Should Baltimore be Amazon HQ2? (cost, bus, suite)

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by Spudcommando

Was Baltimore ever a serious contender? I mean seriously...between the hilariously high crime rate and populace that's not exactly highly educated in general, who seriously believed that Baltimore was in serious contention for the prize?

Sure, it probably wasn’t seriously in contention, although in terms of education, Baltimore metro is typically in the top 15 or so in the country, so I’m not sure education was necessarily a sticking point.

[Digger 68]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

But there is a location in Maryland and a slew of cities led by Democrats on the shortlist...

This was funny. That moron can never shut his trap.

[Digger 68]

I hope they stay out of Maryland. I do not need to give them a dime of my money through taxes.

[james777]

Originally Posted by Spudcommando

Was Baltimore ever a serious contender? I mean seriously...between the hilariously high crime rate and populace that's not exactly highly educated in general, who seriously believed that Baltimore was in serious contention for the prize?

The above is what a typical Northern Virginia idiot thinks about Baltimore. My first year college roommates were from Northern Virginia and I never heard the end of how horrible Baltimore is.

According to Forbes, (a good source; they are not known for fake news) Baltimore is the ninth most educated city in the country.

https://www.forbes.com/pictures/fjle.../#214bdd7b7cd3

According to the NYT, (they are known for fake news, but I don't think this chart is fake) the Baltimore area is number 14 in the country for most college educated. That beats Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Columbus, Charlotte, Dallas, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Miami, all of whom are still in the running.

Cities with the Most College-Educated Residents - Graphic - NYTimes.com

[james777]

Originally Posted by Digger 68

I hope they stay out of Maryland. I do not need to give them a dime of my money through taxes.

I agree with you that we taxpayers should not be giving benefit packages to corporations, but no matter where they go, our federal tax dollars will be used to get the company to move there.

[Calvert Hall '62]

Originally Posted by Spudcommando

Was Baltimore ever a serious contender? I mean seriously...between the hilariously high crime rate and populace that's not exactly highly educated in general, who seriously believed that Baltimore was in serious contention for the prize?

A high crime rate is hilarious?

[Woodlands]

Its interesting that Newark, NJ is a finalist and suffers from some of the same ills as Baltimore.. though they have made great strides.. Its proximity to NYC (like Baltimore's to DC) likely is having a spillover effect now that places like Jersey City and Hoboken are now pricey. Even if Newark does not get the headquarters.. the publicity of being a finalist bodes well for the City in terms of PR and bragging rights to add to some of the real changes happening on the ground. Newark is also a third of the size of Baltimore which helps in terms of managing some of the challenges it faces...

[choccity]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

Its interesting that Newark, NJ is a finalist and suffers from some of the same ills as Baltimore.. though they have made great strides.. Its proximity to NYC (like Baltimore's to DC) likely is having a spillover effect now that places like Jersey City and Hoboken are now pricey. Even if Newark does not get the headquarters.. the publicity of being a finalist bodes well for the City in terms of PR and bragging rights to add to some of the real changes happening on the ground. Newark is also a third of the size of Baltimore which helps in terms of managing some of the challenges it faces...

Newark also has NJ Transit, PATH trains, Amtrak and Ferry Svcs. in addition to the subway. Newark is actually closer to NY than Baltimore is DC, so a subway ride is quick.


I think what's being overlooked is that Baltimore does not have the infrastructure to support HQ2.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by choccity

Newark also has NJ Transit, PATH trains, Amtrak and Ferry Svcs. in addition to the subway. Newark is actually closer to NY than Baltimore is DC, so a subway ride is quick.


I think what's being overlooked is that Baltimore does not have the infrastructure to support HQ2.

Someone mentioned the cancellation of the Red Line as another factor.. I still don't understand why a tunnel under Cooks Lane and Downtown had to be constructed which sent the price tag through the roof. There was a proposal by some transit advocates to keep the tracks on the surface and to use the existing Howard Street Corridor as a "central spine" with tracks going to and from SE Baltimore running on Pratt Street. Some argued that it would still be SLOW.. But "Central Spine" concept would have allowed Baltimore to quadruple the number of Light Rail train routes.. (ex. Woodlawn to BWI or Canton to BWI, Canton to Hunt Valley or Hunt Valley to Woodlawn) since the trains would use various interlocks along Howard Street to travel to these various destinations. You would also have dozens of transfer points to local buses that are already using the surface. Then the proposed extension into Port Covington could even add an additional dynamic.. The light rail wouldn't run to BWI from Port Covington.. but could run from Port Covington to Penn Station which would allow for a transfer onto the MARC or even Amtrak.


Again, I don't know why the SRB didn't sit down with Hogan and proffer this revamp when she had the opportunity to do it when it became clear that he was going to pull the plug. She said the City would have a plan.. and then didn't do anything.. which then prompted Hogan to do the Baltimore Link thing in the absence of her leadership. Seems like the less costly alternative would have allowed for Hogan to do both the Purple and the Red Line..> But without any direction or leadership coming from the city (SRB I think had checked out and was weighing her re-election chances which she ultimately punted on) it left a void and few alternatives

[choccity]

I did mention on another thread that I think the RED Line being canceled didn't help with securing Amazon 2.


I have heard that Ben Jealous and others running for MD Governor want to bring the 'Red Line' back to the negotiating table.