Readers: OK To Raze For Amazon’s HQ2

Last week Amazon announced it planned to build a second headquarters somewhere in North America. Every Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of at least 1 million people is likely interested in attracting Amazon. That’s roughly 50 regions just in the US, the St. Louis region is 20th in size on this list. Though we’ve been Amazon Prime members for at least 5 years, I wasn’t very familiar with their Seattle headquarters. I still thought they were on Beacon Hill, but they’d moved to a part of Seattle I’ve visited numerous times over the last 25 years: South Lake Union.

Several years ago we outgrew our space and we made a conscious choice to invest in downtown Seattle—even though it would have been cheaper to move to the suburbs. We now employ more than 40,000 people in Seattle who come from all around the world. Our employees tell us that they love being in the heart of the city. In fact, about 15% live in the same zip code as their office and about 20% walk to work. And they frequent the restaurants, food trucks and shops that have popped up all around South Lake Union, the neighborhood in Seattle we call home. (Amazon)

This video shows how they feel about their “urban campus.”

My last visit to Seattle was in the Spring of 2009, before Amazon moved to South Lake Union, I rode their new modern Seattle Streetcar.  Streetfilms posted a video about the same time I was there.

Construction on condos & offices was happening, but there was still lots of low-rise buildings and surface parking lots.

In 2003 their streetcar project was just a dream.

You don’t have to be a lifelong Seattleite to remember the old, down-at-heel South Lake Union of the 1990s — less a neighborhood than a patchwork of parking lots, warehouses and low-slung industrial buildings. It felt like a ghost town, even at midday.

No more.
Today, 36,000 people work in the neighborhood, almost a 50 percent jump just since 2009, the year before Amazon relocated its headquarters here from Beacon Hill. At the corner of Westlake and Denny — where Whole Foods opened in 2006 — the number of pedestrians nearly quadrupled in just five years, according to counts conducted by the Downtown Seattle Association. At peak time, 1,711 people cross there every hour — their faces buried in their phones, no doubt.

On a stroll down Westlake Avenue, you can shop for swank home goods at West Elm, dine at Tom Douglas’ upscale pizza parlor or even splurge on an electro-luxury car at the Tesla showroom. (Seattle Times w/before & after photos)

What does this have to do with St. Louis’ bid to land Amazon’s HQ2? Everything.

First, I think the modern streetcar investment was a big incentive for Amazon when they selected South Lake Union over suburban sites. Had St. Louis moved forward on the St. Louis Streetcar project connecting downtown to the Central West End we’d be in a much better position. Modern streetcar lines and light rail lines use the same vehicles — the placement/design of the tracks is the difference, Light rail is great for moving people smoothly over long distances at speeds equal to or faster than bus/car. Light rail, however, can’t compete with the modern streetcar line for revitalizing a corridor through increased economic development, pedestrian activity, etc.  The bus isn’t a smooth ride!  Vox took a critical look at streetcars, watch their video here.

Second, our campuses are anti-urban monstrosities. Take Saint Louis University or the BJC/Washington University Medical campuses as examples — both have decimated the street grid. Both have created a gated enclave atmosphere. Chicago’s Northwestern Medical campus, like Amazon’s HQ1, has retained the street grid and is not contiguous. Amazon wants regions to be creative, HQ2 may or may not resemble;e HQ1.

More than half of those who voted in the recent non-scientific Sunday Poll favor razing an existing area to get HQ2:

Q: Agree or disagree: Leveling an existing area would be worth it to get Amazon’s HQ2.

• Strongly agree 13 [28.26%]
• Agree 5 [10.87%]
• Somewhat agree 9 [19.57%]
• Neither agree or disagree 2 [4.35%]
• Somewhat disagree 5 [10.87%]
• Disagree 5 [10.87%]
• Strongly disagree 5 [10.87%]
• Unsure/No Answer 2 [4.35%]

I’m more cautious. A friend lived in Seattle for many years until Amazon relocated to South Lake Union (SLU). His Capital Hill neighborhood, up from SLU, changed dramatically in a short period. It became even more expensive. He sold his place to a young college grad just starting at Amazon.

I am curious to see what St. Louis, and all the other cities, will submit to Amazon for consideration.

