Amazon HQ2 thread

[the urban politician]

Any reason we can't re-close this thread for a while?

[DMPHL]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Any reason we can't re-close this thread for a while?

Why? Are you telling me Amazon isn't choosing a city based on what time the sun sets on November 8 every year?

[LouisVanDerWright]

The worst part is the bickering over what is an easily verifiable scientific fact. SAD is caused by vitamin D deficiency which means you are getting less UV light to allow you skin to synthesize the vitamin. This can happen because you see shorter days with light at a lower angle, but clouds absorb UV rays (which is why you don't get sunburn during a cloudy day). This is not a topic open for debate, this is fact. This also had literally nothing to do with Amazon.

[Via Chicago]

this thread is pointless

[denizen467]

^ Just because it strays occasionally doesn't mean it's pointless.

Now that we've talked about winter:

Let's talk about unpleasant summers in hot, or merely humid (DC, Boston), locales.

Chicago's summers are a fantastic selling point, especially with all the music and food and other festivals going on. They have an expiration date of barely 90 days, but they are great.

[north 42]

Originally Posted by Centropolis

that's it.


this whole amazon thing has turned us into monsters. look at us.


media.giphy.com

I loved watching Sigmund the Sea monster on Saturday mornings growing up in the 70s!

[JManc]

Is weather really even a topic here? I don't think Amazon cares...they use windows, heating and air conditioning in their offices. Or daylight, I'm pretty sure their buildings will have lights as well.

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by JManc

Is weather really even a topic here? I don't think Amazon cares...they use windows, heating and air conditioning in their offices. Or daylight, I'm pretty sure their buildings will have lights as well.

Stop being sensible. Amazon is more concerned about getting quality talent, affordable housing, and transit than if their employees will need to wear a coat or light jacket to work four to five months out of the year.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by JManc

Is weather really even a topic here? I don't think Amazon cares...they use windows, heating and air conditioning in their offices. Or daylight, I'm pretty sure their buildings will have lights as well.

i don’t think its going to be an issue for amazon. some of us just like jabbering about weather.

[10023]

I think a more important wild card is that Bezos grew up in Texas. Did he like it or could he not wait to get away?

Ultimately this is his decision to make and the rest doesn't really matter.

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by 10023

I think a more important wild card is that Bezos grew up in Texas. Did he like it or could he not wait to get away?

Ultimately this is his decision to make and the rest doesn't really matter.

I think if Bezos felt any connection to Texas, Amazon would be there now. I'm really struggling to see a world where Austin, Dallas, or Houston are seriously considered (they lack the transit, are already experiencing growing pains/housing affordability issues, and the talent pipeline is certainly stronger in other parts of the country (not saying there's no talent in Texas)), but crazier things have happened!

[crosbyshow]

Originally Posted by IrishIllini

Stop being sensible. Amazon is more concerned about getting quality talent, affordable housing, and transit than if their employees will need to wear a coat or light jacket to work four to five months out of the year.

I think the cost of energy is alot more important for Jeff.

The price of electricity in Montreal is very very low and they gonna do him a very good deal also

[10023]

Originally Posted by crosbyshow

I think the cost of energy is alot more important for Jeff.

The price of electricity in Montreal is very very low and they gonna do him a very good deal also

Cost of energy is far from the top of their list. Not even worth thinking about. This is office space they're building, not a data center.

[cabasse]

Originally Posted by crosbyshow

I think the cost of energy is alot more important for Jeff.

The price of electricity in Montreal is very very low and they gonna do him a very good deal also

Energy matters to amazon, but I don't think cost of it is a consideration, really. They did just recently build a 250MW wind farm in Texas after all.

[C.]

I kinda hope Montreal doesn't win HQ2. It would be an excellent location, but I worry about how 50,000 transplants plus tens of thousands employed in auxiliary businesses would change the feel of that special city.

[JManc]

Originally Posted by IrishIllini

I think if Bezos felt any connection to Texas, Amazon would be there now. I'm really struggling to see a world where Austin, Dallas, or Houston are seriously considered (they lack the transit, are already experiencing growing pains/housing affordability issues, and the talent pipeline is certainly stronger in other parts of the country (not saying there's no talent in Texas)), but crazier things have happened!

He up and moved to Seattle from NYC. It was the early 90's so maybe he was into Grunge and then founded AMZN shortly after. He and his family are one of the largest landowners in TX though and spent part of his childhood here in Houston. His father worked for XOM..

[mrnyc]

Originally Posted by JManc

What makes you think I don't?

nothing! that reply was not for you.

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by JManc

He up and moved to Seattle from NYC. It was the early 90's so maybe he was into Grunge and then founded AMZN shortly after. He and his family are one of the largest landowners in TX though and spent part of his childhood here in Houston. His father worked for XOM..

I really don't think that means much at this point. Bezos is going to set up shop where he thinks he's getting the best deal (incentives, talent acquisition/retention, etc.). If that's Texas, it's Texas, but the only aspects of the RFP that any city in Texas truly nails is access to globally connected airports (DFW). DFW is far from the only metro area that can sell their airport as an asset. Chicago, Atlanta, and even Philadelphia/NJ can all play that card. The three Texas front runners will score considerably lower on housing and transit, which are of critical importance if Amazon wants to grow by an additional 50,000 employees at the HQ2. There's greater access to talent in Chicago and Philadelphia IMO, but I suspect many people would be willing to relocate for the right opportunity.

[TowerSpotter]

Originally Posted by JManc

He up and moved to Seattle from NYC. It was the early 90's so maybe he was into Grunge and then founded AMZN shortly after. He and his family are one of the largest landowners in TX though and spent part of his childhood here in Houston. His father worked for XOM..

He also has Blue Origin's test facilities in west Texas and recently purchased Whole Foods from Austin. He certainly maintains a strong connection in Texas. As for Amazon itself hes been expanding distribution centers in recent years.

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by TowerSpotter

He also has Blue Origin's test facilities in west Texas and recently purchased Whole Foods from Austin. He certainly maintains a strong connection in Texas. As for Amazon itself hes been expanding distribution centers in recent years.

The distribution centers are everywhere. I think there are something like 8,000 Amazon employees in Chicagoland alone.

Whether or not being located near Whole Foods is of importance to Amazon is TBD. I feel as though Amazon is the kind of company that will need a national presence given their goal is to dominate the retail industry nationally. I see no need for them to be near Whole Foods, which is a struggling grocer and had been prior to Amazon buying them out.

Anyone know when the decision was supposed to be made? Wasn't it early 2018?