NEW YORK | Amazon - Long Island City | CANCELED

[k1052]

ruh roh


Senate Names Critic of Amazon Deal to Key Board (With Veto Power)

But now, those who want to stop Amazon from coming to Queens have gotten their most tangible boost yet: an opponent of the Amazon deal has been selected for a spot on a little-known state board that the governor has said will have to decide on the development plan for Amazon, and could veto it completely.

On Monday, the new Democratic majority in the State Senate chose one of the most vocal critics of the Amazon deal, Senator Michael Gianaris of Queens, to represent them as one of three voting members of the Public Authorities Control Board. Any voting member of the board has the power to block projects that come before it.

Mr. Gianaris, in an interview, would not commit to voting for or against Amazon because, he said, the details of the state’s development proposal, known as a General Project Plan, were still being put together.

“My position on the Amazon deal is clear and unambiguous and is not changing,” said Mr. Gianaris, who has been present at protests against the deal. “It’s hard for me to say what I would do, when I don’t know what it is I would be asked to opine on.”

However, he added, he did not intend to use his position to seek concessions from Amazon.

“I’m not looking to negotiate a better deal,” said Mr. Gianaris. “I am against the deal that has been proposed and don’t believe that it can form the foundation of a negotiation.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/04/nyregion/amazon-hq2-board-veto.html

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by k1052

ruh roh


Senate Names Critic of Amazon Deal to Key Board (With Veto Power)

This reminds me of a story. A while ago (not as long as it seems), there was a plan by the City and the State to construct a new stadium on the west side of Manhattan as part of the Hudson Yards, on what would eventually come to be the western half of Related's railyard development. The more than $3 billion dollar stadium was to get about $300 million from the City, and an equal amount from the State. The State's share of the funding, (similar to what will take place here) was to be approved by the Public Authorities Control Board. Only problem there was Sheldon Silver (who's getting ready to serve his prison sentence) didn't like the fact that the west side was getting developed when the WTC wasn't moving along as well Downtown, which he represented. As one of 3 votes needed to support the state funds, he voted against it. As a chunk of the total cost of the stadium was cut off, the Jets initially said they would go along with building the stadium anyway. However, an offer from the Giants to split the costs of a new stadium in the Meadowlands was too good of an offer to pass up. Many people wrongly accuse Silver of blocking the west side stadium, but he really didn't. He just made it more expensive for the Jets to build it.

Which brings us to Amazon and Long Island City. The State, and it's $2 billion in tax breaks over 10 years or so could go the same route. It's doubtful that it would, but it could. But in either case, it's highly unlikely it would affect Amazon's decision to build the Long Island City campus. Amazon has repeatedly said the incentives didn't factor in the decision making, but people have doubted it, even as other municipalities have offered far more in incentives for Amazon to move to their cities. I'm sure they will take the tax breaks from the state, but the wheels are moving either way. The first stop will be the Citibank (1 Court Square) building where 700 Amazon employees will move in this year.

Mr. Gianaris, in an interview, would not commit to voting for or against Amazon because, he said, the details of the state’s development proposal, known as a General Project Plan, were still being put together.

For all of his talk, this guy, like the rest of the critics, just wants to have his piece of the pie, and will no doubt try to hold that position as leverage over Amazon. It won't work.




https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/amazon-cuomo-gianaris-1.26905485

Amazon critic named to state panel that has some say over deal


By Yancey Roy
February 4, 2019

The appointment was made by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and was first reported by The New York Times. Technically, it’s a recommendation, but governors traditionally haven’t challenged PACB appointment.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who also has an appointee, said Monday he wasn’t sure the board could affect the Amazon project for a “year or two” – meaning the project could be underway before the PACB would get involved.

Gianaris “will add a helpful voice to the Public Authorities Control Board,” Stewart-Cousins said in a statement. “Now is a crucial time for our state and he will bring an important perspective and accountability to this board as it reviews numerous projects.”

Cuomo has been the most vocal defender of the deal. Among other things, Cuomo says the company will create 25,000 jobs at a new Queens campus, making the tax incentives worth it.

His office reacted sharply to Gianaris’ appointment.

