Tech, Interstate, visibility, and several large underutilized lots in the area for development. I believe spring street in that location is already in a tax friendly 'enterprise zone'. It seems to be the heart of technology for Atlanta. I can't think of any negatives, unless Amazon is looking for a more cohesive campus in the suburbs, which I don't think is their first choice, given they seem to favor 'hard working entrepreneurial employees' (read: millennials)

You can bet that the second this announcement would be made, there would be immediate plans underway to build several large hotels in the immediate vicinity.

With CODA in that area, Georgia Tech across the way, the available real estate, MARTA underneath, and the already attractive/livable/walkable Midtown neighborhood, this would just make sense. We shall see.

[Street Advocate]

I'm cool with downtown, north ave, or even arts center areas being the beacon for development like the Amazon proposal. If anything though- Atlanta needs to start making moves on its transit funding and building out additional transit lines. We do not want major jobs and housing to keep coming then need to build out transit over the next decade

[ATL_J]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

The Gulch is over 70 acres. Amazon's RFP said the space doesn't have to be continuous so they could select the Gulch and a combination of other nearby sites. My point is the Gulch is the only site in Downtown that is a clear slate - shovel ready.

What are your boundries for The Gulch? The parcels behind Norfolk Southern belong to that building and in my generous measurements, The Gulch is only 30 something acres. Maybe Google Earth is off or I am missing something?

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by Hokiehaven

The Gulch, Summerhill, Civic Center and the lots around Peachtree Pine or perhaps the ones around North Ave. could work if they can connect. Summerhill seems to make the most sense if ATL gets it.

Would love it, but it always seems like they go elsewhere, these major companies. I'll expect it'll be a traditional East Coast city, DC, Philly, NY, Boston until I hear otherwise.

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

I'm cool with downtown, north ave, or even arts center areas being the beacon for development like the Amazon proposal. If anything though- Atlanta needs to start making moves on its transit funding and building out additional transit lines. We do not want major jobs and housing to keep coming then need to build out transit over the next decade

North Ave and the Arts Center MARTA areas will grow even without Amazon moving to Atlanta. However if Amazon was to develop the Gulch site, both Underground and Newport's sites would be immediately fast tracked. Having that influx of jobs would justify additional housing Downtown as well.

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

North Ave and the Arts Center MARTA areas will grow even without Amazon moving to Atlanta. However if Amazon was to develop the Gulch site, both Underground and Newport's sites would be immediately fast tracked. Having that influx of jobs would justify additional housing Downtown as well.

I 100% agree. My hope would be for the gulch to be redeveloped and downtown to become THE job core of Atlanta.

[Atlanta3000]

New Developments - Atlantic Station

[smArTaLlone]

I'm surprised that no one has made the connection between Amazon's initial 500,000 sf request and this story about a month ago.

City’s CRE biz buzzing over giant office prospect

Atlanta’s Real Estate Sector Abuzz Over Office Prospect

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by smArTaLlone

I'm surprised that no one has made the connection between Amazon's initial 500,000 sf request and this story about a month ago.

City’s CRE biz buzzing over giant office prospect

Atlanta’s Real Estate Sector Abuzz Over Office Prospect

Someone has their thinking cap on! If this is the case, then Atlanta is the front runner and the RFP process is just a tool to negotiate better incentives from Atlanta/Georgia. Very SMART...smArTaLlone.

When I first read the story about Amazon's search for their HQ2 two elements struck me as unusual. First, most companies keep their site selection process confidential until they are ready for an announcement. Second the compressed timeline of the RFP process and selection award (2018). Most companies take years to decide something this significant. I remember reading BMW took 3 years to look for their US manufacturing operation (Spartanburg, SC). Considering Amazon could make a decision in 3 -15 months makes me believe their decision is already made/the process started a long time ago.

Most importantly the links smArtaLlone posted and others I have read alluded to a "mysterious" prospect looking for sites for a RELOCATION (HQ2). AIG has been rumored to be considering Atlanta for a 500K sq ft development. The story has been reported widely so it makes me believe AIG is not the "mysterious" company alluded to in the linked articles.

I suspect GA Tech is playing a significant role in luring Amazon to Atlanta. Additionally, I believe GA Tech's CODA development was a tactical move by Georgia to demonstrate our commitment to providing talent. This also played a significant role in attracting GE's Big Data group to Atlanta. Personally having Amazon's HQ2 in Atlanta would be huge for me because they are the leading Big Data Platform with their Amazon Web Services (AWS) offering. Bring it on.

smArTaLlone - You nailed it. Considering the logic around everything we know so far, I firmly believe Atlanta is going to land the largest economic development prospect ever. Landing the Olympics had a 10 year impact on Atlanta. Landing Amazon will forever impact Atlanta and the transformation on our city is almost unconscionable.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

New Developments - Atlantic Station

Oops...forgot the link:

http://www.myajc.com/business/atlantic-s...g-for-next-phase/97kMoN2ONuviJUjUabdAhK/

[Atlanta3000]

Amazon's Primary reason for their HQ2 search

I heard this from a buddy who works for Amazon's AWS group. Amazon's search is not because they have out grown Seattle or costs of doing business there, but the operational risk to the business in the event of a major earthquake. If a major earthquake occurred in the Seattle area, it would not only cripple Amazon as a company. The effects would impact their entire supply chain and just about every business and every city worldwide would be impacted.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one

[montydawg]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

If a major earthquake occurred in the Seattle area, it would not only cripple Amazon as a company. The effects would impact their entire supply chain and just about every business and every city worldwide would be impacted.

I work in IT, and that makes perfect sense from a disaster recovery standpoint. I think this rules out Boston, especially the seaport area, considering the impact of rising ocean levels. I also feel that Boston has a problem recruiting mature talent to the region. Boston has a cost disadvantage as well. Toronto is considered a favorite, however, I wonder if the burdens associated with flying international between headquarters and all the locations in the United States would overcome the possible strategic foreign income repatriatization advantages Canada may have over the United States (Apple is dealing with this issue right now). It is difficult for a business at many levels to operate with half the company in one country and half the country in another. I have a feeling that Houston and anywhere in Florida are out too!

I think Pittsburgh, Austin (both suffer from poor transit), and Chicago will be primary competition with Atlanta. Atlanta is considered a very stable area to house data centers, with reliable power and very few natural disasters. It also has a very good fiber optic network, which I think will help Atlanta in their decision. I think Georgia Tech will be an advantage Atlanta has over our competition, as Boston is the only contender with a major technical university located nearby.

[themaguffin]

Foxconn got $3 billion - billion. This is why the announcement was so public.

Every city believes it is the it city. It will come down to a combination of factors, but make no mistake the "winning" city and its will need to provide more than what Foxconn got from Wisconsin.

[Libertarian]

Incentive bid offers from cities for the Amazon project are due by Oct. 19. According to Business Insider almost 50 cities are planning to make offers, but Atlanta is not one of them.
http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-he...a-bidding-war-2017-9/#chicago-illinois-1
TBH I don't think Atlanta should offer any tax incentives. I guess infrastructure improvement would be ok.
One other thing to remember. Georgia has a 6% corporate income tax. TX, FL and TN have no corporate income tax. Washington state has no corporate tax.