[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by Lalalally

Locating in a depressed area for HQ2 would provide for a limited local talent pool to draw from, limited/non-existant access to reliable and well-served airports and public transportation systems, and access to basic limited infrastructure

Amazon is being responsible not to choose that route. It’s not its duty to do so, nor would be a wise choice.
It’s a publicly traded company and has a responsibility to its shareholders first and foremost. Might sound harsh, but it’s the truth.

Bezos personally though, on the otherhand, can follow the lead of the Carnegies of this country by making an everlasting positive impact on struggling communities throughout our country

Newark international airport is one of the busiest in the country and serves not only NJ, but a good part of New York City as well. Personally take the train from Penn Station, car service, or whatever to get there from Manhattan as it is easier than JFK.


Newark also has excellent rail service both commuter and Amtrak thanks to the North East Corridor which is the old PRR mainline into Penn Station/Manhattan.


Finally Newark is very well served for automobile traffic via the NJT, tunnels under Hudson River and so forth.


Problem with Newark is what one has already stated, it is a hood with not a huge population of college educated talent that Amazon wants/needs.


Companies locate or relocate to Newark when or if they cannot afford Manhattan just across the river. Amazon clearly isn't in that situation.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by BugsyPal

Newark international airport is one of the busiest in the country and serves not only NJ, but a good part of New York City as well. Personally take the train from Penn Station, car service, or whatever to get there from Manhattan as it is easier than JFK.


Newark also has excellent rail service both commuter and Amtrak thanks to the North East Corridor which is the old PRR mainline into Penn Station/Manhattan.


Finally Newark is very well served for automobile traffic via the NJT, tunnels under Hudson River and so forth.


Problem with Newark is what one has already stated, it is a hood with not a huge population of college educated talent that Amazon wants/needs.


Companies locate or relocate to Newark when or if they cannot afford Manhattan just across the river. Amazon clearly isn't in that situation.

Newark Rail is convenient, but the station, and area its in, is hardly welcoming. I have used the station,
having lived in NJ, but would have welcomed a way to avoid it, via rail.

Amazon would lose a large chunk of talent base had it gone there. It made very wise choices today. All 3 regions will provide it the talent it needs.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by BugsyPal

No offense but Newark is a hood with a corrupt entrenched government at that. Even Cory Booker legged it out of there soon as he could.


Things have gotten a bit better, but basically the place is what it is, and that won't change without some serious gentrification, the sort which would clear out 80% (or more) of what is there and start over.

I totally agree. It looks as if the 60s riots ended days ago. Depressing city. NJ Newark Penn is not a station millennials would willingly go through, in quantities Amazon needs, to get to work. Neither would I, in that situation.

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

I totally agree. It looks as if the 60s riots ended days ago. Depressing city. NJ Newark Penn is not a station millennials would willingly go through, in quantities Amazon needs, to get to work. Neither would I, in that situation.

Newark can turn around just like Brooklyn and Stamford. Stamford South End was undesirable place in 2006 look at now in 2018.

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Newark can turn around just like Brooklyn and Stamford. Stamford South End was undesirable place in 2006 look at now in 2018.

Again Newark has been attempting to "turn around" for decades now; and even Cory Booker gave up and left for the senate in Washington.


Newark's problems stem largely from the native and some surrounding areas; to wit crime, violence, and nearly every other social ill that has plagued many American urban areas since white flight commenced in earnest after the 1960's. People were getting carjacked on the roads surrounding Newark airport for goodness sakes.


Numbers don't lie: Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site



https://www.cnbc.com/2015/05/12/is-n...naissance.html


Then you have the fact Newark is in, well New Jersey. A state probably second only to New York across the river for driving businesses/industries out of their borders. https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/20...e_economy.html


As one said, Newark does have some great things going for it; Panasonic and a few others obviously thought so when establishing headquarters in that city. But nothing major will come of the place until there is a vast clearing out of certain elements, and that includes certain politicians.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Newark can turn around just like Brooklyn and Stamford. Stamford South End was undesirable place in 2006 look at now in 2018.

Stamford was never remotely comparable to Newark.

Stamford went from somewhat desirable to plain desirable.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Newark can turn around just like Brooklyn and Stamford. Stamford South End was undesirable place in 2006 look at now in 2018.

Far different. Newark has had 50 years, and has an ultra low Labor Force Participation Rate. Its problems are systemic.

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by BugsyPal

Newark international airport is one of the busiest in the country and serves not only NJ, but a good part of New York City as well. Personally take the train from Penn Station, car service, or whatever to get there from Manhattan as it is easier than JFK.


Newark also has excellent rail service both commuter and Amtrak thanks to the North East Corridor which is the old PRR mainline into Penn Station/Manhattan.


Finally Newark is very well served for automobile traffic via the NJT, tunnels under Hudson River and so forth.


Problem with Newark is what one has already stated, it is a hood with not a huge population of college educated talent that Amazon wants/needs.


Companies locate or relocate to Newark when or if they cannot afford Manhattan just across the river. Amazon clearly isn't in that situation.

Amazon already has a presence in Newark with the HQ for subsidiary Audible.

In VA the Crystal City location is across the highway from an airport. Can't get much closer than that.

In LIC the company gets a taxpayer funded heliport.

Newark was probably only on the list to push top contenders into bigger incentive deals.

[Manhatta]

Originally Posted by CT_Yank

Per reports, I guess this is good for lower FFC but really shocked by Queens location. Expensive and congrestion nightmare.

LIC is beautiful and upcoming, not to mention that it's close to the Bezos' residence. I know that this isn't the NY forum, rather the CT one, but LIC really is up and coming, and you can see that in the recent years residential and office development has really started to take off. Will definitely be interesting to watch. FFC will definitely benefit from all of this, but really am not sure as to if the rest of CT will really be affected.

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by Manhatta

LIC is beautiful and upcoming, not to mention that it's close to the Bezos' residence. I know that this isn't the NY forum, rather the CT one, but LIC really is up and coming, and you can see that in the recent years residential and office development has really started to take off. Will definitely be interesting to watch. FFC will definitely benefit from all of this, but really am not sure as to if the rest of CT will really be affected.

If there were direct rail service to Queens/LIC more of CT would benefit.


As things stand it's either drive or take Metro North to GCT, then E, M, or R trains to Queens Plaza, the N, Q, or 7 to Queensboro Plaza, the G to Court Square, the E or M to 23rd Street-Ely Avenue, or the 7 to 45th Road or Hunterspoint Avenue.


While doable, don't know now many would want to for a daily commute.