 Joe Honick |
I'm a customer of Amazon Prime and appreciate the level of service.
On the other hand, it is worth considering the implications with respect to the heavily promoted Amazon search for a second headquarters city and the virtual begging of communities wanting to be selected. The incessant urban scraping and winking is not much different from what happens at beauty contests.
But at least the "losing" Amazon venues can now get on with their own urban lives.
For better or worse, Crystal City and NYC are stuck with Jess Bezos and the gang. They will benefit and suffer for hosting Amazon.
Undoubtedly, new jobs, retail investments and other goodies will flow to Crystal City and LIC.
At the same time, many locals and others moving into those communities will find out what happened in Seattle as it struggled with the massive economic impact of both Amazon and Microsoft. Soaring real estate costs, exorbitant apartment rents and increased municipal rates drove many long-time residents and businesses from the city.
What will get less attention over time will be the ways in which the CC and NYC officials have tossed civic pride aside to shower more and more corporate breaks on Amazon in return for a promise of better times ahead.
And the challenge facing Amazon: living up to its end of the bargain. Many will watch how it demonstrates respect for the people, community and the economies of both its 2HQ partners.
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Joe Honick is an international consultant to business and government and writes for many publications. He can be reached at [email protected]
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