“This recommendation put the self-interest of a flip-flopping opponent of the Amazon project above the state’s economic growth and is a clear sign that the Senate Democrats oppose the 25,000 to 40,000 new technology jobs,” said Dani Lever, a Cuomo aide. “Every Democratic senator will now be called on to defend their opposition to the greatest economic growth potential this state has seen in over 50 years.”

The governor, Senate and Assembly each have an appointee to the panel and any one member can veto a project. But Heastie (D-Bronx) said Cuomo probably could begin the incentives through existing economic-development programs before ever having to come to the PACB for approvals of any bonds or tax abatements.

“The way economic development is structured, the governor probably doesn’t have to talk to the Legislature for a year or two,” Heastie told reporters Monday. “So in essence, the Legislature has the ability to give an opinion, but the governor doesn’t have to” consult initially.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/...n-francisco-to-be-world-s-best-tech-city


By Sydney Maki
February 4, 2019

Amazon.com Inc. might have the right idea: A new study shows New York City is the best place on the planet for technology.

New York ranked first in an index measuring 30 global tech-heavy cities analyzed by real estate brokerage Savills Plc, with San Francisco in second place and London third. New York pulled ahead thanks to its volume of venture capital cash, large pool of talent -- both homegrown and people attracted to the city -- and the opportunities that exist for them.

“So much of it is talent,” Paul Tostevin, author of the report, said from London. “New York can keep generating its own talent and, I think more importantly, recruiting it from around the world.”

“Scale is something New York can offer when you’re employing so many people, so there’s a real advantage there for large tech companies,” said Tostevin, associate director of world research for the brokerage. “There’s that work-and-life balance that’s so important, and that New York can offer that is quite advantageous.”

[NYguy]

https://nypost.com/2019/02/04/amazons-long-island-city-hq-will-send-altice-usa-packing/

Amazon’s Long Island City HQ will send Altice USA packing




By Steve Cuozzo
February 4, 2019

The Amazon effect on Long Island City’s office scene is immediate and strong — just as in the residential market, where rents and condo prices have soared since Jeff Bezos decided to set up shop there.

Amazon’s planned takeover of most of Savanna’s One Court Square will soon bump broadband giant Altice USA from the 53-story tower, sources said. The company will then move to the nearby building known as The Paragon and fill all of its 130,000 square feet.

The Paragon is a former warehouse that Related Fund Management and GreenOak Real Estate spent $30 million to convert into first-class office space.

Amazon plans to move into Savanna’s One Court Square under a lease preceding its eventual construction of an 8 million-square-foot campus nearby. Altice USA and Related have a letter of intent at The Paragon, which an insider said is “on track to being a completed lease.”

Altice USA, led by CEO Dexter Goei and headquartered in Bethpage, LI, moved into 100,000 square feet on three vacant high floors of Court Square as a subtenant of Citigroup about two years ago.

Savanna announced in November that it had a letter of intent with Amazon to lease the company’s 1 million square feet at One Court Square. At the time, Nicholas Bienstock, a Savanna managing partner, thanked Citi “for its critical role in delivering the space.”

[NYguy]

More on this guy...


https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/05/nyregion/michael-gianaris-amazon.html

Amazon Wants to Come to New York. This Senator May Stand in the Way.

By Vivian Wang and Jesse McKinley
Feb. 5, 2019

Mr. Gianaris, a Harvard Law School graduate and the son of Greek immigrants, has also long been viewed as someone eager to pursue higher office, and some of his opponents, including Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, have accused him of placing political gain ahead of good government.

“I think it’s unfortunate that the Senate is playing politics here,” the governor said in an interview on WNYC radio when asked about Mr. Gianaris’s nomination. “Yes, it’s great politically to oppose the Amazon deal. ‘It’s Jeff Bezos, one of the richest people, why are we giving him a break?’”

That is exactly Mr. Gianaris’s argument, though he denies any political motivation.

But Mr. Gianaris also offered few specifics on what a victory for his side would look like.

