Amazon HQ2 bid

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by mhays

Two near impossibilities...

File suit to protest a site selection? Not only difficult to win, but a horrific message to other companies you might want to pursue.

If it went high enough up the courts, IMO it could set a great precedent to not bilk government bodies of taxes and could encourage more cities/regions/states to actually leverage taxes on the constituents rather than on adding to profits of corporate entities. Competing for corporations in general is bad for constituents, despite increased job opportunities that may come for it. If you were not allowed to incentive the corporations, governments would use taxes on thing such as *gasp* transportation improvements, education, arts, and assistance programs.

[skyscraperpage17]

Originally Posted by mhays

Add a city? The new city would look like a huge longshot, even with the understanding that Amazon's criteria could be in flux. As a PR ploy it would be jumping the shark, and for what?

Someone on the other forum seemed to speculate, based on whatever they know about how Amazon operates as a company, that they may in fact be reconsidering some of the previously rejected cities.

Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me. I know a lot of us were shocked before by the cities that made the previous shortlist and the cities that didn't, and Amazon could second guess their choices. You never know.

That being said, this person also made it clear that they have no formal ties to Amazon nor any involvement in this search, so they may have just been blowing smoke. Plus, it would definitely cause quiye a bit of tension between the original 20 cities that were shortlisted.

[ATLswede]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

If it went high enough up the courts, IMO it could set a great precedent to not bilk government bodies of taxes and could encourage more cities/regions/states to actually leverage taxes on the constituents rather than on adding to profits of corporate entities. Competing for corporations in general is bad for constituents, despite increased job opportunities that may come for it. If you were not allowed to incentive the corporations, governments would use taxes on thing such as *gasp* transportation improvements, education, arts, and assistance programs.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow your roll there buddy! If you keep mentioning "socialist" concepts like decent and affordable public education, arts funding, and transportation improvements, you might scare off all the good ole boy developers in this forum. For any of the Amazon HQ2 team employees reading this, please rest assured we Atlantans would be more than happy to let our schools and public infrastucture crumble if it means we can pad your profit margins!

[Calidreaming01]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

Someone on the other forum seemed to speculate, based on whatever they know about how Amazon operates as a company, that they may in fact be reconsidering some of the previously rejected cities.

Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me. I know a lot of us were shocked before by the cities that made the previous shortlist and the cities that didn't, and Amazon could second guess their choices. You never know.

That being said, this person also made it clear that they have no formal ties to Amazon nor any involvement in this search, so they may have just been blowing smoke. Plus, it would definitely cause quiye a bit of tension between the original 20 cities that were shortlisted.

I think whoever it was speculating was just upset their favorite city didn't make the cut.

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by ATLswede

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow your roll there buddy! If you keep mentioning "socialist" concepts like decent and affordable public education, arts funding, and transportation improvements, you might scare off all the good ole boy developers in this forum. For any of the Amazon HQ2 team employees reading this, please rest assured we Atlantans would be more than happy to let our schools and public infrastucture crumble if it means we can pad your profit margins!

Hah! Loved your response. And next thing you know they'll realize we have some amazing ethnic diversity in Atlanta and our colleges (GT, Emory, GSU)! In all seriousness though, I believe Amazon would enjoy knowing there are true progressives in the southeast.

IMO, Atlanta is on the cusp of becoming a truly brilliant city so long as we continue to plan ahead and put out some lofty and progressive goals for ourselves. With more and more infill occurring within 3 miles of the city core and the waves of migrants (domestic and international) to the city, Atlanta could be a model to be celebrated throughout the south.

[skyscraperpage17]

In a lot of ways, Atlanta does have the same type of quirkiness that attracted Bezos to Seattle.

There was an article discussing that much months ago.

That said, not sure if that matters to Amazon now, or if they'll pick up on those quirky similarities.

[908kiddo]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

In a lot of ways, Atlanta does have the same type of quirkiness that attracted Bezos to Seattle.

There was an article discussing that much months ago.

That said, not sure if that matters to Amazon now, or if they'll pick up on those quirky similarities.

I'm honestly surprised that this exact point is constantly overlooked.

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

In a lot of ways, Atlanta does have the same type of quirkiness that attracted Bezos to Seattle.

There was an article discussing that much months ago.

That said, not sure if that matters to Amazon now, or if they'll pick up on those quirky similarities.

Atlanta has a great arts scene, too. IMO, it's just overshadowed by our generic corporate scene. If I led the Amazon contingency in Atlanta I'd give them the corporate spiel, then show off the funkier sides of town with a mural, gallery, live performance venues, and food sampling tour throughout the neighborhoods.

[Khantilever]

Originally Posted by Calidreaming01

I think Amazon has milked this thing for all it's worth so I don't think they are going to create more buzz, but they may be able to eke out a few more incentives out of the winner.

It seems highly unlikely to me that Amazon has both

1) made a final decision and is making real, tangible moves in Atlanta; while
2) simultaneously dragging out the process to get more incentives.

News of real moves on the ground inevitably leak—as evidenced by this thread—and if it is revealed at any time before the end of the process that Amazon has already decided on a city, only Amazon will lose. Other cities’ leaders will be less willing to risk political capital on extravagant incentives when they know there’s no potential upside. And, what’s worse, Atlanta/GA officials will be pressured, in turn, to offer less as well—every dollar you bid beyond the second-highest bid is a wasted dollar.

So what could Amazon possibly gain from dragging out the process if they’ve already decided? My guess is there will be one or more consolation prizes, as has been rumored—such as smaller, regional offices. Or, it could be that Amazon hasn’t decided in Atlanta and these rumors are false. Or, it could be that Amazon is indeed making moves but nothing that isn’t reversible if other cities can convince them. But it’s practically irrational to begin the process of moving to Atlanta before the bidding is complete.

