Amazon Abandons Queens Headquarters Over Local Political Opposition
Amazon officially cancels its plans to build a massive headquarters in Long Island City after facing fierce pushback from local politicians and community groups.
Amazon abruptly drops its plans to build a second headquarters in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens. The online retail giant cites pushback from state and local politicians as the primary reason for abandoning the massive project, noting that officials refuse to build the necessary relationships to move forward.
The cancelled deal leaves behind a vision that included 4 million square feet of commercial space and 25,000 new jobs over the next decade. Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio originally brokered the agreement by offering nearly $3 billion in tax incentives, beating out over 200 other competing cities across North America.
Critics of the project celebrate the cancellation, pointing to the massive tax breaks, Amazon's anti-union stance, and fears of skyrocketing neighborhood rents. Amazon states it will not reopen the HQ2 search and instead proceeds with its alternate plans in Arlington, Virginia and Nashville, Tennessee.