Amazon Goes to Queens
Nicole Gelinas joins Howard Husock to discuss Amazon’s decision in its year-long “HQ2” competition. This week, the company announced it would open new offices in Crystal City, Virginia near Washington, D.C. and New York’s own Long Island City, Queens.
Long Island City is a once-dilapidated industrial neighborhood just across the East River from midtown Manhattan. Beginning in the early 2000s, rezoning allowed the construction of dozens of new luxury residential buildings and modern office towers. At the same time, the other parts of the neighborhood are home to some of city’s largest public housing projects and poorly-run schools.
In total, New York State is offering Amazon more than $1.5 billion in direct tax breaks and grants to create 25,000 jobs — or about $48,000 a job. Community leaders and elected officials are already making demands on Amazon since its announcement: funding for transit fixes, employment for local residents, unionization, and more. As more details emerge from the city and state’s agreement with the company (ex: Amazon’s private helipad will be limited to 120 landings a year), many New Yorkers are skeptical.