Further reading:

• Amazon’s HQ2 page
• Amazon’s Request For Proposals
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Amazon probably won’t pick St. Louis, but we can learn from losing
• CNN/Money: 8 cities fit for Amazon’s second headquarters
• Fast Company: Amazon’s Quest For An HQ2 Underscores Seattle Growing Pains
• Fortune commentary: How Cities Can Win the Fight for Amazon’s HQ2
• Wired: DOES AMAZON REALLY NEED A $5 BILLION SECOND HQ? MAYBE.
• Washington Post: What Amazon’s HQ2 plan gets right: Move the jobs to the workers

Cities have until just October 19th to submit proposals, a winner is to be selected next year. Hopefully we’ll see a list a finalists between now and then, they’ll probably be asked to submit additional information and host Amazon executives.

The process, the first of its kind, is fascinating to watch.

— Steve Patterson

‘The Walk’ Two Decades Later

Twenty years ago today a small group of fellow Gen-Xers gathered in a pretty dead downtown St. Louis. Their goal was simple — keep businesses open later than 5pm.  Thursday they’ll meet up again, from the event page:

On Thursday, Sept. 11, 1997 a few fine folks came together and walked to a few bars in downtown St. Louis with the simple premise of trying to keep downtown St. Louis alive after 5, one bar at a time. The Walk, as it quickly came to be known was the staple, weekly event for Metropolis St. Louis for a number of years. Many memories and lasting friendships (and more) were formed. Some even credit Metropolis with kickstarting the revitalization of downtown into what it has become today!

Somehow 20 years have flown by. And we’re here to celebrate that with another Walk.

We will meet and be prepared to leave the starting point of 8th and Pine at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 (read: be ready to head out at 6:30) and walk to three locations — four if you’re adventerous. If you’re driving, you might want to park around the 10th & Olive area.

Since technology has advanced just a wee bit since back in the day, there will be no Walk phone. Join us at 8th & Pine or catch up at one of the following places:

6:45 – Jack Patricks
7:45 – Hair of the Dog
8:45 – Missouri Bar & Grille
9:45 – ….We’ll tell you later, but promise it will be fun!

In the meantime get prepped to hear “WE’RE WALKING!” on Sept. 14.

The City is back. Back the City.

While I participated in The Walk a number of times back in the day, I don’t think I was present on the first. I was not a leader in Metropolis, but did participate at times. I was 30 when the first The Walk took place, I’d bought a 2-family in Dutchtown 3 years earlier, living previously in Murphy-Blair (now recognized as Old North St. Louis). Downtown was nothing really, though I moved here 27+ years ago I have few memories of downtown in the 90s.

The lsat Walk I participated in was in early 2006 in the Ville, see Metropolis’ Walk Heading To The Ville.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Would Razing An Existing Area Be Worthwhile To Get Amazon’s Second Headquarters?

On Thursday Amazon announced it wants to build a second headquarters somewhere in North America:

About 40,000 Amazonians work across 8.1 million square feet of office space in the company’s sprawling Seattle campus, and Amazon is on track to grow that physical footprint by half in the next five years.

The public search for a new headquarters will likely spark a bidding war among states and cities eager for a piece of one of America’s fastest-growing companies.

An eight-page request for proposal Amazon posted online Thursday said incentives offered to offset building and operating costs “will be significant factors in the decision-making process.” (Seattle Times)

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson mentioned it at a speaking engagement that morning:

“We’re all abuzz this morning about Amazon’s announcement,” said St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson.

The mayor was speaking at the Governor’s Economic Development conference in downtown St. Louis on Thursday morning,

Krewson said the city is “putting together a team right now to make a very competitive” proposal.

Cities have until next month to apply through a special website, and the company said it will make a final decision next year. It gave few hints about where it would land, but did say it is looking at metropolitan areas with populations of more than a million that have the potential to attract top technical talent. (Post-Dispatch)

Amazon says the location doesn’t need to be contiguous, but the various sites “should be in proximity to each other to foster a sense of place and be pedestrian-friendly.” A greenfield site site would need to be about 100 acres — the size of the new NGA site.  I don’t know what existing site(s) we have in the St. Louis region that qualify. Today’s poll assumes some demolition would be necessary at some point.

This poll will close at 8pm tonight, results and my thoughts on Wednesday.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen: Board Bill #100-121

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen return from their Summer break today. The last meeting, on July 14th, only had one bill on the agenda published the day before. Turns out three bills were introduced that day. So here’s the two I missed on 7/14/17:

