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Amazon HQ2: How New York and Virginia Won the Beauty Contest Amazon HQ2: How New York and Virginia Won the Beauty Contest
(35 minutes later)
After 14 months of pitches, meetings and offers of incentives and name changes, Amazon announced on Tuesday that its second headquarters would be on two sites: one in Long Island City, Queens, and another in Arlington, Va. The company is also developing a smaller operations and logistics facility in Nashville.After 14 months of pitches, meetings and offers of incentives and name changes, Amazon announced on Tuesday that its second headquarters would be on two sites: one in Long Island City, Queens, and another in Arlington, Va. The company is also developing a smaller operations and logistics facility in Nashville.
Here are some details you might have missed in all the coverage:Here are some details you might have missed in all the coverage:
Company executives flew to New York just to establish that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio could put aside their longstanding differences.Company executives flew to New York just to establish that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio could put aside their longstanding differences.
Although the two have clashed on everything from the subway to handling deer, they were all smiles on Tuesday. “I know him so well, it’s just more open and verbal,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Whether it’s good or bad.”Although the two have clashed on everything from the subway to handling deer, they were all smiles on Tuesday. “I know him so well, it’s just more open and verbal,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Whether it’s good or bad.”
Amazon’s chief executive, Jeff Bezos, will be able to come to work by flying over the East River — where kayakers now bob. Office buildings will rise and make room for 25,000 workers. How can this happen so fast? The state and city will bypass City Council, which has the power to block rezoning and land use measures.Amazon’s chief executive, Jeff Bezos, will be able to come to work by flying over the East River — where kayakers now bob. Office buildings will rise and make room for 25,000 workers. How can this happen so fast? The state and city will bypass City Council, which has the power to block rezoning and land use measures.
New York’s leaders have also agreed to remake the Queens waterfront, move a distribution center for school lunches, and provide a package of $1.7 billion in incentives from the state and hundreds of millions more from the city.New York’s leaders have also agreed to remake the Queens waterfront, move a distribution center for school lunches, and provide a package of $1.7 billion in incentives from the state and hundreds of millions more from the city.
He already owns a huge home near the Arlington site — a former textile museum in the wealthy Kalorama neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C., just a few miles away. But he did not tour — and has not yet toured — that site or Queens. Company executives ran the selection process in both states.He already owns a huge home near the Arlington site — a former textile museum in the wealthy Kalorama neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C., just a few miles away. But he did not tour — and has not yet toured — that site or Queens. Company executives ran the selection process in both states.
Amazon’s offices will spill over into parts of the Pentagon City neighborhood and Alexandria. Local officials rebranded the two-and-a-half-mile urban stretch, connected by three Metro subway stations along the Potomac, as a new neighborhood and called it National Landing.Amazon’s offices will spill over into parts of the Pentagon City neighborhood and Alexandria. Local officials rebranded the two-and-a-half-mile urban stretch, connected by three Metro subway stations along the Potomac, as a new neighborhood and called it National Landing.
It will rejuvenate a place filled with dated office buildings developed in the 1970s for military contractors. Some of that space has been sitting empty since the Pentagon reorganized after the Sept. 11 attacks.It will rejuvenate a place filled with dated office buildings developed in the 1970s for military contractors. Some of that space has been sitting empty since the Pentagon reorganized after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The rebranding has already sparked conversation on social media.
Mr. Cuomo said he was doing everything that he could to lure Amazon in.Mr. Cuomo said he was doing everything that he could to lure Amazon in.
“I’ll change my name to Amazon Cuomo if that’s what it takes,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Because it would be a great economic boost.”“I’ll change my name to Amazon Cuomo if that’s what it takes,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Because it would be a great economic boost.”
It will take about one million square feet in the 50-story Citicorp building on Long Island City. There was debate over whether the company would replace the Citi logo, which is visible from Manhattan. But Amazon is not interested in a sign. Alicia Glen, the deputy mayor for economic development, pointed out that the area is known as Anable Basin, “I’m guessing they’re going to call it Amazon Basin.”It will take about one million square feet in the 50-story Citicorp building on Long Island City. There was debate over whether the company would replace the Citi logo, which is visible from Manhattan. But Amazon is not interested in a sign. Alicia Glen, the deputy mayor for economic development, pointed out that the area is known as Anable Basin, “I’m guessing they’re going to call it Amazon Basin.”
What do you give a man who is one of the world wealthiest people? Business leaders in Tucson tried to mail Mr. Bezos a 21-foot cactus. The plant was returned — it would have suffered in the Seattle rain anyway. The mayor of Frisco, Tex., offered the chance of getting a Jamba Juice and catching the “Frisco Flu.” Canada’s offering was just Canada.What do you give a man who is one of the world wealthiest people? Business leaders in Tucson tried to mail Mr. Bezos a 21-foot cactus. The plant was returned — it would have suffered in the Seattle rain anyway. The mayor of Frisco, Tex., offered the chance of getting a Jamba Juice and catching the “Frisco Flu.” Canada’s offering was just Canada.
As noted above, New York promised Amazon at least $1.7 billion in incentives. Virginia promised incentives worth $573 million, including $550 million in cash grants.As noted above, New York promised Amazon at least $1.7 billion in incentives. Virginia promised incentives worth $573 million, including $550 million in cash grants.
Economists have long criticized tax incentives as inefficient and unnecessary measures that leave less money for education and public works. Altogether, the two locations offered more than $2 billion in tax credits, rebates and other incentives to Amazon.Economists have long criticized tax incentives as inefficient and unnecessary measures that leave less money for education and public works. Altogether, the two locations offered more than $2 billion in tax credits, rebates and other incentives to Amazon.
Bryce Covert, a contributing opinion writer, also notes that the lucrative deals being given to Amazon may mean that other cities will expect similar treatment when they try to set up shop.Bryce Covert, a contributing opinion writer, also notes that the lucrative deals being given to Amazon may mean that other cities will expect similar treatment when they try to set up shop.
In New York, the company will be a stone’s throw from Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing complex in the United States. The buildings are home to a mostly black and Hispanic population with a median household income well below the federal poverty level. Local residents have expressed worry that jobs at Amazon would not be open to them. Amazon has promised training and internship programs and to participated in job fairs at the housing complex.In New York, the company will be a stone’s throw from Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing complex in the United States. The buildings are home to a mostly black and Hispanic population with a median household income well below the federal poverty level. Local residents have expressed worry that jobs at Amazon would not be open to them. Amazon has promised training and internship programs and to participated in job fairs at the housing complex.
New companies in Long Island City have already transforming the semi-industrial waterfront area and are drawing in moneyed professionals, raising concerns that more intense gentrification will drive up costs.New companies in Long Island City have already transforming the semi-industrial waterfront area and are drawing in moneyed professionals, raising concerns that more intense gentrification will drive up costs.