[Calidreaming01]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

In a lot of ways, Atlanta does have the same type of quirkiness that attracted Bezos to Seattle.

There was an article discussing that much months ago.

That said, not sure if that matters to Amazon now, or if they'll pick up on those quirky similarities.

I totally agree.

Particularly on the music scene, when I think of Seattle, I think of grunge, and when I think of Atlanta, I think of trap.

Also, I think it's going to lead to further gentrification and a similar type of outcry that happened in Seattle. The people who made it a fun, quirky place will probably be kicked out, just like in Seattle.

[GTAlum]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

I shared what I have with a major CRE Reporter and he agrees I found the smoking gun. He is working on the story and I will give you an ETA when I have it. BE VERY EXCITED FOLKS!

Atl3k- why do you not break the news and share with us? The reporter is obviously not going to release the story. He either determined it to be fake news or

[atlwarrior]

Originally Posted by Calidreaming01

I totally agree.

Particularly on the music scene, when I think of Seattle, I think of grunge, and when I think of Atlanta, I think of trap.

Also, I think it's going to lead to further gentrification and a similar type of outcry that happened in Seattle. The people who made it a fun, quirky place will probably be kicked out, just like in Seattle.

What people the homeless in downtown Atlanta.

[Triptychtwo]

Originally Posted by GTAlum

Atl3k- why do you not break the news and share with us? The reporter is obviously not going to release the story. He either determined it to be fake news or

Probably determined it was impossible to be 100% (or even close to 75%) certain about the available information. Looks like it might align, but there's no way he's going to press with the information available. Unless he could get a separate anonymous confirmation.

[Libertarian]

MGM Resorts is keeping it under wraps due to the political uncertainty.

[atlwarrior]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

If it went high enough up the courts, IMO it could set a great precedent to not bilk government bodies of taxes and could encourage more cities/regions/states to actually leverage taxes on the constituents rather than on adding to profits of corporate entities. Competing for corporations in general is bad for constituents, despite increased job opportunities that may come for it. If you were not allowed to incentive the corporations, governments would use taxes on thing such as *gasp* transportation improvements, education, arts, and assistance programs.

We definitely don't want to bilk government bodies, but the games has changed, especially since Technology is so much father than any set policy that local governments must catch up. Its much harder being reactive versus pro-active.

[skyscraperpage17]

I just caught wind of the below article.

It's merely a rumor that could be completely unrelated to HQ2, but it still makes you go "hmmm..."

https://patch.com/virginia/arlington-va/...mail&utm_term=weather&utm_campaign=alert

ARLINGTON, VA -- It's no secret that Northern Virginia is a frontrunner to land Amazon's massive second headquarters. And it's no secret that developer JBG Smith has plenty of projects in the Arlington area. What is a secret is where Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will actually put this second headquarters, but one report suggests that he may buy JBG Smith -- and that could have huge implications for Arlington County.

JBG Smith Properties, Inc., is based on Chevy Chase, Md., but the developer owns lots of property in Arlington, especially in Crystal City.

The Washington Business Journal reports that there have been plenty of rumors -- albeit unfounded ones, it acknowledges -- that Bezos is considering personally acquiring JBG Smith, which would pave the way for him to put his new headquarters in prime NoVa real estate that JBG already owns. The report pinpoints Crystal City in Arlington as a frontrunner if that happens, and for good reason: the developer owns no fewer than 21 of Crystal City's buildings, spanning millions of square feet in space.

[Calidreaming01]

Originally Posted by GTAlum

Atl3k- why do you not break the news and share with us? The reporter is obviously not going to release the story. He either determined it to be fake news or

I think the info Atlanta3000 has is probably valid, but I can imagine that Amazon has a team of attorneys that would fight tooth and nail against the release of any inside info. Everyone close to the process has had to sign confidentiality agreements and I'd imagine they can claim some of it is a trade secret or something.

I think the little dribs and drabs we've been getting is probably the best we're going to get until there is an official announcement.

[Atlanta3000]

This could not have come at a worse time for DC.

Agriculture to move two agencies outside of Greater Washington — and Quickly

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s...3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-b-1

The Department of Agriculture is planning to relocate two D.C.-based subagencies outside of Greater Washington and in rather quick fashion, citing, among other reasons, problems recruiting personnel to the region.

The executive department responsible for overseeing farming, forestry and food announced last week its Economic Research Service, a provider of research on agriculture and economics, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a consolidator of federally funded agriculture research, would both move outside the National Capital Region by the end of 2019.

Both are currently based in Southwest D.C. — the ERS within Patriots Plaza at 355 E. St. SW and the NIFA in Waterfront Centre at 800 Ninth St. SW.

New locations have not been determined and it’s possible the two subagencies will be co-located, according to last week’s announcement.

The Agriculture Department says it is shifting the two offices and their hundreds of employees to place them “closer to stakeholders”…

[skyscraperpage17]

It'll be interesting to see what places they're considering.

[smArTaLlone]

https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--pol...2gFcP/amp.html?__twitter_impression=true

The city of Atlanta and the developer of downtown’s Gulch are negotiating a potential 10-figure incentive package for a mini-city pitched as a possible second headquarters site for Amazon, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has learned.

An undated document obtained by the AJC and Channel 2 Action News outlines proposed public financing of $900 million for a $3.5 billion development that includes office towers, apartments, retail and hotels on a newly created grid of downtown streets.

The public financing could climb to $1.75 billion if developer CIM Group’s project meets its full potential of $5 billion in new construction, the document shows. Financing costs could push the figure even higher.