Board Bill No. 100 | Redevelopment plan for 5219 Daggett

BOARD BILL NO. 100 INTRODUCED BY ALDERMAN VOLLMER An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 5219 Daggett Ave. Area (“Area”) after finding that the Area is blighted as defined in Section 99.320 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, 2000, as amended, (the “Statute” being Sections 99.300 to 99.715 inclusive), containing a description of the boundaries of said Area in the City of St. Louis (“City”), attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “A”, finding that redevelopment and rehabilitation of the Area is in the interest of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the people of the City; approving the Plan dated May 25, 2017 for the Area (“Plan”), incorporated herein by attached Exhibit “B”, pursuant to Section 99.430; finding that there is a feasible financial plan for the development of the Area which affords maximum opportunity for development of the Area by private enterprise; finding that no property in the Area may be acquired by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of St. Louis (“LCRA”) through the exercise of eminent domain; finding that the property within the Area is unoccupied, but if it should become occupied the Redeveloper shall be responsible for relocating any eligible occupants displaced as a result of implementation of the Plan; finding that financial aid may be necessary to enable the Area to be redeveloped in accordance with the Plan; finding that there shall be available ten (10) year real estate tax abatement with five (5) years of payments in lieu of taxes or up to five (5) years real estate tax abatement; and pledging cooperation of the Board of Aldermen and requesting various officials, departments, boards and agencies of the City to cooperate and to exercise their respective powers in a manner consistent with the Plan.

Board Bill No. 101 | Redevelopment plan for 3172 Morganford

BOARD BILL NO. 101 INTRODUCED BY ALD. MEGAN GREEN An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 3172 Morgan Ford Rd. (“Area”) after finding that the Area is blighted as defined in Section 99.320 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, 2000, as amended, (the “Statute” being Sections 99.300 to 99.715 inclusive), containing a description of the boundaries of said Area in the City of St. Louis (“City”), attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “A”, finding that redevelopment and rehabilitation of the Area is in the interest of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the people of the City; approving the Plan dated May 25, 2017 for the Area (“Plan”), incorporated herein by attached Exhibit “B”, pursuant to Section 99.430; finding that there is a feasible financial plan for the development of the Area which affords maximum opportunity for development of the Area by private enterprise; finding that no property in the Area may be acquired by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of St. Louis (“LCRA”) through the exercise of eminent domain; finding that the property within the Area is unoccupied, but if it should become occupied the Redeveloper shall be responsible for relocating any eligible occupants displaced as a result of implementation of the Plan; finding that financial aid may be necessary to enable the Area to be redeveloped in accordance with the Plan; finding that there shall be available ten (10) year real estate tax abatement; and pledging cooperation of the Board of Aldermen and requesting various officials, departments, boards and agencies of the City to cooperate and to exercise their respective powers in a manner consistent with the Plan.

ON AGENDA* FOR INTRODUCTION TODAY 9/8/17:

*Note that just because a bill is on the agenda doesn’t mean it’ll be introduced, similarly, bills not on the agenda might be introduced if they suspend the rules to do so. This information is based on the published agenda as of yesterday @ 8am: UPDATED 9/14/17 @10:45AM with links to Board Bills.

