Amazon HQ2 bid - Page 29

skyscraperpage17 · #**561** Posted **Mar 13, 2018, 1:47 PM**

I wonder if Amazon had planned to visit Boston today?

#SunbeltFTW

skyscraperpage17 · #**562** Posted **Mar 17, 2018, 9:32 AM**

A little off-topic, but still Amazon-related.

Apparently, a rumor's going around that Amazon's executives were recently in Coweta County (near Exit 41 on I-85 outside of Newnan) scouting for land.

I know it's been reported that Amazon was strongly considering Atlanta for a data center, and given the proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson (plus the Newnan-Coweta County Airport), this would be the most strategic location for one. Fayette County was originally the preferred choice for Facebook after all (why they overlooked Coweta County though, I have no idea).

Then again, this area is also near the sites of the Bridgeport and Orchard Hills Industrial Parks. So maybe they're scouting for another fulfillment center (warehouse).

I know about 1 week ago, the Newnan Times-Herald reported that the Coweta County Development Authority is currently working on numerous "manufacturing and distribution" projects that could lead to over 1,000 jobs under project codes names.

It'll be interesting to see if there's anything to this rumor over the coming weeks / months.

Atlanta3000 · #**563** Posted **Mar 19, 2018, 11:54 AM**

Very Interesting Data Points

Chart I - Tech Talent by Markets (2011 - 2016) by CBRE

Note Atlanta is only bested by SF for having the fastest growth in the percent of tech jobs over this period (Top 10 Markets). Over this five year period, Atlanta added 43K tech jobs - almost equivalent to the number of jobs HQ2 will add over a decade. I also found it interesting Seattle only has just over 3K more tech jobs. Although the chart doesn't go into detail on COL, I think it is reasonable to assume a market's economy that has a higher concentration of high tech jobs is directly proportional to COL. Atlanta's concentration is 5.2% vs. Seattle's 8.2%. I think the diversity of Atlanta's economy will be a major advantage for us.

Chart II - Tech Talent Gain or Drain by Markets (2011 - 2016) by CBRE

This is probably the most important chart because it illustrates which cities are best able to grow tech talent, retain their tech talent and most importantly attract tech talent. I must say I am completely shocked at the Brain Drain occurring at some of the most favored HQ2 cities: Philly, Los Angles, Washington DC and Boston.

Chart III - Cost to Operate a 500 Person Tech Company by CBRE

No surprise here. New York, Boston, Washington DC, Newark and Denver are the most expensive.

CREjunkie · #**564** Posted **Mar 19, 2018, 2:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Very Interesting Data Points

Chart I - Tech Talent by Markets (2011 - 2016) by CBRE

Note Atlanta is only bested by SF for having the fastest growth in the percent of tech jobs over this period (Top 10 Markets). Over this five year period, Atlanta added 43K tech jobs - almost equivalent to the number of jobs HQ2 will add over a decade. I also found it interesting Seattle only has just over 3K more tech jobs. Although the chart doesn't go into detail on COL, I think it is reasonable to assume a market's economy that has a higher concentration of high tech jobs is directly proportional to COL. Atlanta's concentration is 5.2% vs. Seattle's 8.2%. I think the diversity of Atlanta's economy will be a major advantage for us.

Chart II - Tech Talent Gain or Drain by Markets (2011 - 2016) by CBRE

This is probably the most important chart because it illustrates which cities are best able to grow tech talent, retain their tech talent and most importantly attract tech talent. I must say I am completely shocked at the Brain Drain occurring at some of the most favored HQ2 cities: Philly, Los Angles, Washington DC and Boston.

Chart III - Cost to Operate a 500 Person Tech Company by CBRE

No surprise here. New York, Boston, Washington DC, Newark and Denver are the most expensive.

Generally, the larger the tech talent market, the smaller the percentage increase in growth.
The fact that the #1 tech market is *ALSO* the fastest growing says a lot about San Francisco. It dispels the nonsense that Silicon Valley is over.

Atlanta3000 · #**565** Posted **Mar 19, 2018, 2:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CREjunkie

Generally, the larger the tech talent market, the smaller the percentage increase in growth.
The fact that the #1 tech market is *ALSO* the fastest growing says a lot about San Francisco. It dispels the nonsense that Silicon Valley is over.

Conversely, I would have expected smaller cities that are tech magnets (re: Austin) would have had a higher % growth in tech jobs than Atlanta.

There are numerous data points confirming Silicon Valley is in a downward trajectory. Ultimately it comes down to housing and COL. Neither of which are economically or politically easy to fix. Why would Apple be looking for a HQ2 outside Cupertino, Google planning a 5000 person operation center outside Mountainview....etc.

Libertarian · #**566** Posted **Mar 19, 2018, 2:50 PM**

When COL goes off the charts it's like an E.Coli lab culture that's depleted of nutrients.

CREjunkie · #**567** Posted **Mar 19, 2018, 4:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Conversely, I would have expected smaller cities that are tech magnets (re: Austin) would have had a higher % growth in tech jobs than Atlanta.

There are numerous data points confirming Silicon Valley is in a downward trajectory. Ultimately it comes down to housing and COL. Neither of which are economically or politically easy to fix. Why would Apple be looking for a HQ2 outside Cupertino, Google planning a 5000 person operation center outside Mountainview....etc.

amusing.
re: Apple and Google: both companies are seeking tech support/back office-type campuses. putting those in emerging, lower cost hubs makes all the sense in the world.
wake me when Atlanta draws the 1%er tech jobs.

