Could Atlanta be in the running for second Amazon headquarters? (Washington: high crime, murder rate)

[bu2]

Originally Posted by DabOnEm

Agreed. In my opinion, the cities with the best shot are:

Atlanta, Chicago, and DFW

Outside shot are:

Austin, Boston, and Denver

Long shot are:

Houston, DC, Philly

I'd throw Baltimore in to the long shots. DC without the high costs.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by bu2

I'd throw Baltimore in to the long shots. DC without the high costs.

Doesn't Baltimore have a big crime problem? That could take them out of the running.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Doesn't Baltimore have a big crime problem? That could take them out of the running.

Fair point but other cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and DC also have crime issues. Furthermore, an eco-devo project of this magnitude would go a long way towards helping reduce crime issues in and of itself.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Fair point but other cities like Chicago, Atlanta, and DC also have crime issues. Furthermore, an eco-devo project of this magnitude would go a long way towards helping reduce crime issues in and of itself.

Crime in Baltimore is quite a bit higher than in Atlanta, especially violent crime. I've been to Baltimore a few times, and remember only thing about it: having to literally run from bums. They literally follow you down the street begging and will come running from a block away. Not the best picture.

I don't think Amazon is interested in fixing up a city. They want a city that is ready. But, your point is valid.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Crime in Baltimore is quite a bit higher than in Atlanta, especially violent crime. I've been to Baltimore a few times, and remember only thing about it: having to literally run from bums. They literally follow you down the street begging and will come running from a block away. Not the best picture.

Not discounting your experiences, but I've been visting Baltimore regularly since I moved to the DC area nearly two years ago and that's never happened to me. But if you want to talk panhandling in particular, that's just something that comes with the territory in a big city but I will say Baltimore seems to have a lot for a city its size, especially at intersections/stop lights.

I don't think Amazon is interested in fixing up a city. They want a city that is ready. But, your point is valid.

No one city really meets 100% of the criteria when you look at the requirements in depth. Atlanta has been cited as a top contender several times but the site most likely to be chosen for HQ2 if Atlanta is fortunate enough to land it, the Gulch, would certainly entail Amazon "fixing up a city," or at least that part of downtown.

If Amazon were to choose a city like Baltimore, you'd see the market respond almost immediately. I can imagine crime would see a significant reduction before the ribbon was even cut on phase 1 of the development.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Not discounting your experiences, but I've been visting Baltimore regularly since I moved to the DC area nearly two years ago and that's never happened to me. But if you want to talk panhandling in particular, that's just something that comes with the territory in a big city.

I mena, this was a long time ago...at least 15 years.

No one city really meets 100% of the criteria when you look at the requirements in depth. Atlanta has been cited as a top contender several times but the site most likely to be chosen for HQ2 if Atlanta is fortunate enough to land it, the Gulch, would certainly entail Amazon "fixing up a city," or at least that part of downtown.

If Amazon were to choose a city like Baltimore, you'd see the market respond almost immediately. I can imagine crime would see a significant reduction before the ribbon was even cut on phase 1 of the development.

Of course no city meets 100%. I just don't see Baltimore as a front-runner to this at all. Amazon locating in the Gulch would be simply developing that set of blocks, not trying to turn a city around.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Crime in Baltimore is quite a bit higher than in Atlanta, especially violent crime. I've been to Baltimore a few times, and remember only thing about it: having to literally run from bums. They literally follow you down the street begging and will come running from a block away. Not the best picture.

I don't think Amazon is interested in fixing up a city. They want a city that is ready. But, your point is valid.

As does Chicago.

Each city has pluses and minuses. With regard to getting talent, the Northeast is the best place to be for their second HQ. But then there are some minuses with going up there.

[bu2]

Sizing up Chicago for Amazon - Chicago Tribune

Speaking of Chicago-an evaluation by the local paper of their chances.

"...Expect Amazon to look closely at Atlanta and Dallas because Georgia and Texas are considered two of the best states for doing business. Forbes ranks them in the top 10. Illinois is stuck at No. 37...."

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

I mena, this was a long time ago...at least 15 years.



Of course no city meets 100%. I just don't see Baltimore as a front-runner to this at all. Amazon locating in the Gulch would be simply developing that set of blocks, not trying to turn a city around.

I don't think Baltimore is a front-runner but I think it is definitely a contender. Its negatives are well-known but it also has several positives, not the least of which is offering access to the huge, well-educated talent pool of the larger DC/Baltimore region with lower costs of doing business.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Crime in Baltimore is quite a bit higher than in Atlanta, especially violent crime. I've been to Baltimore a few times, and remember only thing about it: having to literally run from bums. They literally follow you down the street begging and will come running from a block away. Not the best picture.

I'm thinking of stuff like The Wire, not homeless people begging for money.