Amazon HQ2 bid - Page 12

Ant131531 · #**221** Posted **Jan 9, 2018, 5:50 PM**

So...when are we supposed to learn of the shortlist?

skyscraperpage17 · #**222** Posted **Jan 9, 2018, 8:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

Has me wondering what Easter eggs some cities offered. Could you imagine if some included transit expansion packages?

Detroit's bid does. But other than heavy rail connection to the airport and the gondola across the river to Canada, it's underwhelming.

Nashville is also holding a referendum for an extensive (fully funded) transit system in May, though I'm not sure if it was included in their bid.

skyscraperpage17 · #**223** Posted **Jan 9, 2018, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant131531

So...when are we supposed to learn of the shortlist?

Amazon hasn't said.

skyscraperpage17 · #**224** Posted **Jan 10, 2018, 11:05 PM**

Gov. Deal says special session needed if Amazon comes calling

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/gov-deal...needed-if-amazon-comes-calling/681286660

skyscraperpage17 · #**225** Posted **Jan 11, 2018, 10:39 PM**

Hmmm...

Amazon HQ2 intrigue continues with reported Boston lease talks

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/c...-amazon-hq2-ryan-ori-20180111-story.html

Quote:

Amazon is reportedly in talks to lease as much as 1 million square feet of office space in Boston, touching off a new round of speculation about where the e-commerce giant’s planned second headquarters will wind up.

Seattle-based Amazon is negotiating a potential lease for an entire 500,000-square-foot building, and an option for a second building of the same size, in the planned Seaport Square development, the Boston Globe reported Thursday.

It’s the latest hint — or perhaps just the newest diversion — as city leaders and real estate experts throughout North America hunger for any news about where the highly coveted corporate headquarters will land.

Ant131531 · #**226** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 2:07 AM**

More stuff that comes out, more I think they choose Boston. Only reason I thought maybe they would skip out on Boston was because of costs, but Boston makes the most sense logically to me.

bigstick · #**227** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 12:24 PM**

I don't know, this Boston talk is just that. No one in their right mind would want to transfer to Boston, did you see the floods of ice they had last week> No thanks...

Atlanta3000 · #**228** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 12:57 PM**

Boston

There is no way Amazon would ever select Boston for their HQ2. Boston is a beautiful and historic city, but they are very anti-growth. It would be a major challenge to recruit talent to the city with the 5th most expensive housing market. Most importantly - the area Amazon is looking to lease office space (Seaport District) could never accompanied 8 Million sqft of office.

We got this!

skyscraperpage17 · #**229** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 1:31 PM**

My thoughts RE: Boston

1. They won't have to "recruit" talent per se. They will have a huge pipeline of talent right in town with their numerous highly-ranked STEM Universities. That's the same reason GE ultimately selected them.

2. As far as the weather, bear in mind they're in Seattle now. Other than bigger snowstorms, Boston isn't anything they're not already use to.

3. The Seaport may not have the required space, but they are pitching 3 other sites in addition to it and Amazon didn't say the sites have to be contiguous.

4. It's true that Boston isn't very business-friendly, but although that was listed as a preference in the RFQ, who knows if it will be a deal breaker. Many companies locate to cities such as Boston, NYC and San Francisco in spite of their business-unfriendly government (#1 is one reason why).

All of that said, I do agree with the overall sentiment. Boston would be the most anti-climatic choice, and it would prove this whole ordeal was nothing but a waste of time for every other city.

Atlanta3000 · #**230** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 2:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

My thoughts RE: Boston

1. They won't have to "recruit" talent per se. They will have a huge pipeline of talent right in town with their numerous highly-ranked STEM Universities. That's the same reason GE ultimately selected them.

Boston has a huge shortage of tech talent. Also, entry level software developers right out of college make $90K. It will be extremely difficult for Amazon to attract experienced tech talent to Boston with average pay of $100K.

Street Advocate · #**231** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 3:21 PM**

Pretty sure the Boston talk is nothing more than the Atlanta gulch/Amazon association talk. They're likely vetting all of their top locations, impact fees, etc. IMO, seaport district could definitely build into the exact sort of place Amazon is looking for. Decent transit, close proximity to everything, and plenty of space to build out to their desire.

I think it will come down to how heavily Amazon prioritizes financials and whether they want a similar culture or would prefer to diversify.

