Amazon HQ2 bid - Page 99

paytonc · #**1961** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 5:01 AM**

NYT is reporting that NYC, specifically Long Island City in northwest Queens, is the second of two sites.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgrath618

Honestly? I think everyone on here should feel robbed.
Amazon had specifically stated they wanted to be in a dense urban area with access to public transit, decently affordable living, and a large city culture to go with it.

No, they didn't. When the RFP was released, I went through and ranked all the factors mentioned:
https://westnorth.com/2017/09/11/whats-actually-important-in-amazons-hq2-rfp/

Cost of living was mentioned at the very lowest tier ("also, provide information on this"). Ongoing costs of occupancy were of middling importance.

What was of "paramount importance," i.e., highest priority? "Finding suitable buildings/sites." That apparently meant space that could occupied, and expanded, quickly, and filled with qualified employees -- and they chose the metros with the #2 and #3 largest populations of programmers. (Bay Area is #1, Seattle is #4.) And they found either existing, already under construction, or shovel-ready buildings in both NYC and Arlington that fit their expansion timeline. They bought off-the-shelf ready-to-wear from the stores with the biggest selections; they did not opt for futuristic and transformative and complicated and visionary.

Also, fun fact: Crystal City was built in the 1970s and 1980s as a pioneering example in transit-oriented high-rise development, with direct connections from Metro right into office building lobbies. The federal government moved 30,000 defense and patent office employees out from Crystal City in the 1990s and 2000s. It was possible for tens of thousands of people to take Metro to work there then, and it's possible now.

Labtec · #**1962** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 5:57 AM**

DC & NYC, the two cities where Bezos have homes in besides Seattle.

skyscraperpage17 · #**1963** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 1:13 PM**

And some of the responses are hilarious.

I guess they do say the first stage of grief is denial.

scania · #**1964** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 1:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

And some of the responses are hilarious.

I guess they do say the first stage of grief is denial.

Lol. Agreed!!! It’s hilarious.

jct3 · #**1965** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 2:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by scania

Lol. Agreed!!! It’s hilarious.

ATL3K is tripling down -- he says on Twitter that news is coming November 13th. His Twitter sure is interesting reading.

skyscraperpage17 · #**1966** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 2:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jct3

ATL3K is tripling down -- he says on Twitter that news is coming November 13th. His Twitter sure is interesting reading.

Just like all of the other dates he's named that have come and gone with no fanfare?

And Indeed as far as the bolded.

jpk1292000 · #**1967** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

Just like all of the other dates he's named that have come and gone with no fanfare?

And Indeed as far as the bolded.

While the latest articles we're all seeing put Atlanta's chances very low, it's technically not a done deal yet. So I'll reserve my "I told you so" until an official announcement is made.

SteveD · #**1968** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 3:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpk1292000

While the latest articles we're all seeing put Atlanta's chances very low, it's technically not a done deal yet. So I'll reserve my "I told you so" until an official announcement is made.

Front page story in the New York Times today names Crystal City and Long Island City in Queens. It sure sounded as close to a done deal as it can prior to the actual Amazon announcement.

scania · #**1969** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 4:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveD

Front page story in the New York Times today names Crystal City and Long Island City in Queens. It sure sounded as close to a done deal as it can prior to the actual Amazon announcement.

That and also including that Governor Deal has said there hasn’t been any talks since March.

atlwarrior · #**1970** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 8:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by scania

That and also including that Governor Deal has said there hasn’t been any talks since March.

Nothing is finally until the final contract is executed.

Triptychtwo · #**1971** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 8:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jct3

ATL3K is tripling down -- he says on Twitter that news is coming November 13th. His Twitter sure is interesting reading.

Probably not Amazon related news, but that's the date of the special legislative session called...I would assume he's assuming it's on the agenda to vote on incentives for Amazon.

I don't really understand the chest-thumping around here about possibly losing HQ2. Of course I think we all thought we had a small chance, but eternal optimism is not worth childish antics of "I told you so's" when the optimist was wrong. Especially when providing plenty of entertainment over the past year.

atlwarrior · #**1972** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 8:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jct3

ATL3K is tripling down -- he says on Twitter that news is coming November 13th. His Twitter sure is interesting reading.

I tried searching for his twitter under that name. I’m getting no results.

skyscraperpage17 · #**1973** Posted **Nov 6, 2018, 8:56 PM**

lol.

BlueSangha · #**1974** Posted **Nov 7, 2018, 1:40 PM**

Well, there’s always Apple. Aren’t they still looking for a HQ2 location.

Username123 · #**1975** Posted **Nov 7, 2018, 1:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSangha

Well, there’s always Apple. Aren’t they still looking for a HQ2 location.

They are still looking for a place to put another campus. They may want to be in a different city than Amazon. Considering this, I also believe that it would be reasonable to think that Apple, and other companies, could be holding off site selection until Amazon announces where they are going. I think it’s also safe to assume that at least a few real estate projects in the country have been holding off on proposals and groundbreakings until an announcement from Amazon.

Triptychtwo · #**1976** Posted **Nov 7, 2018, 1:51 PM**

Should we rename this thread to HQ2a & HQ2b?

Username123 · #**1977** Posted **Nov 7, 2018, 1:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triptychtwo

Should we rename this thread to HQ2a & HQ2b?

Probably so. Maybe we’ll get chosen when they need a place for HQ3.0

montydawg · #**1978** Posted **Nov 7, 2018, 2:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Username123

Probably so. Maybe we’ll get chosen when they need a place for HQ3.0

The ironic thing is with Crystal City and LIC both getting 'smaller' half HQ2 locations, they won't really be 'headquarters'. Their largest campus will be in Seattle and I presume that will be still their top location.

jayden · #**1979** Posted **Nov 7, 2018, 3:23 PM**

Imagine taking every article from publishers who do write ups for clicks and running with it every time....

Remember when NYT and WP were so sure Austin had it in the bag? At least with ATL3K, he came with circumstantial evidence. Literally all these publications are doing is making assumptions based on visits and very vague statements.

Yeah, let's just wait until the official announcement.

bigstick · #**1980** Posted **Nov 7, 2018, 9:38 PM**

This whole process reeked from the beginning...3K at least had the balls to spice it up in here, no offense to anyone. Atlanta still makes the most sense by FAR.