Amazon HQ2 bid

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by ATLSkyPalaceOwner

Right - this is far from a "smoking gun" in my opinion.

I have negotiated a lot of contracts in my day. So trust when I say, to get to this point means Atlanta is the pick unless some unforeseen event happens.

The CoA and Invest Atlanta would not put together a 600 page contract and have the Mayor show up at the City Council meeting yesterday pleading that she and the Governor need this signed by Monday, if it was still competitive. If it was still competitive the public wouldn't know the details that I shared this morning. Make sense?

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by wonshirim

Oh okay I see your reasoning. I was saying:

if 675 Peachtree lease happened -> no other city left in the race

else -> possibility of another city remaining with their own final offer cannot be completely ruled out.

I agree you found the key evidence though. Great job man.

BTW - that important paragraph i found was buried in 600+ pages.

[wonshirim]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

BTW - that important paragraph i found was buried in 600+ pages.

Worth a read: https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--pol...ttoms-gulch-deal/xEW5bIXZM9BCaSfXsgTh0J/

"Bottoms’ worries seemed more related to the optics of any delay. The unnamed Fortune 500company wanted a land deal completed last quarter, she said.

Last week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Virginia-based railroad giant Norfolk Southern is considering Atlanta for a new headquarters, and land the railroad holds in the Gulch is part of the delicate negotiations for the headquarters and to redevelop downtown.

After media publicity, Bottoms said the corporation’s home state, which was not disclosed, started aggressively negotiating to keep the company. She asked the committee to pass the legislation to the Finance/Executive committee, even if it was without a favorable recommendation, to keep the process moving along.

Bottoms said she was contacted by Gov. Nathan Deal, who expressed concerns a delay could scuttle the negotiation for the company’s headquarters. As she spoke, the room crowded with lawyers, representatives of the developer and other members of council.

“I would not be here feeling the way I do today asking for you all to pass this … if it would not put this corporate relocation in jeopardy,” Bottoms said"

[GTAlum]

Originally Posted by wonshirim

Worth a read: https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--pol...ttoms-gulch-deal/xEW5bIXZM9BCaSfXsgTh0J/

"Bottoms’ worries seemed more related to the optics of any delay. The unnamed Fortune 500company wanted a land deal completed last quarter, she said.

Last week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Virginia-based railroad giant Norfolk Southern is considering Atlanta for a new headquarters, and land the railroad holds in the Gulch is part of the delicate negotiations for the headquarters and to redevelop downtown.

After media publicity, Bottoms said the corporation’s home state, which was not disclosed, started aggressively negotiating to keep the company. She asked the committee to pass the legislation to the Finance/Executive committee, even if it was without a favorable recommendation, to keep the process moving along.

Bottoms said she was contacted by Gov. Nathan Deal, who expressed concerns a delay could scuttle the negotiation for the company’s headquarters. As she spoke, the room crowded with lawyers, representatives of the developer and other members of council.

“I would not be here feeling the way I do today asking for you all to pass this … if it would not put this corporate relocation in jeopardy,” Bottoms said"

I don't see this statement pointing to Amazon/ Seattle. Thoughts?

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by wonshirim

Worth a read: https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--pol...ttoms-gulch-deal/xEW5bIXZM9BCaSfXsgTh0J/

"Bottoms’ worries seemed more related to the optics of any delay. The unnamed Fortune 500company wanted a land deal completed last quarter, she said.

Last week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Virginia-based railroad giant Norfolk Southern is considering Atlanta for a new headquarters, and land the railroad holds in the Gulch is part of the delicate negotiations for the headquarters and to redevelop downtown.

After media publicity, Bottoms said the corporation’s home state, which was not disclosed, started aggressively negotiating to keep the company. She asked the committee to pass the legislation to the Finance/Executive committee, even if it was without a favorable recommendation, to keep the process moving along.

Bottoms said she was contacted by Gov. Nathan Deal, who expressed concerns a delay could scuttle the negotiation for the company’s headquarters. As she spoke, the room crowded with lawyers, representatives of the developer and other members of council.

“I would not be here feeling the way I do today asking for you all to pass this … if it would not put this corporate relocation in jeopardy,” Bottoms said"

I watched the City Council meeting online yesterday and one of the Councilman asked Mayor Bottoms if the urgency concerned the HQ relocation of Norfolk Southern reported in the AJC. Mayor Bottoms said this urgency is not related to what the AJC is reporting.


BTW- Norfolk Southern has less than $20 Billion in revenue.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by GTAlum

I don't see this statement pointing to Amazon/ Seattle. Thoughts?