AtlHeel · #**232** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 3:21 PM**

I think Boston, Dallas, and Atlanta make the most sense to be the three finalists. I think Atlanta's biggest drawback is a perception that we're still in ways 'the deep south'; there are some national misconceptions and prejudices associated with that. Dallas has a little more money, prehaps better 'high art' / performing centers, and a growing light rail. I think Boston might win because it's prestigious and has those incredible educational institutions. In my humble opinion though Atlanta is really overall the best choice but I'd be surprised if we get it.

skyscraperpage17 · #**233** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 3:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Boston has a huge shortage of tech talent. Also, entry level software developers right out of college make $90K. It will be extremely difficult for Amazon to attract experienced tech talent to Boston with average pay of $100K.

Cost of living is definitely a mark against Boston for sure. I'm just not sure if it will be a deal breaker for Amazon, or what type of employees they will be targeting. Maybe they are looking for more recent graduate, like most big corporations now (to prepare for the onslaught of baby boomers retiring). Even in Boston, $100K can go far for some, especially for young people just out of college.

As far as talent, I wasn't aware of the shortage. It's odd because they apparently produce the most tech degrees of all major cities, yet they can't seem to keep them.

https://www.boston.com/jobs/jobs-news/2016/07/11/boston-home-largest-brain-drain-tech-workers-u-s

Atlanta3000 · #**234** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 4:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

Cost of living is definitely a mark against Boston for sure. I'm just not sure if it will be a deal breaker for Amazon, or what type of employees they will be targeting. Maybe they are looking for more recent graduate, like most big corporations now (to prepare for the onslaught of baby boomers retiring). Even in Boston, $100K can go far for some, especially for young people just out of college.

As far as talent, I wasn't aware of the shortage. It's odd because they apparently produce the most tech degrees of all major cities, yet they can't seem to keep them.

https://www.boston.com/jobs/jobs-news/2016/07/11/boston-home-largest-brain-drain-tech-workers-u-s

That's because most software companies have some type of development office in Boston, but most of the large software companies are based in other cities. Folks coming out places like MIT want to work at Google's HQ in CA not their special projects office in Backbay. Make sense?

If I had to guess, the Amazon lease in Boston has something to do with Artificial Intelligence. Amazon having a large office in Boston focused on this makes sense given the intellectual capital in the area concentrated on this speciality IT area. However, the numbers simply don't justify locating the HQ2 there.

atlwarrior · #**235** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 8:14 PM**

If Amazon fart and passes gas someone will read something into it. Just let the process finish.

Atlanta3000 · #**236** Posted **Jan 12, 2018, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlwarrior

If Amazon fart and passes gas someone will read something into it. Just let the process finish.

So you are saying Amazon farted? Did they fart in Seattle, when they visited Atlanta or both? Interestingly, I fart (a lot, but that is neither her nor there). Also, sometimes when I drive by the Gulch I get a fart aroma [that is not my brand]. Do you think this is sign/signal Amazon is selecting Atlanta? Clearly they are sending a message Atlwarrior.

Rodney Taintgooch · #**237** Posted **Jan 13, 2018, 1:44 PM**

I did detect a hint of clam chowder in their last passing of gas

Atlanta3000 · #**238** Posted **Jan 13, 2018, 3:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney Taintgooch

I did detect a hint of clam chowder in their last passing of gas

No - I had fried chicken, waffles and whiskey that day, R "Taintgooch".

skyscraperpage17 · #**239** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 2:23 PM**

WE MADE IT Y'ALL!!!

Most of the choices make sense, but a few of them are surprising (especially Indy)

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/18/amazon-n...ates-for-new-headquarters-hq2-to-20.html

Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Columbus, OH
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Indianapolis, IN
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Montgomery County, MD
Nashville, TN
Newark, NJ
New York City, NY
Northern Virginia, VA
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Raleigh, NC
Toronto, ON
Washington D.C.

ATLSkyPalaceOwner · #**240** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 2:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

WE MADE IT Y'ALL!!!

Most of the choices make sense, but a few of them are surprising (especially Indy)

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/18/amaz...hq2-to-20.html

Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Columbus, OH
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Indianapolis, IN
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Montgomery County, MD
Nashville, TN
Newark, NJ
New York City, NY
Northern Virginia, VA
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Raleigh, NC
Toronto, ON
Washington D.C.

By the way, there is something wrong with your URL