Amazon HQ2 bid - Page 41

Atlanta3000 · #**801** Posted **Jul 3, 2018, 10:37 PM**

Click on link below for the Video

http://www.cbs46.com/story/38567329/gulch-sets-deadline-for-bids

ATLANTA (CBS46) -

Documents obtained by CBS46 show The Gulch is now on the market and accepting bids.

And whats on page four of the State Properties Commission bid report, is the most newsworthy.

Sealed bids must be received by July 26th.

Meaning if Amazon or a phantom buyer on their behalf wants to make a move--they have just a little over three weeks to do so.

Nearly ten acres of undeveloped downtown space is up for grabs. The Gulch has long been eyed as a prime spot to land Amazon's $5 billion second headquarters.

Sources tell us a winning bid should be selected within about 60 days. That will then be public.

Amazon had no comment.

Atlanta3000 · #**802** Posted **Jul 3, 2018, 10:39 PM**

Link to Gulch Bid

http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/bid-documents/1841000406-74222132.pdf

skyscraperpage17 · #**803** Posted **Jul 3, 2018, 10:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Click on link below for the Video

http://www.cbs46.com/story/38567329/gulch-sets-deadline-for-bids

ATLANTA (CBS46) -

Documents obtained by CBS46 show The Gulch is now on the market and accepting bids.

And whats on page four of the State Properties Commission bid report, is the most newsworthy.

Sealed bids must be received by July 26th.

Meaning if Amazon or a phantom buyer on their behalf wants to make a move--they have just a little over three weeks to do so.

Nearly ten acres of undeveloped downtown space is up for grabs. The Gulch has long been eyed as a prime spot to land Amazon's $5 billion second headquarters.

Sources tell us a winning bid should be selected within about 60 days. That will then be public.

Amazon had no comment.

FWIW, if Amazon does select The Gulch and works through a developer (CIM) to build their campus, their name wouldn't show up as the buyer / landowner. So their plans will still be a mystery.

The timing, however, is interesting given that Amazon just recently mentioned it may take a couple more months for them to release a new shortlist.

bigstick · #**804** Posted **Jul 3, 2018, 11:39 PM**

I am truly sick of Amazon....

trainiac · #**805** Posted **Jul 4, 2018, 3:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigstick

I am truly sick of Amazon....

One thing it has done is defined a new normal for American cities. Normal from the 1960's to 10 years ago just wasn't working to make healthy central places for people to live.

James Fallows new "Our Towns" book does a good job of defining a new normal for smaller towns across America. Atlanta library also has the Kindle version

Here are my notes:
https://bit.ly/2NmDPSu

These are dynamic movements improving people's lives and helping them love where they live. A better narrative than the one I grew up hearing

Libertarian · #**806** Posted **Jul 4, 2018, 5:21 PM**

Your notes sync up nicely with my Independence meditations.

Artemis · #**807** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 1:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

I have a source that said Amazon is in talks to lease 1 Million sqft in the AT&T building in Midtown. The reason I think it will be next week is the city of Seattle is voting to impose a $75 Million a year tax on Amazon to fund their homeless programs. I think Amazon will want to send them a message before the vote on May 11th.

Hi Atlanta3000, is this still true? Any update?
Thanks.

Atlanta3000 · #**808** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 1:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artemis

Hi Atlanta3000, is this still true? Any update?
Thanks.

As far as I know nothing has changed. Coincidentally, AT&T is vacating their 675 West Peachtree office Q4 of this year freeing up over 1 Million sqft. I suspect Amazon must had put a letter of intent on the property because none of the Commercial Real Estate brokers have this property listed for lease.

skyscraperpage17 · #**809** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 1:40 PM**

Now rumors are starting to go around that Amazon will ramp up HQ2 much more slowly than previously indicated in the RFP, because their business plans have been revised. Part of it was in fact related to the head tax in Seattle. The rumored change is being described as a "letdown."

Also, another rumor starting to go around is that they're reconsidering some of the previously rejected cities/sites.

Not sure how true any of this is, so take it FWIW (a grain of salt).

montydawg · #**810** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 1:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

Now rumors are starting to go around that Amazon will ramp up HQ2 much more slowly than previously indicated in the RFP, because their business plans have been revised. Part of it was in fact related to the head tax in Seattle. The rumored change is being described as a "letdown."

Also, another rumor starting to go around is that they're reconsidering some of the previously rejected cities/sites.

Not sure how true any of this is, so take it FWIW (a grain of salt).

I bet all the incentives packages are crafted around the 50k job figure.

skyscraperpage17 · #**811** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 1:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by montydawg

I bet all the incentives packages are crafted around the 50k job figure.

But of course!

Atlanta3000 · #**812** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 1:48 PM**

Hmmm...

This may be a complete coincidence, but the CoA Planning Viewer is not working and has not worked for several day. The public can use this website to view land parcels and building details, see who owns a parcel, view taxes paid on a particular parcel and what parcels have sold.

