Amazon HQ2 - Page 27

Novacek · #**521** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 2:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

Three different candidates from the DC a region. Hmmm.

Especially interesting, since it confirms that when they say "Washington DC", they mean the district proper (not just the metro).

I wonder what in-district site they're looking at/was proposed. Between all the existing development and the height limit, getting 8M sq ft basically contiguous might be hard.

Update: Looks like DC details were released a while back. And yeah, finding a compact 8M is pretty hard (though there are some potential options).

https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/n...ere-how-it-would-meet-amazons-steep.html

paul78701 · #**522** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 3:06 PM**

Steve Adler is going to talk on CNBC soon. For those that want to tune in.

Update: Looks like he'll be talking on "Squawk Alley" sometime between 10-11am.

We vs us · #**523** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 3:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novacek

Especially interesting, since it confirms that when they say "Washington DC", they mean the district proper (not just the metro).

I wonder what in-district site they're looking at/was proposed. Between all the existing development and the height limit, getting 8M sq ft basically contiguous might be hard.

As it happens, I stumbled across this yesterday:

https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2018/01/17/d-c-reveals-part-of-amazon-hq2-bid.html

Has some details of the DC bid, but most importantly gives it a general geographical location (southern tip of the district).

I'm in DC for work fairly often but not very familiar with this part of the city, so can't speak to what it looks like now, but from a map it looks like it has parcels on either side of the Anacostia River, and might even butt up against Nationals Park.

freerover · #**524** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 4:00 PM**

I wish their trimmed list was less than 20. It's hard to imagine Austin entering negotiations with all of them but we'll see. This is an opportunity for the city council to start generating a positive dialog about the project with the community.

I obviously have been big on Atlanta for HQ2 but I think I would split my money 50:50 between Atlanta and one of the DC locations. I can see the idea that there is value in being in or near the US capital. That might not be tangible value where could say there would be a guaranteed return because you have X amount of influence. It might be a bit harder to measure. They could see HQ2 as being a sort of main international HQ that serves as an opportunity for forging relationships with leaders from around the world.

masonh2479 · #**525** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 4:13 PM**

Disregard, I can’t read

chinchaaa · #**526** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 4:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by We vs us

As it happens, I stumbled across this yesterday:

https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2018/01/17/d-c-reveals-part-of-amazon-hq2-bid.html

Has some details of the DC bid, but most importantly gives it a general geographical location (southern tip of the district).

I'm in DC for work fairly often but not very familiar with this part of the city, so can't speak to what it looks like now, but from a map it looks like it has parcels on either side of the Anacostia River, and might even butt up against Nationals Park.

That's a very up and coming area with a lot of development. It would definitely be a pretty cool area for Amazon to be in.

paul78701 · #**527** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 5:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freerover

I wish their trimmed list was less than 20. It's hard to imagine Austin entering negotiations with all of them but we'll see. This is an opportunity for the city council to start generating a positive dialog about the project with the community.

I obviously have been big on Atlanta for HQ2 but I think I would split my money 50:50 between Atlanta and one of the DC locations. I can see the idea that there is value in being in or near the US capital. That might not be tangible value where could say there would be a guaranteed return because you have X amount of influence. It might be a bit harder to measure. They could see HQ2 as being a sort of main international HQ that serves as an opportunity for forging relationships with leaders from around the world.

If they intend to play the political game, it may be more beneficial to be in Texas or California being that each has such large representations in congress. That may matter more and garner more influence than being close to DC lobbyists. They can add lobbyists at any time, no matter where they go.

paul78701 · #**528** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 5:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

Steve Adler is going to talk on CNBC soon. For those that want to tune in.

Update: Looks like he'll be talking on "Squawk Alley" sometime between 10-11am.

Well, either he didn't make it on or I missed it. Maybe he'll be on later in the day? <shrug>

freerover · #**529** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 5:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

If they intend to play the political game, it may be more beneficial to be in Texas or California being that each has such large representations in congress. That may matter more and garner more influence than being close to DC lobbyists. They can add lobbyists at any time, no matter where they go.

Ehh I don't think that would help much. You are talking about only a few congressmen from around the area where Amazon would be that would be interested out of over 400. You have a lot of international visits in DC that could help with Amazon's worldwide strategy as well as where a lot of the meetings and conferences that you really care about are going to be.

