Amazon HQ2

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by paul78701

There's something to be said for not having a three hour time difference though. It can be tough enough sometimes when trying to coordinate with team members two hours away.

Yeah, but I think operationally they are probably trying to align better with EMEA and EMEA.

Seattle aligns well with Asia, and the East Coast aligns well with EMEA.

Being bi-coastal in the US is really good for worldwide "as the sun rises" operational efficiency.

Not saying we're out of the running because of 1 hour time difference. But if this is about global integration, especially with their Irish teams, the East Coast makes a lot of sense.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by clubtokyo

What is DC offering Amazon?


Among the perks, Seattle-based Amazon could qualify for:

Relocation reimbursements of up to $7,500 per worker that moves to D.C. and wage reimbursements of up to $30,000 per new job it fills locally with military veteran

A five-year corporate franchise tax exemption capped at $15 million

A five-year freeze on property taxes on every building the e-commerce and cloud computing firm occupies in D.C. as long as Amazon occupies at least half of that building

A 10-year exemption on personal property taxes on qualified property and equipment

And a sales tax exemption in perpetuity on its investment in qualified new purchases

Yeah? Well...where are they going to get good barbecue? Tex-Mex? Huh?....sorry, I got nothing intelligent to add...carry on.

[paul78701]

Washington, DC, and Austin are shaping up as strong contenders for Amazon's new headquarters:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/18/wash...ns-new-hq.html

This is CNBC's latest analysis of the 20 contenders. Austin comes out on top. Take it for what it's worth.

[Novacek]

No Chattanooga?

No Syracuse?


I'm shocked. Shocked.



Not really any huge surprises, for the most part the contenders everyone expected.

Charlotte wasn't included. I'm not sure how much they pushed for it, but based purely on them frequently being included on the list of "Austin's peer cities", they jumped out at me.


I'm not sure how much to read into the 3 DC area localities. Sure, that could represent them leaning there, or it could just be an artifact of the unique legal structure there (that the single urban core of "DC" stretches into 2 adjacent states).

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by Novacek

No Chattanooga?

No Syracuse?


I'm shocked. Shocked.



Not really any huge surprises, for the most part the contenders everyone expected.

Indianapolis and Columbus are pretty big surprises if you ask me. I don't think either has a prayer of making it past the next cut list.

[freerover]

Adler releases a statement on Amazon:

All of our economic development conversations are around the city’s greatest challenges and needs, and this is mobility and affordability, and that’s the lens that we’re going to use. I still not have heard any conversations about offering incentives. Ultimately there needs to be an open and transparent community conversation about Amazon and all these related issues.”

From the Monitor:

The city is currently working to revamp its use of incentives packages away from large mother-ship corporation projects like Amazon or the deals that brought Apple and Merck to Austin in recent years. The preferred method going forward is to focus on tools to attract and grow small businesses and train middle-skill workers to increase their earning power and keep them from being priced out of the city as development pressure causes housing prices to increase.

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by freerover

Adler releases a statement on Amazon:



From the Monitor:

Hmm. Not sounding positive for Austin.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by paul78701

Washington, DC, and Austin are shaping up as strong contenders for Amazon's new headquarters:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/18/wash...ns-new-hq.html

This is CNBC's latest analysis of the 20 contenders. Austin comes out on top. Take it for what it's worth.

Good Find.

Mods,Why can't we use embed code on the forum? The ranking CNBC did is pretty cool and allows you to share via embed.

Embed code in spoiler tag:

<div class='tableauPlaceholder' id='viz1516384369312' style='position: relative'><noscript><a href='https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/18/washington-dc-is-shaping-up-as-strong-contender-for-amazons-new-hq.html'><img alt='Dashboard 1 ' src='https://public.tableau.com/static/images/AM/AMAZONFINAL20BARS/Dashboard1/1_rss.png' style='border: none' /></a></noscript><object class='tableauViz' style='display:none;'><param name='host_url' value='https%3A%2F%2Fpublic.tableau.com%2F' /> <param name='embed_code_version' value='3' /> <param name='site_root' value='' /><param name='name' value='AMAZONFINAL20BARS/Dashboard1' /><param name='tabs' value='no' /><param name='toolbar' value='yes' /><param name='static_image' value='https://public.tableau.com/static/images/AM/AMAZONFINAL20BARS/Dashboard1/1.png' /> <param name='animate_transition' value='yes' /><param name='display_static_image' value='yes' /><param name='display_spinner' value='yes' /><param name='display_overlay' value='yes' /><param name='display_count' value='yes' /><param name='filter' value='publish=yes' /></object></div> <script type='text/javascript'> var divElement = document.getElementById('viz1516384369312'); var vizElement = divElement.getElementsByTagName('object')[0]; vizElement.style.width='500px';vizElement.style.height='727px'; var scriptElement = document.createElement('script'); scriptElement.src = 'https://public.tableau.com/javascripts/api/viz_v1.js'; vizElement.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, vizElement); </script>

Here is a still image of the interactive ranking module. I think it's pretty dumb to rank the airports by consumer happiness but whatever. I would rank it by number of unique direct flights. Most people would rather fly out of Hobby airport in Houston but you aren't going to choose Hobby over Bush if there is a direct flights at Bush.

