United States

Amazon in ‘Advanced Talks' to Build New HQ in Crystal City: Report

Amazon announced last year plans to open a second headquarters with 50,000 workers

Retail giant Amazon Inc. is in "advanced talks" to open its second headquarters in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Amazon, based in Seattle, is apparently seriously considering the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia, the Post said, citing unidentified sources.

Amazon announced last year that the retail giant was looking to open a second headquarters somewhere in the U.S., bringing with it as many as 50,000 new jobs. Several state and local governments threw their hats in the ring, offering Amazon millions in tax incentives if they opened their new headquarters in their city.

The Washington metropolitan area was long considered a top contender for Amazon's second headquarters. Company founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos already had several connections to the Washington area. He's the owner of The Washington Post and owns a home in the area. When the company announced a list of 20 top contenders in January, it included both Washington as well as Montgomery County, Maryland.

Crystal City is served by a mass transit system and major highways, both qualifications that Amazon has said is required for its new headquarters.

Because Amazon is reportedly in "advanced talks" does not mean the deal is certain. Shortly after the Post published its story, Mike Grella, Amazon's economic development director posted on Twitter, "Memo to the genius leaking info about Crystal City, VA as #HQ2 selection. You're not doing Crystal City, VA any favors."

Some Northern Virginians have said they don't want the second headquarters coming to the area.

The Metro DC Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America launched a site "NOVA Says No To Amazon" in March and said local leaders were being secretive about what they are offering the company to draw it to Virginia.

“This entire process has been conducted in remarkable opacity, which creates a race to the bottom between municipalities to offer the biggest package of tax and subsidy deals to Amazon that they can cobble together,” Colin Downes, a spokesperson for the Metro DC DSA previously told News4.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us