Amazon HQ2

[the Genral]

I would be surprised if Austin got it and not surprised if it didn't. Nor would I be disappointed. At the time, I thought it was an exciting possibility, but after months of speculation on our part I've actually grown bored of waiting, and the on going possibility of this happening feels like a carrot dangling in front of us. Well...F the carrot. I think we'll have to deal with the consequences if it does where there really is no downside if it doesn't. Traffic, rising real estate prices, no thank you. All I was really interested in was maybe getting some glitzy office towers added to downtown, and all this talk of locating away from downtown makes this uninteresting to me. Austin doesn't need the 'Prestige' of adding HQ2 to its portfolio to put it on any map, we are already all over the proverbial map. Just my take on it, I was always only in it for the potential significant add to our skyline being the insatiable highrise geek that I am. That's really all I ever cared about. And the unlikeliness of that happening even if they choose Austin makes me even less interested in them coming.

[The ATX]

Most of the 20 finalist cities are doing pretty well right now and will continue to do so without Amazon. I think Indy, Philly, Pittsburgh and Newark would benefit the most. But I have always thought it would go to ATL or NoVa though.

[CTrox73]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Most of the 20 finalist cities are doing pretty well right now and will continue to do so without Amazon. I think Indy, Philly, Pittsburgh and Newark would benefit the most. But I have always thought it would go to ATL or NoVa though.

I agree that Austin will be just fine without HQ2. One thing I do know is that all the Atlanta boosters are over the top with self confidence, it's almost like they feel that HQ2 will give ATL some kind of long over due acknowledgement of it's importance to the world. Makes me kind of quietly hope they don't get it.
Just my opinion.

[mercury6]

I spent all my energy advocating for MLS2ATX...Not much left for HQ2ATX. No loss for us if goes elsewhere.

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by the Genral

I would be surprised if Austin got it and not surprised if it didn't. Nor would I be disappointed. At the time, I thought it was an exciting possibility, but after months of speculation on our part I've actually grown bored of waiting, and the on going possibility of this happening feels like a carrot dangling in front of us. Well...F the carrot. I think we'll have to deal with the consequences if it does where there really is no downside if it doesn't. Traffic, rising real estate prices, no thank you. All I was really interested in was maybe getting some glitzy office towers added to downtown, and all this talk of locating away from downtown makes this uninteresting to me. Austin doesn't need the 'Prestige' of adding HQ2 to its portfolio to put it on any map, we are already all over the proverbial map. Just my take on it, I was always only in it for the potential significant add to our skyline being the insatiable highrise geek that I am. That's really all I ever cared about. And the unlikeliness of that happening even if they choose Austin makes me even less interested in them coming.

Is it just that the only sites we know of that are contenders are outside of the urban core, or are those the top contenders? Amazon pretty clearly wants an urban campus. Are the Statesman and/or Catalyst sites in the running at all?

[AusTxDevelopment]

Originally Posted by Sigaven

Is it just that the only sites we know of that are contenders are outside of the urban core, or are those the top contenders? Amazon pretty clearly wants an urban campus. Are the Statesman and/or Catalyst sites in the running at all?

Part of the Statesman site is for sublease with a lease term that goes through 1/31/2020. Private bat bridge viewing area is one of the amenities.

http://images1.loopnet.com/d2/GiSvNw...U/document.pdf

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by AusTxDevelopment

Part of the Statesman site is for sublease with a lease term that goes through 1/31/2020. Private bat bridge viewing area is one of the amenities.

http://images1.loopnet.com/d2/GiSvNw...U/document.pdf

So it seems safe to say that we won't see any significant development at the Statesman site until 2020 at the earliest.

[Oraclelp]

HQ2 is Austin; be prepared

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by Oraclelp

HQ2 is Austin; be prepared

Can you be more specific please? How do you know for sure and where are you getting this information from?

[chinchaaa]

Originally Posted by Oraclelp

HQ2 is Austin; be prepared

When can we expect a formal announcement?

[deerhoof]

Originally Posted by Oraclelp

HQ2 is Austin; be prepared

I find it interesting that people with inside information always seem to make short post hinting at things but they hardly ever give much more. Just an observation and not saying I agree this poster knows anything. Just a trend I've noticed.