While he has called the current deal “unacceptable,” he has also said he does not want to force concessions from the company, instead pushing to scrap the current development plan entirely and to start negotiations anew. His office has sent out fliers telling Mr. Bezos to “stay in Seattle,” but Mr. Gianaris said on Tuesday that he does not oppose outright the idea of Amazon coming to Queens.

He has previously said the company should build its headquarters in Manhattan and subsidize affordable housing in Queens instead; but when asked about that proposal on Tuesday, he said it was too early to say what kind of arrangement he would ultimately support.

A poll released on Tuesday by the firm HarrisX and commissioned by Amazon found that 77 percent of residents in Mr. Gianaris’s district supported bringing Amazon to the area.

Mr. Cuomo, with whom Mr. Gianaris has been embroiled in a long-simmering feud, would not say if he would reject the senator’snomination to the state board.

https://www.newsday.com/opinion/columnis...azon-long-island-city-hq-poll-1.26949248

Poll shows majority of Queens residents want Amazon HQ in Long Island City
80 percent of Queens registered voters, and 77 percent of those living in the 12th State Senate District approve of Amazon's plans
to establish its second headquarters in Long Island City.





By Randi F. Marshall
February 5, 2019

If you listened to local officials like State Sen. Michael Gianaris or NYC Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer recently, you might think everyone’s against the deal to bring Amazon to Long Island City.

Not quite.

According to a new poll obtained by The Point Tuesday, a staggering 80 percent of Queens registered voters, and 77 percent of those who live in the 12th State Senate District – which Gianaris represents and includes Long Island City and Astoria – approve of Amazon’s plans to establish its second headquarters there, according the HarrisX poll commissioned by Amazon. Nearly 7 in 10 of registered voters across NYC support the deal.

Nearly 80 percent of those surveyed think it’s very likely or somewhat likely that Amazon’s HQ2 will raise the city’s property values and boost the city’s economy, although a majority of them also think the cost of housing might increase, and worry about the strains on public transportation. Across the board, a majority of every age group, every ethnicity, every political leaning, and all educational backgrounds, approves of Amazon’s plan.

The poll comes as an ugly battle over Amazon has been brewing, one that’s getting uglier by the day. The latest salvo came Monday, when State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins appointed Gianaris as her representative on the Public Authorities Control Board, which could have the power to approve – or veto– parts of the Amazon agreement.

Gianaris said he didn’t see a way to change the deal or renegotiate it to make it better, either. “The deal needs to be reset back to zero,” Gianaris said.

Such comments come in stark contrast to the welcome mat Virginia, the other site Amazon chose for its second headquarters, is rolling out. Last week, the Virginia House spent nine minutes discussing Amazon before voting to give the company a package of subsidies for a new headquarters the company plans to build in Arlington. The State Senate there already had approved the deal.

The poll Amazon commissioned seems to show a disconnect between the strong negative drumbeat coming from Gianaris, Van Bramer and others, and voter sentiment overall. Interestingly, the poll oversampled the 12th State Senate District. Of the 901 survey participants, 170 were registered voters from Gianaris’ district.

[WhatTheHeck5205]

I did read one interview where I believe this senator suggested that Amazon contribute to funding the Fast Forward program of subway repairs that’s awaiting funding right now. And tbh I agree with that, if only because Governor Amazon Cuomo doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to do so. Otherwise though, I think the opposition is ridiculous. Amazon needs to be in NYC, because NYC and maybe Chicago are the only cities that are going to be willing to build enough housing for Amazon’s future employees.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by WhatTheHeck5205

I did read one interview where I believe this senator suggested that Amazon contribute to funding the Fast Forward program of subway repairs that’s awaiting funding right now. And tbh I agree with that, if only because Governor Amazon Cuomo doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to do so.

New York is a city of business, home to many of the major companies that we know. So why would Cuomo do that? Why exactly should Amazon be singled out for fast tracking repairs? If there were an overall tax on businesses to support that, that would be one thing. But aren't we already taxing those companies? New York will get far more in tax revenue than the tax break Amazon is getting (something like 9 to 1). But to listen to some of those critics, that $2 billion in tax breaks should go to the subways. OK, fine. Only problem is, if there's no Amazon, where is that $2 billion coming from?