• B.B.#102 – Davis –An Ordinance recommended and approved by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the Director of Airports and the Comptroller, owner and operator of St. Louis Lambert International Airport to enter into and execute on behalf of the City the Trans States Holdings, Inc. Airport Office Building Lease Agreement AL?055 between the City and Trans States Holdings, Inc., granting to the Lessee, subject to and in accordance with the terms, covenants, and conditions of the Agreement, certain rights and privileges in connection with the occupancy and use of the Premises, which is defined and more fully described in Section 201 of the Lease Agreement that was approved by the Airport Commission and is attached hereto as ATTACHMENT “1” and made a part hereof, and its terms are more fully described in Section One of this Ordinance; containing a severability clause; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#103 – Kennedy – An Ordinance to change the zoning of property in City Block 2513, from “C” Multiple?Family Dwelling District to the “G” Local Commercial and Office District, at 3866?68 Windsor Place; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#104 – Pres. Reed – An Ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission to change the zoning of property in City Block 1228.18, from “C” Multiple?Family Dwelling and “J” Industrial District to the “J” Industrial District, at 4115 N. Broadway and 815 & 187 Angelica Street; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#105 – Ingrassia – An Ordinance to change the zoning of property in City Block 929 at 2647?49 & 2651?53 Locust, from “J” Industrial District to the “H” Area Commercial District; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#106 – Hubbard/Bosley –An Ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission, to change the zoning of property as indicated on the District Map and in City Blocks 1078, 1079, 1080, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1085, 1092, 1093, 1094, 1095, 2314, 2315, 2316, 2317, 2318, 2319, 2324, 2325, 2326, 2327, 2328, 2329, 2345, 2356 and 2347, from “A” Single?Family Dwelling District, “C” Multiple?Family Dwelling District, “D” Multiple?Family Dwelling District, “F” Neighborhood Commercial District, “G” Local Commercial and Office District and “J” Industrial District to “H” Area Commercial District only, at 2200?50, 2201?49, 2303?37, 2346?50, 2500?48 and 2501?47 Benton, 2201?47, 2301?23, 2401?23 and 2501?29 Cass, 1516?30 and 1800?12 No. Jefferson, 2200?48, 2201?41, 2300?48, 2301?51, 2500?30 and 2501?49 Madison, 2201?33, 2301?39, 2500?30 and 2501?55 Maiden, 2201?49, 2214?46, 2300?48, 2301?43 and 2500?44 Montgomery, 2200?18, 2201?37, 2300?64, 2305?49, 2500?14, and 2507?37 Mullanphy, 2200?48, 2201?51, 2300?48, 2301?49, 2500?54 and 2501?51 North Market, 1505?07, 1827?31 and 2407?11 and 2611?19 No. 22nd St., 1617, 1618, 1804, 1814?24, 2517?25 and 2609? 11 No. 23rd, 1514?20, 1700?02 and 2701 No. 25th St, and 2200?46, 2205?51, 2301?47, 2308?26, 2500?48 and 2501?45 Warren; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#107 – Davis –An Ordinance recommended and approved by the Airport Commission and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment that provides for financial incentives for air service at St. Louis Lambert International Airport; determines and finds that it is in the best interests of The City, the Airport, and the traveling public to encourage service at the Airport by new passenger and cargo airlines and to stimulate service by airlines currently using the Airport by the adoption of programs providing for financial incentives for new airlines or new air service at the Airport; adopts an Air Service Incentive Program, for Fiscal Years 2018 through 2020; containing a severability clause; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#108 – Davis –An Ordinance recommended and approved by the Airport Commission and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, making certain findings with respect to the transfer of One Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars of excess moneys that The City, the owner and operator of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, intends to transfer from the “Airport Development Fund” into the “Airport Contingency Fund” in accordance with Section 509.F of the Airport Amended and Restated Indenture of Trust between the City, as Grantor, and UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee; authorizing transfers in the total amount of One Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars from the Airport Development Fund into the Airport Contingency Fund; further authorizing transfers of funds in the total amount not to exceed One Million Six Hundred Dollars from the Airport Contingency Fund to the Airport Revenue Fund as are required for the purposes of making funds available in part for the estimated costs of the Airport’s Air Service Incentive Program for Fiscal Years 2018 through 2020, which total estimated costs may not exceed Four Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars, and providing for supplemental transfers from the Airport Development Fund to the Airport Contingency Fund and then into the Airport Revenue Fund; containing a severability clause; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#109 – Davis –An Ordinance recommended and approved by the Airport Commission, the Board of Public Service, and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, establishing and authorizing a multi? year public work and improvement program at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, providing for and consisting of capital improvement projects, implementation, administration, management or monitoring of the Airport Projects at a total estimated cost of One Hundred Ten Million Dollars; authorizing an initial appropriation in the total amount of Seventy Nine Million Ten Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Four Dollars as follows: a) Five Million Eight Hundred Eighty Seven Thousand Four Hundred Seventy Dollars from the Airport Development Fund, b) Fifteen Million One Hundred Twenty Two Thousand Nine Hundred Forty Six Dollars from the Passenger Facility Charge Fund, c) Thirty One Million Four Hundred Two Thousand One Hundred Thirty Four Dollars from the Series 2017C Construction Sub?Account, d) Twenty Six Million Five Hundred Ninety Eight Thousand One Hundred Thirty Four Dollars from the Series 2017D Construction Sub?Account, into this Ordinance for the payment of costs for work and services authorized herein and providing for the receipt of supplemental appropriations when authorized by ordinance into this Ordinance as funds become available to continue the Airport Projects; authorizing the Mayor and the Comptroller of the to enter into and execute on behalf of the City easement agreements granting such easements or right?of?ways as may be necessary to the administration or implementation of the Airport Projects; containing a severability and an emergency clause.