My opinion has always been that more than one city will get HQ2. As in, one city in the central part of the US (Austin, maybe) and another city on the east coast (D.C., maybe). But, who knows.

[Dale]

What I'm hearing ...

Austin is a lock

Atlanta is a lock

DC is a lock

Chicago is a lock

[Austin1971]

Originally Posted by Dale

What I'm hearing ...

Austin is a lock

Atlanta is a lock

DC is a lock

Chicago is a lock

So they're going with four locations instead of just one?

[N90]

I live in the ATL and people here that know about HQ2 act like it's their birthright to inherit the second AMZN HQ. It's not just the posters from ATL on this forum but also people in real life. Teachers, politicians, entertainers, businessmen, students, etc etc etc here all seem to have the same mentality for HQ2.

In a way having confidence in your city is a good thing and shows civic pride is strong but to make such grandiose expectations knowing that you're playing a game of chance is dangerously careless too. I also dislike the arrogant attitude many ATL posters have the moment someone suggests another city can win it. ATLiens have a lot in common with cats, both are territorial over things they feel belongs to them. It kinda disgusts me the same way a clingy ex does.

I kinda want ATL to get HQ2 so that way they can finally stop talking about it. It would finally let these people live their life in peace. I can name posters from ATL on this forum that have made following every AMZN HQ2 news their day job. After they announce HQ2, I can't imagine what these posters would do everyday to keep themselves busy when there's no HQ2 news to scour over the net. That's religiously obsessive bro....

ATL is a decent city and has as good a chance as anyone to get it... but this city needs to learn to be patient too.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Austin1971

So they're going with four locations instead of just one?

That was a joke because because those locations (mainly Chi & Atl) have some over the top boosterism going on.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by N90

I live in the ATL and people here that know about HQ2 act like it's their birthright to inherit the second AMZN HQ. It's not just the posters from ATL on this forum but also people in real life. Teachers, politicians, entertainers, businessmen, students, etc etc etc here all seem to have the same mentality for HQ2.

In a way having confidence in your city is a good thing and shows civic pride is strong but to make such grandiose expectations knowing that you're playing a game of chance is dangerously careless too. I also dislike the arrogant attitude many ATL posters have the moment someone suggests another city can win it. ATLiens have a lot in common with cats, both are territorial over things they feel belongs to them. It kinda disgusts me the same way a clingy ex does.

I kinda want ATL to get HQ2 so that way they can finally stop talking about it. It would finally let these people live their life in peace. I can name posters from ATL on this forum that have made following every AMZN HQ2 news their day job. After they announce HQ2, I can't imagine what these posters would do everyday to keep themselves busy when there's no HQ2 news to scour over the net. That's religiously obsessive bro....

ATL is a decent city and has as good a chance as anyone to get it... but this city needs to learn to be patient too.

I have always thought NoVa and Atl were the leading candidates. But I kinda hope it goes to NoVa just because the emotional meltdown in the Atl forum will be epic thus quite entertaining.

[Austin1971]

Originally Posted by The ATX

That was a joke because because those locations (mainly Chi & Atl) have some over the top boosterism going on.

Got it. Makes it that much sweeter if ATX gets it! Don't follow those other threads....

[drummer]

Does anyone else think that Leslie Pool may try to kill any chance of Amazon coming if Austin were chosen?

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by drummer

Does anyone else think that Leslie Pool may try to kill any chance of Amazon coming if Austin were chosen?

I’d say there’s a very high chance. Many of the voters who put her in office don’t want Amazon at all, even if Austin didn’t put down a single penny of incentives. Both she and Alter anyways. Hopefully more pragmatic minds would prevail.

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by drummer

Does anyone else think that Leslie Pool may try to kill any chance of Amazon coming if Austin were chosen?

She can’t stop them, so long as they don’t need anything from her/council, they may want something, but they won’t need anything. I believe there is plenty of room for Amazon downtown and other locals....that won’t require any variances (approval of council). I think the state will offer incentives, and that will be enough to get the job done. Once Amazon picks a city, the decision is made. Amazon, won’t be bothered to beg each city leader to accept them. Amazon will want to know the day they announce, they are good to go. Any city they chose will have nimbys that fight them.