Could Atlanta be in the running for second Amazon headquarters? (Doraville: schools, university)

[JoeP]

Atlanta is doing more than fine. No need to spend more tax payer money in a bidding war to get them.

[Leopoldbloom]

I think the top contenders are:

NY (Bezos has an apartment there; financial capital of the world; unparalleled access to Europe and Middle East; lots of tech talent)

Boston (great tech talent)

Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago will offer enormous incentives.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Leopoldbloom

I think the top contenders are:

NY (Bezos has an apartment there; financial capital of the world; unparalleled access to Europe and Middle East; lots of tech talent)

Boston (great tech talent)

Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago will offer enormous incentives.

I think the costs of business are too high in NY and Boston, and Boston's tech talent is of a different sort (e.g., biotech) than what you find in Seattle.

I think Atlanta, a Texas metro, and Chicago would be the top contenders.

[flyonpa]

With That much current and future Square Footage needed, It will have to be ether a Green Field Project, Or a Huge Tear Down.

Since I have not been in a mall in 10? years, How is the North Point Mall Doing?

Many be it would speed Marta getting the Red Line Extension done in less then a lifetime. ... After all North Fulton as been paying the Marta tax since 1971 for sub/standard bus service.

But I think if its built in the Atlanta Area it will be in Clayton county along the Marta (To be Built) rail routes as a tear down of one of the under used mall along the route.



Where I think it will be Built? Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. Amazon just signed a longterm ?lease/purchase? for 900+ acres for a air hub there. A good middle of the US location, Has a good labor force, Low cost housing, Good tax environment in both OH and KY. Both States that are looking for Mid Level Corporate jobs to replace the blue & mine collar jobs they are losing.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by arjay57

If Amazon builds in North Fulton they should help fund transit out there.

Amazon wants immediate transit access for their initial phase in 2019, which would rule out anything north of Perimeter Center.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by bu2

That RFP just seethes with arrogance. I'm not sure I'd want them. They will insist on a lot. October 19th is a very short timeline.

Atlanta is in a good position. Logically, with a west coast office, eastern time zone sites would have an advantage over central time zone like Chicago, Dallas or Houston. And they mention direct flights to DC and NY, so it doesn't seem like they are interested in the high cost northeast. That airport access also gives Atlanta a big advantage over Charlotte and Raleigh. So Atlanta vs. Miami?

Miami typically isn't in the running for eco devo projects like these.

Charlotte's airport is competitive though and they are expanding light rail, so they could be in contention.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by flyonpa

With That much current and future Square Footage needed, It will have to be ether a Green Field Project, Or a Huge Tear Down.

Since I have not been in a mall in 10? years, How is the North Point Mall Doing?

Many be it would speed Marta getting the Red Line Extension done in less then a lifetime. ... After all North Fulton as been paying the Marta tax since 1971 for sub/standard bus service.

But I think if its built in the Atlanta Area it will be in Clayton county along the Marta (To be Built) rail routes as a tear down of one of the under used mall along the route.



Where I think it will be Built? Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. Amazon just signed a longterm ?lease/purchase? for 900+ acres for a air hub there. A good middle of the US location, Has a good labor force, Low cost housing, Good tax environment in both OH and KY. Both States that are looking for Mid Level Corporate jobs to replace the blue & mine collar jobs they are losing.

The tech talent and transit access are not as strong there. Columbus might be better for Ohio.

[JoeP]

The tech talent aspect may or may not be a consideration. While I'm sure it's preferred, but to what extent?

This is a unique get - this is field of dreams scenario. Build that HQ and talent will come.

It seems like an eastern location would make sense to balance the west coast - why go only as far as Dallas?

Atlanta will surely be considered. Boston will be too. I think that DC will be in the mix, along with Charlotte.
Dark horse cities will be Pittsburgh (COL coupled with amenities and tech) and already mentioned Cincy (or somewhere else in OH due to low COL/cost coupled with decent amenities in any of Ohio's "3 C's").

This will be costly for the "winner" city and state.

[Leopoldbloom]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

I think the costs of business are too high in NY and Boston, and Boston's tech talent is of a different sort (e.g., biotech) than what you find in Seattle.

I think Atlanta, a Texas metro, and Chicago would be the top contenders.

Amazon has huge connections to NY. NY is building a huge new business district called the Hudson Yards, which already has pre- leased around 5m sf of new office space.

[therealpattman]

What about the old GM plant site in Doraville?