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

Hmm. Not sounding positive for Austin.

It's nothing different than what we heard last year. I would wait to hear what the council says in their next work session before assuming too much. I think Adler knows that the messaging to the public needs to be about what Amazon could do to help the city beyond becoming a tentpole for the city economy which isn't something people care about when the economy is good. It's like if you were trying to get people in Houston excited about building a 3rd reservoir a year before the Harvey flood.

The Broadmore option at the domain is so relatively inexpensive. If they can get Amazon to put 3 billion in cash toward Austin Mass transit then you can convince a lot of people to get behind the proposal.

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by freerover

I think it's pretty dumb to rank the airports by consumer happiness but whatever. I would rank it by number of unique direct flights. Most people would rather fly out of Hobby airport in Houston but you aren't going to choose Hobby over Bush if there is a direct flights at Bush.

I don't see the reason for ranking the airports at this point. Most, if not all of these cities already have the direct flights Amazon was asking for. That was the primary criteria. So it seems that category is mostly a wash now.

Originally Posted by freerover

It's nothing different than what we heard last year. I would wait to hear what the council says in their next work session before assuming too much. I think Adler knows that the messaging to the public needs to be about what Amazon could do to help the city beyond becoming a tentpole for the city economy which isn't something people care about when the economy is good. It's like if you were trying to get people in Houston excited about building a 3rd reservoir a year before the Harvey flood.

I agree, it's too early to read too much into this just yet. That said, I understand the desire to court/help more small(er) businesses with incentives. I just don't understand why you would do that at the expense of larger ones. Why can't it be both?

Originally Posted by freerover

The Broadmore option at the domain is so relatively inexpensive. If they can get Amazon to put 3 billion in cash toward Austin Mass transit then you can convince a lot of people to get behind the proposal.

Broadmore might not be the best location as far as everyone here is concerned, but for several reasons, it does seem like it could be the best location as far as Amazon is concerned.

Being pretty close to the middle of the red line, I can see them selling the location to prospective employees. Suburban minded folks could live in Leander or whatnot and take the train down. Urban people could live downtown or on the east side and take the train up. Others could live in whatever apartments are in the Broadmore or Domain and walk/bike to work. They could even add a shuttle between the Broadmore and the Domain. Also, everyone could take an after work train to downtown for more entertainment beyond the immediate office neighborhood.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

Hmm. Not sounding positive for Austin.

I respectfully disagree.

No city on this list has transportation figured out, and we are much more affordable than many of cities on that list. Austin is no where near the most expensive or congested city in the running. Rail that removes 50-100k people from the roads a year only serves the people that use it (who often pay a premium to live near a station). Traffic is still shitty in every metro on the list.

People that think traffic is bad in Austin, need to live in a REALLY big city and see the difference. The solution to your commute problem is not to live a long distance away and then complain. Live closer to work. Yes, you will get less for your money, but there are plenty of options. Autonomous cars/shuttles, urbanization, co-working and telecommuting will continue to change the way we commute in better ways....and its coming, so why spend time and billions on infrastructure that any futurist can see will be obsolete by the time they stick the first shovel in the ground?

Amazon employees will be able to afford pretty much wherever they want to live in Austin. Adler is just speaking to his base (he needs their votes against Morrison and maybe Tovo), because voters are ones concerned about affordability, not Bezos. (median home price in Austin is $360k compared to Seattle at over $700k iirc) Adler should be leading our city to ready our workforce for these jobs if they come.

Bezos will have to pay his employees 50-100% more to live in DC/New York/LA than he will if he chooses Austin. Money (the company dollar) will be one of the biggest factors in this decision.....and nobody is talking about it. Why increase your payroll substantially for no REAL benefit?

I still agree with Paddy Power (Austin at 7 to 2), and I've got lunch at Odd Duck on the line with a co-worker that we will get it. My biggest concern on this list is Newark (poor man's NYC)

I say Amazon chooses Austin, and they take South Shore, or the Catalyst site. And Austin will never look back...

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by Dcbrickley

I respectfully disagree.

No city on this list has transportation figured out, and we are much more affordable than many of cities on that list. Austin is no where near the most expensive or congested city in the running. Rail that removes 50-100k people from the roads a year only serves the people that use it (who often pay a premium to live near a station). Traffic is still shitty in every metro on the list.