Otherwise though, I think the opposition is ridiculous. Amazon needs to be in NYC, because NYC and maybe Chicago are the only cities that are going to be willing to build enough housing for Amazon’s future employees.

There are people who just naturally want to fight and need to fight something. The protesters so far are parts of many separate groups who organize to protest regularly. This is just the latest gift to fall in their laps.

[Hudson11]

according to the Washington Post, Amazon is already getting cold feet over NYC. How wonderful that some of our fantastic "leaders" are being hostile towards 25,000 guaranteed jobs.

I don't see problems either way. If it's about the money, big opportunities require big incentives. If it's about the " behind closed doors" negotiations, our elected Mayor and Governor did their jobs and made a deal. They're our representation. If you don't like their decision, fine, vote them out next time.

[yankeesfan1000]

Originally Posted by Hudson11

according to the Washington Post, Amazon is already getting cold feet over NYC. How wonderful that some of our fantastic "leaders" are being hostile towards 25,000 guaranteed jobs.

I don't see problems either way. If it's about the money, big opportunities require big incentives. If it's about the " behind closed doors" negotiations, our elected Mayor and Governor did their jobs and made a deal. They're our representation. If you don't like their decision, fine, vote them out next time.

Jesus, you weren't kidding :

"Amazon executives have had internal discussions recently to reassess the situation in New York and explore alternatives, said the two people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the company’s perspective.

“The question is whether it’s worth it if the politicians in New York don’t want the project, especially with how people in Virginia and Nashville have been so welcoming,” said one person familiar with the company’s plans."

[chris08876]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan1000

Jesus, you weren't kidding :

"Amazon executives have had internal discussions recently to reassess the situation in New York and explore alternatives, said the two people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the company’s perspective.

“The question is whether it’s worth it if the politicians in New York don’t want the project, especially with how people in Virginia and Nashville have been so welcoming,” said one person familiar with the company’s plans."

I wonder what the odds are with Newark. That is one city that could really... really use it. Would completely change the dynamics of the CBD, and truely act as a catalyst to push Newark to Jersey City levels which compared to JC, is underwhelming in how much it has grown in the last 5 years even though both are proxies to NYC.

NJ was extremely generous too in its offering. I'm sure NJ won't have a stick up their you know what compared to NYC which bureaucracy and politics is slowly becoming a fatal tumor to this citys growth.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Hudson11

according to the Washington Post, Amazon is already getting cold feet over NYC. How wonderful that some of our fantastic "leaders" are being hostile towards 25,000 guaranteed jobs.

I don't see problems either way. If it's about the money, big opportunities require big incentives. If it's about the " behind closed doors" negotiations, our elected Mayor and Governor did their jobs and made a deal. They're our representation. If you don't like their decision, fine, vote them out next time.

It's not even big money (for NY, and relative to what other places were offering), and that doesn't matter anyway. You could say Amazon was coming in without any of the tax rebates (which they would get each year, only after meeting targeted goals) and the same people who are against it would still be against it.

And the idea that Amazon is going to "ruin" the neighborhood is foolish. Do people really think that if Amazon didn't come, suddenly Long Island City would stop all development? Have they been oblivious to the past decade? Doesn't matter. I doubt Amazon is going anywhere.

But whoever thought it was a good idea to "threaten" a pullout just made a mistake. Because polling routinely shows that most New Yorkers back Amazon building the new headquarters in the city. But to say you may pull out because of "opposition" - that is WEAK. Most New Yorkers would then tell you to not let the door hit you on the way out.

There is opposition to EVERYTHING in New York. So What? Not everyone is going to love you. Not everyone has to. You're not going to get 100% support for ANYTHING in New York. As it is now, they have more support than most other things in the city. And the quote about politicians not wanting it? Equally ridiculous. None of those against it could stop it if they wanted to, and who is the campus being built for anyway? Certainly not the politicians. Let them jump into the east river.

