Amazon in Detroit

[Crowbob]

I got news for this writer from the Detroit Free Press. Not having a mass transit system in Detroit is not the reason for Amazon not going there.

Want an Amazon HQ in metro Detroit? Shoulda voted for transit | Kaffer

[daepp]

Why would they build a headquarters there? For the weather? For their ability to attract young professionals to the Motor City? For the great airport? Oh wait, the (actually very nice airport) is in another city.

Must be the dearth of mass transit.

Oh wait, what about that bustling monorail...

[Scott R]

I think Austin will be in the finals for this. But, yea, no where with crummy weather.

[TheMentat]

Just think about all the talent they'd be able to attract with a headquarters in Detroit!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by daepp

Why would they build a headquarters there? For the weather? For their ability to attract young professionals to the Motor City? For the great airport? Oh wait, the (actually very nice airport) is in another city.

Must be the dearth of mass transit.

Oh wait, what about that bustling monorail...

Cheap land and buildings compared to other cities, last major city to rebound from the downturn in the early 1970's.

From the opening article:

"We’ve told people that if you invest in things like bus rapid transit, commuter rail, or just improved transit in general, that has an impact in economic development," said Carmine Palombo, deputy executive director of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. "So*far, we haven’t found the right messages."
Just ask Amazon.*

The buses suck from what I've read, my childhood memories aside.

QLine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QLine

The QLine (stylized as QLINE), originally known as M-1 Rail by its developers and the Woodward Avenue Streetcar by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), is a streetcar system in Detroit in the US state of Michigan. Opened on May 12, 2017, it runs along M-1 (Woodward Avenue).[2]..........................

The QLine opened for public use on May 12, 2017.[2] Although initially slated to be free only for the first weekend, the streetcar's free period was later extended for a week, and later until July 1. Ridership for the opening week was 50,000, with a peak of 8,300 during the weekend and 5,120 Monday through Thursday.[45]

It's real, just not enough.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I think Boston has a real chance at getting Amazon. We just got GE to move their world headquarters here, have Harvard and MIT and the most innovative workforce available East of CA.

[BReif61]

They've been talking about this Amazon HQ being built in Baltimore. There is already a distribution center here, so it's not completely outlandish to think it is possible. They'll just have to deal with the Baltimore's reputation when it comes time to bring in talent.

[john70t]

Detroit city council needs to get on the ball. Now is the time.

First the City wanted the Packard Plant torn down:
https://www.manufacturing.net/news/2010/07/detroit-wants-old-packard-plant-torn-down
"The city wants the east side plant torn down and likely will move it through Detroit's condemnation procedure, which entails a number of hearings and appearances before the City Council, Henderson said.
Bioresource officials, including Casab, also may be asked to come forward and give depositions. Demolition and cleanup of the site could cost [[TAXPAYERS]] upward of $20 million, Henderson said."

Cool Peruvian millionaire buys it for $400k to make 40-acre site into manufacturing, building a go-kart track and apts/condos. Starting over from scratch and using the same original architecture firm who built the place a century ago. That is huge.
New Packard Plant owner Fernando Palazuelo says he can surprise Detroit's doubters | MLive.com
Palazuelo said he's working closely with the Albert Kahn company on a plan that he claims would honor the Packard's history. Construction of the building, led by architect Albert Kahn, began in 1903 and was completed in 1911."

But this inbred fraudulent Detroit crap still happens and quenches business(along with mayor Quami and every single person who defended him):
Report: Former owner of Detroit's Packard Plant claims sale was botched | MLive.com
" The former owner of Detroit’s abandoned Packard Plant, which was sold in a tax foreclosure auction by Wayne County last year, says the title to the 42-parcel property was not properly transferred, and is asking for money from the new owner to resolve the issue"

[epbrown]

I was surprised to hear they're looking in the US anyway. They've got distribution centers all over the world - I'd think they'd want a 2nd HQ closer to those facilities.

[tabs]

My Dad used to work in that Packard plant on East Grand as a Tool & Die Maker from 35 to 45. During the war he made a lot of money, and by nature was a saver. He used to tell me that he would sometimes walk through the 2ND floor where Packard built the custom bodied cars...He also worked on the RR Merlin prototypes that were to be used in the P-38. There is a picture of him in the Packard book...in the RR Merlin chapter.

[tabs]

TAXES, Corruption, Crime and being a BK city...

Wayne County is a POS.

[jcommin]

I think it will be in the Midwest - Chicago maybe. Boeing, Google already here.

Whoever gets it, it is a game changer. Google changed the west loop as did McDonalds. Property values just sky rocketed. $800 - $1000/sq ft in that area.

[Brian 162]

Buffalo is showing interest, plus our Mayor is hoping Amazon will set up shop in Toronto. My guess they will go with the best incentives, and tax breaks.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by epbrown

I was surprised to hear they're looking in the US anyway. They've got distribution centers all over the world - I'd think they'd want a 2nd HQ closer to those facilities.

We have offices all over the globe to go with those distribution centers.

I'm hoping they land on AZ. We already have a ton of office space in Tempe, so I'm sure it's on the list.

[scottmandue]

Heard that Long Beach Ca. is interested... but with the Ca. tax situation doubt Amazon would go for it.

[targa911S]

Pittsburgh has their hat in the ring as well.

[E38Driver]

My prediction is :
1. Austin, TX.
2. Denver, CO.
3. San Antonio, TX.
4. Nashville, TN.
5. Atlanta, GA.

I really think it will be #2.

Dave

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by targa911S

Pittsburgh has their hat in the ring as well.

Let's face it, every major city is making a run at it.


E38 driver, curious why you left AZ off your list. Amazon already has a large presence here and the local officials are big in pushing for big companies to come here.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by E38Driver

My prediction is :
1. Austin, TX.
2. Denver, CO.
3. San Antonio, TX.
4. Nashville, TN.
5. Atlanta, GA.

I really think it will be #2.

Dave

Might be hard to compete for workers.

... "Our work force is being drained by the pot industry,” Denver restaurateur Bryan Dayton told the site. “Enter the weed business, which pays $22 an hour with full benefits..."

Denver marijuana industry is eating into area’s restaurant jobs | Fox News

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by E38Driver

My prediction is :
1. Austin, TX.
2. Denver, CO.
3. San Antonio, TX.
4. Nashville, TN.
5. Atlanta, GA.

I really think it will be #2.

Dave

Looks like a list of places that would be attractive for young people to live in.

Music, recreation, culture, climate.............