People that think traffic is bad in Austin, need to live in a REALLY big city and see the difference. The solution to your commute problem is not to live a long distance away and then complain. Live closer to work. Yes, you will get less for your money, but there are plenty of options. Autonomous cars/shuttles, urbanization, co-working and telecommuting will continue to change the way we commute in better ways....and its coming, so why spend time and billions on infrastructure that any futurist can see will be obsolete by the time they stick the first shovel in the ground?

Amazon employees will be able to afford pretty much wherever they want to live in Austin. Adler is just speaking to his base (he needs their votes against Morrison and maybe Tovo), because voters are ones concerned about affordability, not Bezos. (median home price in Austin is $360k compared to Seattle at over $700k iirc) Adler should be leading our city to ready our workforce for these jobs if they come.

Bezos will have to pay his employees 50-100% more to live in DC/New York/LA than he will if he chooses Austin. Money (the company dollar) will be one of the biggest factors in this decision.....and nobody is talking about it. Why increase your payroll substantially for no REAL benefit?

I still agree with Paddy Power (Austin at 7 to 2), and I've got lunch at Odd Duck on the line with a co-worker that we will get it. My biggest concern on this list is Newark (poor man's NYC)

I say Amazon chooses Austin, and they take South Shore, or the Catalyst site. And Austin will never look back...

Agree with all of this. As a Northern Virginia native, Austin and Houston too (which I hear nightmares about) is a joke compared to to DC. I have a sneaking suspicion it may end up in DC, but I think cost-wise, Amazon would make a killing here.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

Agree with all of this. As a Northern Virginia native, Austin and Houston too (which I hear nightmares about) is a joke compared to to DC. I have a sneaking suspicion it may end up in DC, but I think cost-wise, Amazon would make a killing here.

Yeah, the only cities that would SURPRISE me really would be Miami or LA.

[gmsalpha]

One of the negatives I've heard is that Apple might come to Austin.

And...so? It's not like Amazon would be scared to place their HQ2 in the same city as Apple's HQ2.

I can't imagine L.A, because it's in the same time zone, and serves no real purpose. Plus, the traffic and cost of living. Miami would be kind of a bad idea, as it's probably going to be under water in 50 years. Columbus and Indianapolis? Please. Denver is only slightly better location-wise than L.A, and is pretty remote. New York won't happen. Nobody wants to deal with the crime rates of Chicago or the poverty of Philly.

If I were to bet, I'd bet on Austin, though I can see Raleigh, the DC area, or Nashville with a fighting chance.

Good luck!

[drummer]

^^ I thought the Apple conversation wasn't for a true HQ2 but just another very large office, not unlike what Austin already has. Others can correct me on that.

Either way, that shouldn't have any impact on Amazon's decision. Two separate things.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by drummer

^^ I thought the Apple conversation wasn't for a true HQ2 but just another very large office, not unlike what Austin already has. Others can correct me on that.

Either way, that shouldn't have any impact on Amazon's decision. Two separate things.

The Apple project is not a "HQ2". It's for the creation of 20K jobs spread across all their existing U.S. locations and a third campus at a location to be named later. Cupertino and Austin are the first two campuses.

[clubtokyo]

Interesting article, not a lot of people in Seattle want to move to DC area.
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2018/01/...g-to-move.html

[Jdawgboy]

Apple's 3rd campus will be located in another city, in a state that Apple does not have a large presence in.


As far as adding airports in the ranking, actually it makes sense that ABIA is ranked high. What with all the gossip about it being a huge year for the port, there may be some sort of connection there. Any company wants access to an airport that can get workers anywhere fairly easily. ABIA continues to rack up directs and we know more are on the way including international routes. What gives ABIA an edge is it's still a fresh slate. It has the capacity to expand and has the space to do it. It's no secret that the port is experiencing tremendous growth. If Amazon were to choose Austin (and I still won't speculate one way or the other) it stands to reason that the airport and its potential would be a key factor in their decision.

[urbancore]

Greg Mercer (ties with Amazon) just bought a $3m+ condo downtown, closed a couple weeks ago. For what that's worth.....probably not much, but interesting.

edit: not a rumor, he bought it (homestead)

[lzppjb]

Originally Posted by Dcbrickley

Greg Mercer (ties with Amazon) just bought a $3m+ condo downtown, closed a couple weeks ago. For what that's worth.....probably not much, but interesting.

edit: not a rumor, he bought it (homestead)

[urbancore]

they want an urban campus....which i read as, NOT the Domain....

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n...ard-urban.html

Does anyone have the list of locations Austin submitted? I can't find it.