This is a lengthy process that is supposed to take most of this year to finalize. If they can't take the heat now, they're not going to make it in New York. And if this is just another ploy by Cuomo, it's a waste of time. The NIMBYs aren't going to suddenly say, "ok, we're sorry, please stay". And the people who overwhelmingly support the proposal aren't going to come out into the streets, or flood city council hearings. Why should they? Nothing should be ground to a halt because there's some opposition. There's ALWAYS opposition. It's New York. Get used to it, or don't come.



https://licpost.com/amazon-reassessing-long-island-city-campus-due-to-opposition-report

Amazon Reassessing Long Island City Campus Due to Opposition: Report





Feb. 8, 2019
By Nathaly Pesantez

Amazon is reconsidering its plan to locate one of its new headquarters in Long Island City due to the heavy opposition the project has faced locally, especially by politicians, according to a report published today by the Washington Post.

The paper cited “two people familiar with the company’s thinking,” in its report, and said Amazon executives have recently had internal discussions to reassess its choice to locate to New York City and explore alternatives.

“The question is whether it’s worth it if the politicians in New York don’t want the project, especially with how people in Virginia and Nashville have been so welcoming,” one of the sources told the Post.

The company is anticipated to begin building out its campus at Anable Basin in 2020 after receiving state approvals, and plans to occupy 1 million square feet of office space at One Court Square in 2019 in the interim.

Savanna, which owns the 53-story building once anchored by Citi, confirmed on the day of the November HQ2 announcement that Amazon had entered into a letter of intent to lease the office space.

It is unclear if the letter of intent is binding. Savanna declined to comment on the nature of the agreement.

The Washington Post added that no specific plans to drop the HQ2 project in New York have been made, and that the company may be threatening to withdraw to put pressure on New York officials.

In a statement, an Amazon spokeswoman said, “We’re focused on engaging with our new neighbors—small business owners, educators, and community leaders.”

The Post’s report comes after the release of an Amazon-funded poll that found, like the Quinnipiac University poll two months before it, strong support citywide, and especially in Queens, for the project.

[chris08876]

Long article on the matter.

========

Amazon HQ2 Deal Stirs New Tensions in New York

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Friday ratcheted up the pressure on political opponents of a deal to bring Amazon to New York City, warning that they would face the wrath of voters if the company pulled out and took with it tens of thousands of jobs.

While some local opposition was to be expected, Mr. Cuomo said, the project’s political opponents were being unreasonable. “I’ve never seen a more absurd situation,” the governor said at an unrelated event on Long Island.

Mr. Cuomo’s comments came as tensions over the deal for Amazon to build a vast corporate campus in Queens have been simmering for days, with company executives chafing at what appeared to be new roadblocks to the move.

The selection of a vocal Amazon opponent to a crucial state board with potential veto power over the deal riled those inside Amazon — and inside of the governor’s mansion — according to two people with knowledge of the discussions. Executives have grown increasingly frustrated that the company is not being welcomed in New York as it has been in Virginia and Nashville, two other places where Amazon is adding corporate offices.

Those tensions spilled into public view on Friday when The Washington Post published an article that said the company was reconsidering its plans to come to Queens. But the two people with direct knowledge of the company’s thinking said the article had gone too far and Amazon had no plans to back out.

An Amazon spokeswoman declined to respond to the report.

Inside the company, discussions have intensified about political developments in New York since the selection by Democrats in the State Senate of Sen. Michael Gianaris of Queens to the Public Authorities Control Board, a little-known entity that could eventually block the development plan.

Amazon executives are concerned that the company will have invested significant money and time on the plan only to have it shot down by the board, said one of the people, who like others familiar with the internal conversations spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private meetings.

But company executives did not share those concerns with the Democratic majority leader of the State Senate, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, when they met with her on Tuesday. The executives gave no indication that they were changing their plans to come to New York City, according to a person who was briefed on the meeting.

Still, Mr. Cuomo, who along with Mayor Bill de Blasio negotiated the deal to bring Amazon to Queens, suggested that the company could back out during a radio interview this week as he warned Senate Democrats about the political impact of the deal falling through.

On Friday, Mr. Cuomo reacted to The Post story by again denouncing the Senate, calling its actions “governmental malpractice” and saying the senators would pay at the ballot box if Amazon bolted. “It would be a tremendous loss,” he said.