In terms of Austin, I think the domain location makes the most sense but it's also the worst opportunity for the city. Amazon is promising to spend billions in infrastructure improvements which would be great for redeveloping a crappy rundown area of downtown but broadmore is just building offices on existing corporate parking lots. We don't need help doing that. Developers are already doing that easily. The riverside project is an example of something that would require a lot of capital in order to transform that area of land for corporate use and it would really take an Amazon like project in order to do that but we don't need amazon hq2 for the broodmoore development. I mean, Amazon could use that land just as easily for their future needs for their existing office. They just wouldn't need all of it. Does this make sense?

Did you guys watch parks and rec? I hope that the final Amazon deal is similar to what Grizzle did in the shitty part of Pawnee. Redevelop existing buildings in a shitty part of town and breath life back into an area of a city. That is a great use of tax incentives.

paul78701 · #**530** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 5:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freerover

Ehh I don't think that would help much. You are talking about only a few congressmen from around the area where Amazon would be that would be interested out of over 400. You have a lot of international visits in DC that could help with Amazon's worldwide strategy as well as where a lot of the meetings and conferences that you really care about are going to be.

With what they're proposing, I think they'd get more than just the few congressmen from the immediate area.

freerover · #**531** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 5:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

With what they're proposing, I think they'd get more than just the few congressmen from the immediate area.

Texas and California each have more than 50 Fortune 500s based in their state and the primary focus for house reps will be the companies located in their metro areas. Amazon is not going to be special enough to carry statewide power in either state.

paul78701 · #**532** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 5:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freerover

Texas and California each have more than 50 Fortune 500s based in their state and the primary focus for house reps will be the companies located in their metro areas. Amazon is not going to be special enough to carry statewide power in either state.

You know for a fact that those companies don't talk to the representatives statewide? I doubt it.

paul78701 · #**533** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freerover

Texas and California each have more than 50 Fortune 500s based in their state and the primary focus for house reps will be the companies located in their metro areas. Amazon is not going to be special enough to carry statewide power in either state.

I'm just putting another possible angle out there. I don't understand why you feel the need to outwardly discount it as if it's not something to even think about.

AwesomeSAView · #**534** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 6:03 PM**

CONGRATULATIONS AUSTIN and DALLAS!!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!

COMPETITION WILL GET FIERCER NOW!!!!

GO TEXAS GO!!!!

ATXboom · #**535** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 6:20 PM**

My quick take aways...

There is intense focus on cities in the Eastern Time Zone - an attribute that may be really important to Amazon.

A few of the areas are in/near the greater DC area - just by volume that seems to be the area of focus for Amazon.

freerover · #**536** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul78701

I'm just putting another possible angle out there. I don't understand why you feel the need to outwardly discount it as if it's not something to even think about.

You suggested there was a bigger political advantage in being in Cali or Texas. I disagreed. I don't know why you are taking it personally. Maybe you're right. As I said, it's not something you can easily gauge.

StoOgE · #**537** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 6:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATXboom

My quick take aways...

There is intense focus on cities in the Eastern Time Zone - an attribute that may be really important to Amazon.

A few of the areas are in/near the greater DC area - just by volume that seems to be the area of focus for Amazon.

Yeah,

It does seem like being bi-coastal is a strong want of Amazon's. It was always going to be an uphill battle for Austin just given the size of our metro vs. the big boys.. but DC looks like the most likely target with them reserving the right to pit three metros against one another.

paul78701 · #**538** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 6:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freerover

You suggested there was a bigger political advantage in being in Cali or Texas. I disagreed. I don't know why you are taking it personally. Maybe you're right. As I said, it's not something you can easily gauge.

It would have been better taken if you had explained it that way initially. It didn't come off as simply disagreeing.

paul78701 · #**539** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 6:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoOgE

Yeah,

It does seem like being bi-coastal is a strong want of Amazon's. It was always going to be an uphill battle for Austin just given the size of our metro vs. the big boys.. but DC looks like the most likely target with them reserving the right to pit three metros against one another.

There's something to be said for not having a three hour time difference though. It can be tough enough sometimes when trying to coordinate with team members two hours away.

clubtokyo · #**540** Posted **Jan 18, 2018, 8:17 PM**

What is DC offering Amazon?

Among the perks, Seattle-based Amazon could qualify for:

Relocation reimbursements of up to $7,500 per worker that moves to D.C. and wage reimbursements of up to $30,000 per new job it fills locally with military veteran

A five-year corporate franchise tax exemption capped at $15 million

A five-year freeze on property taxes on every building the e-commerce and cloud computing firm occupies in D.C. as long as Amazon occupies at least half of that building

A 10-year exemption on personal property taxes on qualified property and equipment

And a sales tax exemption in perpetuity on its investment in qualified new purchases