I am purely speculating, but if you read the paragraph below it alludes to the potential Atlanta could be the HQ1 or HQ2 for the "relocated company". I am sure Amazon is leveraging the incentives and governmental policies in Atlanta/GA and are telling Seattle/WA you need to guarantee us (X) or we will formally relocate our Seattle HQ to Atlanta.

[Ant131531]

Probably the most convincing thing you've posted so far and it's not purely speculative either. I'll admit...even I'm more alert now.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

Probably the most convincing thing you've posted so far and it's not purely speculative either. I'll admit...even I'm more alert now.

Ant131531 - I'm not just a pretty face.

[jpk1292000]

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...os-board-are-in-dc-this-week-no-hq2.html

[GTAlum]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

I am purely speculating, but if you read the paragraph below it alludes to the potential Atlanta could be the HQ1 or HQ2 for the "relocated company". I am sure Amazon is leveraging the incentives and governmental policies in Atlanta/GA and are telling Seattle/WA you need to guarantee us (X) or we will formally relocate our Seattle HQ to Atlanta.

Potentially... I also look at that statement and read that the project (all of CIM development in the Gulch) anticipates the creation of 40k jobs. Not necessarily just the company relocating their HQ or creating a HQ2. Also not defining that the development has to create 40k jobs.

Really all that states is the company relocating here has to have a revenue of >$50B. Which is great but there are >50 companies that fit that category.

I think you're right though ATL3k and this is alluding to Amazon. Thanks for continuing to bring us more and more information.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by jpk1292000

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...os-board-are-in-dc-this-week-no-hq2.html

My thoughts: exactly what the headline reads - no HQ2 news planned

[skyscraperpage17]

delete

[skyscraperpage17]

Originally Posted by wonshirim

How can you say with certainty that Atlanta is the only candidate remaining? Considering the conditional clause in the document, my guess is we can't completely rule out the possibility of Atlanta and perhaps 1 other finalist duking it out.

If you have conclusive evidence that Amazon signed the 675 Peachtree lease, then it's a different story. You're speculating here though--is my reading correct?

Originally Posted by ATLSkyPalaceOwner

Right - this is far from a "smoking gun" in my opinion.

Agreed with the both of you.

As far as the signing of the lease, even that's stilll not necessarily a smoking gun. How do we know it's not for another project besides HQ2?

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

Agreed with the both of you.

As far as the signing of the lease, even that's stilll not necessarily a smoking gun. How do we know it's not for another project besides HQ2?

How many other $50+ Billion companies are you aware that are looking to create 40K+ jobs?

I am only aware of one - AMAZON. But it sounds like have a juicy scoop to share with the group. Spill the beans S-17!

[Atlanta3000]

The story is going to be covered by several sources this afternoon. Stay tuned....

[skyscraperpage17]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

My thoughts: exactly what the headline reads - no HQ2 news planned

What about your source that said some type pf anouncement would come from Amazon this week? Is that still expected to happen?

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

What about your source that said some type pf anouncement would come from Amazon this week? Is that still expected to happen?

My source said 2 months ago in approx 60 days (or Sept 10th or the week of Sept 10th) Atlanta would get a confirmation from Amazon. Don't ask me to elaborate because that is verbatim what I was told.

Now let's get back to your prior post.

[skyscraperpage17]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

How many other $50+ Billion companies are you aware that are looking to create 40K+ jobs?

I am only aware of one - AMAZON. But it sounds like have a juicy scoop to share with the group. Spill the beans S-17!

I have no doubt the effort being put into all of this is to lure Amazon.

But as the other posters stated, it's just the use of words such as "conditional" and "anticipates" that still leave me skeptical that Amazon has definitely chosen Atlanta.

[Triptychtwo]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

I have no doubt the effort being put into all of this is to lure Amazon.

ImBut as the posters stated, it's just the use of words such as "conditional" and "anticipates" that still leave me skeptical that Amazon has definitely chosen Atlanta.

Nothing is definitive, but when you have a public process voting on an incentive package which aligns very specifically with the RFP for HQ2, you have a city that has reached the final hurdle. No other city or municipality (that I am aware of) is getting the legislative authority to provide these types of incentives. Deal has said he would call a special session to provide these, but when the entire deal is happening within the COA, there is no need to have the state legislator vote to incentivize.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

I have no doubt the effort being put into all of this is to lure Amazon.

But as the other posters stated, it's just the use of words such as "conditional" and "anticipates" that still leave me skeptical that Amazon has definitely chosen Atlanta.

Every contract has this type of language. It is encase of an unforeseen event that has material impact. It gives either party the ability to dissolve the agreement. The Agreement lays out possible conditions - somewhere in the 600 pages because I read it.