Mike Murphy, a spokesman for the Democratic majority in the Senate, did not comment directly on the Amazon news, but seemed dismayed by the governor’s criticism of Albany’s upper chamber. “It is unfortunate that the Governor is trying to divide the Democratic Party at this crucial and historic time,” Mr. Murphy said in a statement.

Mr. Cuomo has the power to reject the selection of Mr. Gianaris. But doing so would force a standoff with the new Democratic majority in the Senate, which would then have to nominate someone new to the board. The governor has yet to say what he will do.

Mr. Gianaris, who opposes state and city incentives for Amazon that could amount to $3 billion, said that he had not been aware of any high-level concern at Amazon about the plan. Still, he said, “If Amazon’s goal is to extort New York through threats, that says a lot about whether we should want them here at all.”

Jonathan Westin, a vocal opponent of the Amazon deal and the executive director of New York Communities for Change, expressed skepticism over the idea that the company would back out. “It really feels like this threat of Amazon to leave has been choreographed with the governor” to put pressure on Senate Democrats, he said.

If the company were reconsidering its plans for a campus in New York City, which would include between 25,000 and 40,000 employees, it does not appear to have taken steps to make contingency plans.

Stephen Moret, who runs the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, which negotiated the deal in that state, said in an interview on Tuesday that he had not heard from Amazon about shifting jobs from New York to Northern Virginia. Still, he added, “We wouldn’t be disappointed if that happened.”

A spokesman for Mr. de Blasio said “the mayor fully expects Amazon to deliver on its promise to New Yorkers.”

Credit: NYTimes

[sbarn]

It really would be terrible if Amazon abandoned their the NYC expansion. NYC will probably be fine either way, but isn't a good look for the city.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by sbarn

It really would be terrible if Amazon abandoned their the NYC expansion. NYC will probably be fine either way, but isn't a good look for the city.

That would be a terrible look. You don't want to start a precedent where NIMBYism stunts the city's growth. And Amazon should not even be having that discussion. They've had enough time to decide on where they want to expand. Save us the extra drama, and either be all in, or out.

[NYguy]

https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news...ity-broome-county-jeff-bezos/2815372002/

Amazon's Jeff Bezos should check his mail. There's a letter from Broome waiting for him.

NATASHA VAUGHN | BINGHAMTON

“Many of us in upstate NY can’t believe that New York City would actually say no to 25 thousand jobs," County Executive Jason Garnar said in a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, "but Broome County will gladly take a company that will provide 25 thousand new jobs and five billion dollars of investment in a NY minute."

The letter was written soon after reports revealed the online retail giant may be reconsidering building its new headquarters in Long Island City. Garnar did not say whether Bezos, the world's richest person, responded to the letter.

Garnar highlighted Broome County's 300 acres of developable land, and its close proximity to a number of major cities and universities.

"We would welcome a new Amazon Corporate Headquarters into our community with open arms. I invite you to come tour our county at your convenience," Garnar wrote in his letter.

[BonoboZill4]

Lol... Amazon would sooner go back to Chicago than Upstate New york

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by BonoboZill4

Lol... Amazon would sooner go back to Chicago than Upstate New york

LOL, everybody would be back on that bandwagon. I remember when the narrative was all those other cities were lucky they didn't get Amazon.

[NYguy]

https://nypost.com/2019/02/09/amazon-hq2-plans-deeply-dividing-queens-community/

Amazon HQ2 plans deeply dividing Queens community


Dean Scott (left) of Queens signs NY Senator Michael Gianaris's (right) petition against Amazon's HQ2.

By Kenneth Garger and Ruth Weissmann
February 9, 2019

As anti-Amazon activists rallied in Queens Saturday and then gathered signatures for a petition aimed at derailing the online behemoth’s plans for a campus in Long Island City — others ripped the resistance as short-sighted.

Opponents such as State Sen. Michael N. Gianaris joined about 40 activists in Queensbridge Park for a small rally on a frigid morning— a day after a report in the Washington Post, which is owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, claimed the company is reconsidering coming to Queens.

