[tmugavero]

New York didn't lose anything by not having Amazon here. New York is a city built on diversity, and ensuring resources are available to maintain that diversity is important to the citizens. It's a matter of giving one huge handout to the most valuable company in the world that will destroy a community and drive up wages (bad for small businesses) and housing costs (bad for Queens), versus giving $5M to 100 small businesses who can create jobs and maintain diversity while keeping wages / housing in check. That not to mention, there are other infrastructural things in NYC that need attention / money. People here want money going back into the soul of the city, not to an outsider traipsing around to various cities looking for who will give the biggest handout. Amazon's big misstep here is that they acted like they were a gift to NYC, and didn't sell the dream of what value they'd bring to the city. New Yorkers will immediately tell people to fuck off with that approach.

Amazon's other missed opportunity is not intentionally choosing a smaller city like Austin or Denver, which would not only have amazing talent, schools, transportation, and culture, but would be far less costly. They would save more money in the long run and achieve the same results. But that's beside the point.

New York doesn't need Amazon, and I'm glad Amazon caved when the people pushed back. It shows that Amazon never cared about the people here and would bring nothing to the community.

edit: If you're going to downvote please comment why you disagree.

[inoop]

> It shows that Amazon never cared about the people here and would bring nothing to the community.

Jesus christ, no. The state put an outspoken opponent of the deal in a position where he has veto power to stop said deal. Then when Amazon execs tried to call this guy multiple times he refused to even take their call. That's why they pulled out.

[tmugavero]

They want to get a multibillion dollar deal done in a global economic center, and a few phone calls to one guy was enough for them to stop pursuing it? Pretty weak if that's the case. Nobody I've spoken with here has anything positive to say about Amazon being here, and there's no way it hinged on one person.

[inoop]

"The company tried to reach out to Gianaris — but he rejected three invitations to meet, according to a source."

source: https://nypost.com/2019/02/14/this-is-the-man-who-delivered-...

> there's no way it hinged on one person.

Well that's kinda what 'veto power' means ...

> Nobody I've spoken with here has anything positive to say about Amazon being here

That's funny, I live in NYC myself, and almost everyone I know was excited about it. We must have different friends I suppose.

[tmugavero]

Wait so all those people in the street with the protest signs were cheering FOR Amazon? Nope. Maybe the guy with veto power was put in place because he protects the city from BS like this? Possible. Our whole office is laughing at how Amazon approached this and couldn't get it done, so yeah maybe our bubbles don't overlap.

[unethical_ban]

Amazon and/or Austin would literally have to build in another part of the city and construct their own rail system to compete with how awful the traffic is.

Also, I disagree that diversity is a priority over long term tax revenue and infrastructure improvements and economic success.

Also, I didn't downvote you.

[tmugavero]

Austin's traffic is bad for sure. Dallas then perhaps, which at least has a rail going north (also bad traffic). That said, Queens absolutely values diversity. They mom and pop shops getting pushed out all over the city is creating a negative feedback loop. Some city officials and politicians may like the tax, but there are some that are also protective of the culture. It's a complex issue, but ultimately, New York is not an easy place to walk into. Lots of people to make happy on a deal this size.

[coredog64]

Long Island City is practically indistinguishable from Manhattan these days. Those mom and pop shops are going to be pushed out regardless of whether or not HQ2 is in LIC. At best, current residents have a reprieve that can be measured in months or two years at the outside.

[inoop]

> I disagree that diversity is a priority over long term tax revenue and infrastructure improvements and economic success

'Tech bros' are also diversity, and so are Trump supporters. You can't just pick and choose and create your own special brand of diversity that needs protection from groups and cultures you don't like.