Amazon HQ2 thread

[Gordo]

Originally Posted by mrnyc

^ also amazon is more than double walmart. its the walmart of the internet, and then some.

What? Are we talking about revenue? Walmart is almost triple the revenue of Amazon still, which is why I was pointing out how ridiculous it is to point to revenue of Amazon's various lines of business to say that Amazon is mostly just a retailer.

[The North One]

Originally Posted by toddguy

This. 200 plus cities whoring themselves out in such a disgraceful way to a trillion dollar company run by the richest man in the world..when he knew all along (his 'gut' has not changed one bit-he knew it was DC). Wonder how many billions they promised him?

I think it says a lot about the state of this country if we're internally fighting over a company like this.

[toddguy]

Originally Posted by toddguy

I was actually wondering that myself just now. I did not read anything but I will look. Also I am not sure a tornado warning was issued which might explain much. Will look into it.

*Interested also since they are currently building a huge Amazon warehouse for 1,500 employees less than a mile from where I live. And of course this area in general can use those warehouse jobs.

Well it looks like there was not a tornado warning on this storm at the time, and that it peaked right when it hit the warehouse. Many people ran to the safe spaces per worker accounts anyway. It looks like the two victims had not. Really looks just like bad luck that two people got crushed by a fallen wall without enough time for everyone to be warned and get to shelter.

Originally Posted by The North One

I think it says a lot about the state of this country if we're internally fighting over a company like this.

This was an extraordinary case with so much on the line. I just don't know why they had to go through this circus though-especially if you are just going to go with instincts. Why not just gather info quietly and then make the decision?-oh right!-no way to get billions in concessions by having cities compete against one another like desperate crackwhores!

And many cities/states are just that desperate given it is such a winner/loser economy (and society) now.

*and not just this society-Mexico and Canada got in on the whoring as well.

[N90]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Also where did all this "it's being split between Austin and Crystal City" speculation even come from? I've read nothing to that effect in the media.

CNBC

Crystal City, Dallas and New York City are all said to be in the mix, as the retail giant closes in on a self-imposed deadline to make the closely watched decision.

Separately, sources told CNBC that Amazon and local officials had a "very productive" and "very long" conference call on Friday. A potential incentive package may include a "very generous" transportation incentive to alleviate traffic fears, as well as educational aspects to ensure Amazon has a pipeline to a skilled workforce.

These sources told CNBC that a final decision is "close" and may come down to Northern Virginia or Austin, Texas — or perhaps a split between both cities.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/03/amazon-r...es-of-naming-va-as-2nd-headquarters.html

Looks like Atlanta, where I live, was never in it. They didn't get a second visit from AMZN's team, they haven't been visited by Bezos' private jet, Bezos hasn't talked to any economic forums in ATL, and they aren't getting any late consideration from the company according to these so called sources. Also all of the other cities that are being cited as still in the mix or the cities AMZN is zeroing in on are in states where Bezos has a residence which means he has experience and leverage in those locations (NY, TX, DC area).

[skyscraperpage17]

Originally Posted by toddguy

And many cities/states are just that desperate given it is such a winner/loser economy (and society) now.

*and not just this society-Mexico and Canada got in on the whoring as well.

Yep!

I posted this before, but it doesn't hurt to repeat it...

Amazon's HQ2 and the Rise of Big-Ticket Megadeals

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.citylab.com/amp/article/539427/

"It is little known, but the total supply of economic development deals for which states and localities could compete crashed, severely, even before the Great Recession. The chart below is our compilation of total deals (not necessarily incentive deals, but facility openings or expansions of every kind as tracked by Conway Data, Inc. for its Site Selection magazine’s annual Governors’ Cup award).

After peaking in 1999, the annual number of deals crashed by three-fifths through 2007, i.e., prior to the recession. It dipped a little more during 2008-2010, but as of 2016 had still not recovered to even 45 percent of 1999 levels. (The persistent dip is actually worse: Conway Data liberalized its definition of a deal around 2008.)"

[BrownTown]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

If this is really how the world is going to work, now, then why doesn’t every corporation move their HQ to DC? Why even have other cities at all?

Last I checked, members of Congress represent their own districts in their home States, not the people of Washington, DC.

Maybe we need to get rid of the concept of a Capital city? After all, with modern technology, why can’t members of Congress do their jobs from offices in their home State?

You say this like it's some new revelation when it's really just buisness as usual. Amazon is dangerously close to being a monopoly in online retailing so obviously they need to keep DC happy. It's no different than all the defense companies with huge headquarters in DC.

[skyscraperpage17]

Originally Posted by BrownTown

You say this like it's some new revelation when it's really just buisness as usual. Amazon is dangerously close to being a monopoly in online retailing so obviously they need to keep DC happy. It's no different than all the defense companies with huge headquarters in DC.

I work in the defense/aerospace industry, and I can tell you whatever presence these companies have in DC has nothing to do with lobbying efforts.

Of the largest contractors, only 3 (General Dynamocs, Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman) are actually HQ'd in DC. And the main reason is so they can easily poach talent (specifically individuals who already have security clearances) from government agencies.