• B.B.#110 – Davis –An ordinance recommended and approved by the Airport Commission and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, authorizing and directing the Mayor and the Comptroller, the owner and operator of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, to accept a Supplemental Agreement to Airport Aid Agreement offered by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the marketing and promotion of air service at the Airport for a maximum obligation of Five Hundred Ninety Two Thousand Dollars for the reimbursement of direct costs associated with the projects funded under the Grant Agreement which extends the time period of the Supplemental Agreement for three months, from June 30, 2016 up to and including September 30, 2016; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#111 – Davis –An ordinance recommended and approved by the Airport Commission and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, authorizing and directing the Mayor and the Comptroller, the owner and operator of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, to accept and execute on behalf of the City a certain Airport Aid Agreement offered by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (the “Grant Agreement”) for the marketing and promotion of air service at the Airport for a maximum obligation of Three Hundred Seventy?Five Thousand ($375,000) for the reimbursement of direct costs associated with the projects funded under the Grant Agreement; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#112 – Davis –An Ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the Director of Airports and the Comptroller to enter into and execute on behalf of the City the First Amendment to Wifi and Distributed Antenna System Operating Agreement AL?263 (“First Amendment”) to the St. Louis Lambert International AirportTM Wifi and Distributed Antenna System Operating Agreement AL?263, between the City and Concourse Communications Group, LLC, a Limited Liability Company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and authorized by City Ordinance 69919; containing a severability clause; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#113 – Arnowitz –Pursuant to Ordinance 68937, an ordinance authorizing the honorary street name, S. Sgt. Ron Bozikis, U.S. Army (Green Beret) Street will begin at the intersection of Livingston Drive and Fillmore Street and run northwest on Fillmore Street to Coronado Avenue.
• B.B.#114 – Pres. Reed/Vaccaro –An ordinance adopted pursuant to Section 105.483 (11) RSMo., reaffirming the provisions of Ordinances 62391, 66691, 67617, 68409, 68934, establishing a policy for the disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and substantial interests for certain municipal officials, and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#115 – Williamson –An Ordinance renaming the City park in the 26th Ward known as Parkland Park, the new name of said park to be Frank Williamson Sr. Park, and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#116 – Arnowitz – An Ordinance approving a redevelopment plan for 3830 and 3831 Boulevard Heights Ct.
• B.B.#117 – Green/Ingrassia –An ordinance relating to public safety; imposing, subject to the approval of the voters, a temporary payroll tax at a rate of one half of one percent on the income of each individual employed in the City of St. Louis by a for?profit business organization, whether foreign or domestic, employing fifty or more persons regardless of the location of said persons’ place of employment, and any organization which is recognized as tax? exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, whether foreign or domestic, employing two?hundred and fifty or more persons regardless of the location of said persons’ place of employment, solely for the purpose of providing revenues for the operation of the department of public safety, including police and fire divisions; submitting to the qualified voters of the City a proposal to impose such tax; providing for an election and the manner of voting thereat; providing that if such question shall receive the votes of a majority of the voters voting thereon that such tax shall be authorized and in effect; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#118 – Roddy –An ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to conditionally vacate travel in irregular shaped portion of Chouteau adjacent to 4001?07 Chouteau in City Block 3957 beginning at Sarah and extending eastwardly 152.04′ ± 82.0′ to a point in the City.
• B.B.#119 – Muhammad –An ordinance approving the allocation of $215,000.00 from the City Emergency Management Fund Agency (CEMA) for workforce development and employment to out?of?work residents in the City of St. Louis.
• B.B.#120 – Boyd –An Ordinance requiring public utilities to replace sidewalk squares consistent with the color, texture, and spacing of expansion joints of adjacent sidewalk squares or, if any adjacent sidewalk square is inconsistent as to its color, texture, and spacing of its expansion joints with that of the majority of sidewalk squares on the block, the majority of sidewalk squares on the block.
• B.B.#121 – Green –An Ordinance establishing a four?way stop site at the intersection of Hartford Street and Morgan Ford Road regulating all northbound and southbound traffic traveling on Morgan Ford Road at Hartford Street and regulating all eastbound and westbound traffic traveling on Hartford Street at Morgan Ford Road, and containing an emergency clause.

The meeting begins at 10am, it can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session.

— Steve Patterson

Readers: Arch Grounds Best Venue For Fair St. Louis

After four years in Forest Park, Fair St. Louis will return to the Arch grounds in July 2018. The temporary relocation was due to the reconstruction of the grounds as part of the CityArchRiver project.

More than half of those who voted in the recent non-scientific Sunday Poll think the Arch grounds is the better venue. I agree.

Q: Agree or disagree: Forest Park is a better location than the Arch grounds for Fair St. Louis (aka VP Fair)

• Strongly agree 1 [2.5%]
• Agree 6 [15%]
• Somewhat agree 4 [10%]
• Neither agree or disagree 2 [5%]
• Somewhat disagree 3 [7.5%]
• Disagree 8 [20%]
• Strongly disagree 13 [32.5%]
• Unsure/No Answer 3 [7.5%]

I look forward to having the fireworks back at the riverfront. Will be interesting to see how the new Arch grounds does with such a large event.

— Steve Patterson