“We’ve learned over the last year that Amazon is not a responsible company,” he said. “They want to take $3 billion from us,” he said referring to the tax breaks and other incentives that the state and city agreed to hand the company, which sits in his district.

“We’re trying to stop it,” he added.

That vexes Jay Martin, who lives on the border of Astoria and Long Island City.

“My neighbors are all for it, but they’re the kind of people who go to work and go home— they aren’t the types who would go to a rally,” he said.

Rob Cockerill, 30, who moved to Long Island City three years ago, also wants the company to go through with its HQ2.

“It’s an exiting new tech industry coming here,” he said. “If they do it right, it would be provide a ton of good paying jobs. Look how well Google has done in Manhattan.”

“Is it going to bring jobs for the people in this community? No,” said Letitia Karnege, a resident of the Queensbridge Houses who added her name to the petition. “If it’s not for the people, then I’m not for Amazon being here. Why would you come here and take over our neighborhood?”

Not everyone has made up their mind.

“I don’t know what to believe,” admitted Queensbridge Houses resident Shirley West, 70. “All those jobs for the kids, it’s tempting.”

But let's back this up for a minute:

State Sen. Michael N. Gianaris joined about 40 activists in Queensbridge Park for a small rally on a frigid morning...

“We’ve learned over the last year that Amazon is not a responsible company,” he said. “They want to take $3 billion from us,” he said referring to the tax breaks and other incentives that the state and city agreed to hand the company, which sits in his district.

“We’re trying to stop it,” he added.

That's not just a misstatement, it's a blatant lie, and I'm sure that guy knows it. And he's trying to take advantage of people who otherwise don't really understand what's going on.





https://www.recode.net/2019/2/8/18217299...quarters-new-york-protest-cuomo-deblasio

Amazon’s opponents think the company is bluffing about killing its HQ2 plan in NYC
According to a new report from the Washington Post, the company is reconsidering its development plans for New York.
But it could be a political tactic to get Amazon’s opponents in line.

By Shirin Ghaffary
Feb 8, 2019

Amazon is said to be considering dropping its New York City plans altogether, according to the Washington Post report, which cited two sources as being “familiar with the company’s thinking” on the matter.

But many are questioning the reality of this threat. Several politicians and community leaders who oppose the deal say they’re skeptical that Amazon and its political supporters — chiefly, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio — are floating the threat of Amazon leaving as a tactic to pressure opponents into backing down. The news comes at a time when it’s looking more likely that the New York State government may be able to block funding for the deal. Earlier this week, the New York Senate appointed a leading anti-Amazon politician, state Sen. Michael Gianiaris, to a board position where he could have veto power to derail the deal.

While Cuomo’s message seemed to be intended to strike fear, the leaders of the grassroots organizations that have helped organize protests against Amazon remained firm in their plans to block the deal.

“I hope it’s a serious threat, and I hope they leave,” said Jonathan Westin, director of New York Communities for Change, one of the leading community organizations opposing the deal. “But I also could completely believe this is just a ploy by Amazon to try and put pressure on elected officials and try to tamp down activists and momentum against this deal.”

[Doubleu1117]

There's alot about NIMBYism and this particular issue that i hate. but the one that annoys me on this one is the transportation concerns are enough to turn amazon away. really? a multi billion dollar company wants to come and set up shop and because the trains will get more crowded we shouldnt even consider it. its ridiclous. transportation and crowding is already an issue, i wish these people would direct their attention to fixing these issues, because its an issue with or without amazon.

we should be raising our transportation standards to meet/ allow for these great opportunities, not driving the opportunities away so that we can continue to just get by on our subways and not have to seriously address the transportation system.

[NYguy]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/...es-allies-of-quarrelsome-cuomo-de-blasio

Amazon's New HQ2 Makes Allies of Quarrelsome Cuomo, de Blasio




By Henry Goldman
February 9, 2019

It took Amazon.com Inc.’s announced New York expansion to make buddies out of Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The state’s two most powerful politicians have fought for six years over everything from mass transit to how to combat the Ebola virus. Now they’ve got each other’s back like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, rhetorical guns ablaze against an array of fellow Democrats who want to kill the deal the pair has worked for months to consummate.