[toddguy]

Originally Posted by BrownTown

You say this like it's some new revelation when it's really just buisness as usual. Amazon is dangerously close to being a monopoly in online retailing so obviously they need to keep DC happy. It's no different than all the defense companies with huge headquarters in DC.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/15/tech/jeff-bezos-wired/index.html

Well he has said he is willing to work with the DOD. And Crystal City is right across a freeway from the Pentagon-you could not get any closer. His "intuition" is just do whatever it takes to make more money and build the company even more while trying to build in some protections. He did not get to be the world's richest man for nothing. All of the speculation about his 'maybe wanting to help a city turn around" and all of the other stuff was just foolishness on our part.

Cold. Calculated. Business. Decision.

Bezos will probably help them create what will turn into a real life Skynet. smh.

[skyscraperpage17]

Amazon in Late-Stage Talks With Cities Including Crystal City, Va., Dallas, New York City for HQ2

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com...-dallas-new-york-city-for-hq2-1541359441

[IrishIllini]

Those cities could not be more different. I'm going to guess there are others who haven't leaked yet?

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

I work in the defense/aerospace industry, and I can tell you whatever presence these companies have in DC has nothing to do with lobbying efforts.

Of the largest contractors, only 3 (General Dynamocs, Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman) are actually HQ'd in DC. And the main reason is so they can easily poach talent (specifically individuals who already have security clearances) from government agencies.

Exactly. I'm surprised just how this concept evades people.

Members of Congress don't care about D.C., they care about their home States.

If you are in the defense industry then yes, being there matters--the Pentagon is there if you do lots of contracting with the Government then yes, there is an advantage to being located next to your customer.

But to be there just for lobbying--makes no sense. You don't need a local headquarters just to perform that role.

[N90]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com...-dallas-new-york-city-for-hq2-1541359441

Amazon in Late-Stage Talks With Cities Including Crystal City, Va., Dallas, New York City for HQ2

Amazon.com Inc. has progressed to late-stage talks on its planned second headquarters with a small handful of communities including northern Virginia’s Crystal City, Dallas and New York City, people familiar with the matter said, as it nears a final decision that could reshape both the tech giant and the location it chooses.

The ongoing talks with some local officials come as discussions appear to have cooled in some of the other 20 cities on Amazon’s shortlist, including Denver, Toronto, Atlanta, Nashville, Tenn., and Raleigh, N.C., according to people familiar with those situations.

The standing of other cities on Amazon’s list of 20, such as Newark, N.J., is less clear. Chicago and Miami had been until recently in contact with Amazon, but aren’t currently in negotiations, according to some of the people.

[toddguy]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Exactly. I'm surprised just how this concept evades people.

Members of Congress don't care about D.C., they care about their home States.

If you are in the defense industry then yes, being there matters--the Pentagon is there if you do lots of contracting with the Government then yes, there is an advantage to being located next to your customer.

But to be there just for lobbying--makes no sense. You don't need a local headquarters just to perform that role.

I would have thought that also...until Bezos crowed about willingness and wanting to working with the DOD. The having a house there and all did make me think the DC area had a good chance(and if fills many of the requirements) but this 'leak'-and especially the response to it-plus this other stuff makes me think it probably is this DC location.

[10023]

Chicago was out of the running the moment Rahm decided not to run for re-election. There’s too much risk that some nutjob like Chuy Garcia gets elected and the city takes several steps backward.

[The ATX]

I don't think we can say this is a done deal. After the Crystal City news CNBC said Austin was still in consideration, and the WSJ says NYC and Dallas are still in it. I suspect more news Orgs will be quoting unnamed sources saying other cities are still being considered.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by 10023

Chicago was out of the running the moment Rahm decided not to run for re-election. There’s too much risk that some nutjob like Chuy Garcia gets elected and the city takes several steps backward.

I don't think so. There are still some strong, practical contenders in there like Gery Chico, Bill Daley, and even Paul Vallas may not be bad.

Besides, didn't Chuy drop out?

[toddguy]

Originally Posted by The ATX

I don't think we can say this is a done deal. After the Crystal City news CNBC said Austin was still in consideration, and the WSJ says NYC and Dallas are still in it. I suspect more news Orgs will be quoting unnamed sources saying other cities are still being considered.

Did Austin get a second visit?

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by 10023

Chicago was out of the running the moment Rahm decided not to run for re-election. There’s too much risk that some nutjob like Chuy Garcia gets elected and the city takes several steps backward.

Amazon was recently in Chicago and Miami for a second visits. Dallas hasn't been mentioned by anyone in months, yet they're allegedly in late-stage discussions. Still seems like it's DC.

Rahm would have left office eventually and a populist-type candidate could rise anywhere. I wish I could cast my vote for Rahm, but we'll find a way without him.

[Yuri]

As government keeps growing unchecked, more and more we'll see private enterprises looking to be closer to the "palace". It's a shame.

[N90]

Originally Posted by IrishIllini

Amazon was recently in Chicago and Miami for a second visits. Dallas hasn't been mentioned by anyone in months, yet they're allegedly in late-stage discussions. Still seems like it's DC.

Rahm would have left office eventually and a populist-type candidate could rise anywhere. I wish I could cast my vote for Rahm, but we'll find a way without him.

Bezos is already familiar with the Dallas downtown sites. He spoke at SMU in April just a few blocks from some of the proposed sites.

https://blog.smu.edu/smumagazine/2018/05/amazon-founder-ceo-speak-smu-april-20/

It's still going to DC imo but they probably do have 2 or 3 more finalists that they're working with too.