Libertarian · #**568** Posted **Mar 19, 2018, 6:48 PM**

ATL is happy to serve as backup and bugout hole for the 1%.

skyscraperpage17 · #**569** Posted **Mar 30, 2018, 12:47 PM**

Somebody was a couple days too early with their article...

Amazon Selects LA for $5 Billion HQ2

http://www.citywatchla.com/index.php/la-watchdog/15166-amazon-selects-la-for-5-billion-hq2

MARTAisSmarta · #**570** Posted **Mar 30, 2018, 1:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

Somebody was a couple days too early with their article...

Amazon Selects LA for $5 Billion HQ2

http://www.citywatchla.com/index.php/la-watchdog/15166-amazon-selects-la-for-5-billion-hq2

Street Advocate · #**571** Posted **Mar 30, 2018, 1:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

Somebody was a couple days too early with their article...

Amazon Selects LA for $5 Billion HQ2

http://www.citywatchla.com/index.php/la-watchdog/15166-amazon-selects-la-for-5-billion-hq2

lmao it's even dated 4/1

jayden · #**572** Posted **Mar 30, 2018, 4:36 PM**

This wait is getting ridiculous. Weren't we supposed to get some kind of update this month?

alco89 · #**573** Posted **Mar 30, 2018, 5:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayden

This wait is getting ridiculous. Weren't we supposed to get some kind of update this month?

They're not even done with their hardcore site visits yet. They've only just now come to visit Atlanta (or they will soon). And they had 20 cities/counties on their "short" list. I know they've already toured Denver, Dallas, DC, and Chicago since January. We also already know that a decision probably won't come until the end of the year.

Triptychtwo · #**574** Posted **Mar 30, 2018, 8:13 PM**

Per AJC

Quote:

Amazon scouted downtown’s Gulch and multiple sites in Midtown as part of the visit, two of the people said.

So 3rd & Ponce? The Stitch? Maybe Metlife?

skyscraperpage17 · #**575** Posted **Mar 30, 2018, 9:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triptychtwo

Per AJC

So 3rd & Ponce? The Stitch? Maybe Metlife?

Source:

https://www.ajc.com/business/amazon-tour...dquarters-search/ymLFUn1Dj0hBAK6zF9yehJ/

They were here yesterday and today (perfect timing, while it was warm-ish). And UGH!!! if there's yet another shortlist.

ATLMidcity · #**576** Posted **Mar 30, 2018, 11:07 PM**

FYI (and just an observation)

Today while scouring midtown for any hints of new development, I saw a horde of (at least 15+) business men and women with roller suit/brief cases standing at the corner of W. Peachtree & North Ave. around 1 p.m.

I noticed them because you don't usually see a group of "suits" with "roller luggage" on the backside of BOA. They were across from the North Ave. MARTA station, and looked totally out of place.

Note: AT&T just recently vacated the entire headquarter building in midtown. Also, BOA is about 50% vacant and the lots across West Peachtree, there are huge surface parking lots that could easily accommodate 4-6 highrise building adjacent to the North Ave station. Towers in the range of 40 stories would fill in the skyline quiet nicely here.

Plus, there's another large surface lot on Peachtree and 3rd that is parking for the Fox. And don't forget that SoNo is ripe for development since the shelter has closed.

I STILL WANT HQ2 TO HAPPEN IN THE GULCH!

Just my 2 cents.

Atlanta3000 · #**577** Posted **Apr 2, 2018, 11:23 AM**

USA Today - Amazon's second headquarters search hits crunch time; one group warns 'it's a race to the bottom'

Doesn't look good for Philly.

Quote:

Philadelphia It's not exactly clear when Amazon came to Philadelphia. Mayor Jim Kenney only told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the Seattle team came for about a day and a half, but wouldn't say when or what they did, beyond that they didn't meet directly with him.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2018...e-group-warns-its-race-bottom/473705002/

montydawg · #**578** Posted **Apr 2, 2018, 1:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

USA Today - Amazon's second headquarters search hits crunch time; one group warns 'it's a race to the bottom'

Doesn't look good for Philly.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2018...e-group-warns-its-race-bottom/473705002/

It has been cold in Phili for the past 5 months, except for a 60 degree day last week. I'm guessing the Amazon execs don't want any local high pressure lobbyists breathing down their neck why they look at sites. Did we read that Atlanta city or state leaders met with Amazon while there were in Atlanta? I thought I read they were just spotted and there was no evidence they met with local leaders.

Atlanta3000 · #**579** Posted **Apr 2, 2018, 2:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by montydawg

It has been cold in Phili for the past 5 months, except for a 60 degree day last week. I'm guessing the Amazon execs don't want any local high pressure lobbyists breathing down their neck why they look at sites. Did we read that Atlanta city or state leaders met with Amazon while there were in Atlanta? I thought I read they were just spotted and there was no evidence they met with local leaders.

I think it is weird for Amazon to come do a site visit and not welcome the opportunity to meet the Mayor of the city on THEIR SHORT LIST. The USA Today article only noted this happening in Philly, but I remember reading Austin's Mayor didn't meet the Amazon executives. I believe Austin's Mayor is not receptive to giving any incentives and is concerned about their infrastructure. (re: Atlanta's Delegation Team for site visit) I have not heard the complete list, I did hear the CEO of Cousin's Properties and the CEO of North American Properties (the developer of Avalon and Colony Square) attended.

skyscraperpage17 · #**580** Posted **Apr 2, 2018, 3:55 PM**

Some interesting tidbits of information was shared in an article today from CNBC about Amazon HQ2...

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/02/amazon-hq2-visits-heres-what-executives-are-asking-about.html

EDIT: There's also this...

http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-hq2-visits-focus-on-education-2018-4