...A report Friday that the company may be reconsidering its plans has emboldened opponents in the state Senate and the City Council. The news came days after Senate leaders named Michael Gianaris, one of the deal’s fiercest critics, to a board that would give him power to veto it. The governor could reject Gianaris’s appointment, but he hasn’t said what he’ll do.

Amazon expected it would face the biggest public backlash to a new headquarters in New York City, Bloomberg has reported. The company chose the location anyway, wanting the benefits of the city’s large skilled-labor pool and opportunities for spouses and partners of recruited hires to find employment in their own careers, officials have said.

For Cuomo and de Blasio, it’s a no-brainer: those tax breaks and grants in return for as much as $27.5 billion in tax revenue by 2045 and 25,000 to 40,000 jobs paying an average $150,000 a year. It holds the promise of making the city a tech-industry leader rivaling Silicon Valley and Boston’s Route 128 corridor.

Yet the political stakes in this fight may be greater than the economic benefits. Opponents say Amazon’s arrival would have much less of an impact than Cuomo and de Blasio would have the public believe. The city’s economy already employs 4.6 million people, and it produced 71,000 new jobs in 2018.

The influx of new employees would average 1,600 a year -- a much more muted impact in a city of 8.6 million than in northern Virginia, where Amazon plans to build an equivalent campus. The financial incentives sound less impressive in a state and city that have proposed combined budgets totaling more than $267 billion next year.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Doubleu1117

we should be raising our transportation standards to meet/ allow for these great opportunities, not driving the opportunities away so that we can continue to just get by on our subways and not have to seriously address the transportation system.

Those people are idiots. Like I said earlier, it's not as if an Amazon pullout from the deal would suddenly stop the boom on Long Island City. I'ts happening, it's been happening, and will continue to happen. So all of the issues related to transit (though overblown) will have to and need to be dealt with anyway.

And this City Council wants to hold hearings (there's one more to be held) about something they can just complain about, but when it comes to the issues that they can actually do something about - like gentrification displacing people, lack of housing, etc., they do nothing. How about holding some hearings on that?

The people of New York are overwhelmingly in favor of Amazon's new campus. Not everyone is going to love it, but has there ever been anything in New York without some opposition?

And this is why I say you don't threaten a pullout, because New Yorkers don't like a threat. Nobody does really.



https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/new...dents-weigh-in-on-amazon-hq2-controversy

Queensbridge Residents Weigh In on Amazon HQ2 Controversy

By Van Tieu
Feb. 09, 2019

Neighboring the proposed amazon campus in Long Island city is the largest public housing development in America, $6,000 strong. Families at the Queensbridge houses live well below the poverty line with a median annual income under $16,000.

Many say they’re interested in working for the tech giant.

“I’m in favor because I want to know what do they have. What does it entail? They type of jobs that they have and the training,” Audrey Hilliard, a Queensbridge resident said.

But amid a report the company is reconsidering building one of it's HQ2 facilities in New York due to political opposition, residents say they wouldn't lose sleep if the deal fell through.

“If you don’t want us we don’t want you honestly speaking if they were to ditch the deal I wouldn’t feel too bad because as I said the local businesses will get to thrive,” Will Maisonet, another Queensbridge resident said.

Lynne Patton, the regional federal housing administrator appointed by President trump gave an eye roll to politicians opposed to the deal, tweeting: “Everywhere I go politicians always decry the lack of jobs or the lack of housing yet whenever the opportunity actually presents itself for more jobs. 1500 amazon for Queensbridge residents alone or more affordable housing, politicians are always the first to complain.”

As Part of the amazon deal, the city intends to invest $10 million to train and place 1,500 residents at the Queensbridge houses over 10 years.

Residents say they aren’t yet sold on that promise. And they aren’t sure how attainable those jobs would be.

“I believe it would depend on whether or not it’s going to benefit the community or not in any way if it’s going to benefit the community, I would think if they dissed us that would be a problem considering they would be taking so much room and take up so many resources in the community,” Queensbridge resident Ivan Gonzales added.