I wonder what the CoA is trying to hide from the public?

Broken
http://gis.atlantaga.gov/dpcdviewer/

skyscraperpage17 · #**813** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 1:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Hmmm...

This may be a complete coincidence, but the CoA Planning Viewer is not working and has not worked for several day. The public can use this website to view land parcels and building details, see who owns a parcel, view taxes paid on a particular parcel and what parcels have sold.

I wonder what the CoA is trying to hide from the public?

Broken
http://gis.atlantaga.gov/dpcdviewer/

I use the below site when trying to view land sales and ownership in Coweta County. It looks like records for Fulton County (incliding the CofA) are maintained there as well.

https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?AppID=936&LayerID=18251&PageTypeID=1&PageID=0

Mentallect · #**814** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 3:39 PM**

Amazon will choose the DC region because cost of living is at the very bottom of requirements, but quality of the work force is at the top.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/28/companie...are-less-about-your-quality-of-life.html

skyscraperpage17 · #**815** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 4:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mentallect

Amazon will choose the DC region because cost of living is at the very bottom of requirements, but quality of the work force is at the top.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/28/companie...are-less-about-your-quality-of-life.html

First of all, those rankings were based on the combined feedback from several CFOs at different companies on CNBC's panel (a panel that doesn't even include Amazon's CFO).

Second, what those CFOs see as most important may not necessarily align with what Amazon's CFO sees as most important.

Lastly, that survey doesn't account for the fact that CFOs don't unilaterally make important business decisions such as where to expand and relocate without consulting other employees and executives within the company whose opinions of what's most important may differ.

Mentallect · #**816** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 4:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

First of all, those rankings were based on the combined feedback from several CFOs at different companies on CNBC's panel (a panel that doesn't even include Amazon's CFO).

Second, what those CFOs see as most important may not necessarily align with what Amazon's CFO sees as most important.

Lastly, that survey doesn't account for the fact thwmat CFOs don't unilaterally make important business decisions such as where to expand and relocate without consulting other employees and executives within the company whose opinions of what's most important may differ.

All you said it true. I counter that Amazon's leadership gives only a 1% match on 401Ks and has brutal time requirements at its factories. That indicates Quality of Life is not most important to them, but productivity and profit margin. Amazon can only be stopped by regulation from the govt, so its no large jump to think Bezos will want to locate its second HQ near the largest threat to Amazon's existence and near his newly renovated throne.

Atlanta3000 · #**817** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 4:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mentallect

Amazon will choose the DC region because cost of living is at the very bottom of requirements, but quality of the work force is at the top.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/28/companie...are-less-about-your-quality-of-life.html

If that is case, how do you explain why Atlanta, Austin, Dallas and Houston consistently receive the bulk of corporate relocations and have the highest number of jobs y-o-y than the DC Metro area?

BTW - I grew up in Williamsburg, VA and lived 8+ years in Arlington.

Mentallect · #**818** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 4:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

First of all, those rankings were based on the combined feedback from several CFOs at different companies on CNBC's panel (a panel that doesn't even include Amazon's CFO).

Second, what those CFOs see as most important may not necessarily align with what Amazon's CFO sees as most important.

Lastly, that survey doesn't account for the fact that CFOs don't unilaterally make important business decisions such as where to expand and relocate without consulting other employees and executives within the company whose opinions of what's most important may differ.

Even the WP recognizes the only real danger to Amazon is the US gov't. Bezos would be a fool to not stay ahead of threat, especially when Trump is undermining Amazon monthly.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...568db8_story.html?utm_term=.a66f17e2e41f

Atlanta3000 · #**819** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 4:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mentallect

All you said it true. I counter that Amazon's leadership gives only a 1% match on 401Ks and has brutal time requirements at its factories. That indicates Quality of Life is not most important to them, but productivity and profit margin. Amazon can only be stopped by regulation from the govt, so its no large jump to think Bezos will want to locate its second HQ near the largest threat to Amazon's existence and near his newly renovated throne.

Wrong - companies don't move their HQ to influence government, they hire lobbyist. If Amazon tries to confront the government/Donald Trump on directly they risk a boycott of 40%+ of their US customer base. The political risk associated with moving HQ2 to NOVA is the biggest reason I believe Amazon is not going to select any of the cities in the DC Metro.

Atlanta3000 · #**820** Posted **Jul 5, 2018, 4:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mentallect

Even the WP recognizes the only real danger to Amazon is the US gov't. Bezos would be a fool to not stay ahead of threat, especially when Trump is undermining Amazon monthly.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...568db8_story.html?utm_term=.a66f17e2e41f

Amazon has $170 Billion in revenue and 550K employees
Wal-Mart has $450 Billion in revenue and 2.2 Million employees

Net, net - Amazon has several years before the government could try and regulate them.