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Encouraging Amazon to choose the City of Philadelphia as the future home of HQ2.
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WHEREAS On Thursday, September 7, 2017, Amazon announced that it is seeking to open a second company headquarters in North America (“Amazon HQ2”), and will conduct a comprehensive search to decide on the location; and
WHEREAS, The HQ2 campus will require up to 8 million square feet of new space, may entail more than $5 billion to build, and employ up to 50,000 new full-time employees in the years following commencement of operations; and
WHEREAS, Amazon issued a Request for Proposals for HQ2 highlighting specific requirements for an ideal site, including a metropolitan area of at least 1 million people; greenfield or infill space available to meet Amazon’s space needs in multiple phases; access to mass transit on site; close proximity to a major international airport; and a location able to attract and retain strong technical talent; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s commercial and non-commercial real estate is more affordable than other cities in the U.S. comparable in size and density, and its cost of living is 20 percent less than other major metropolitan areas; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has the fastest millennial growth rate of any of the nation’s 10 largest cities with nearly 40 percent of 25-34 year olds holding a bachelor's degrees or higher, compared with the national average of 33 percent; and
WHEREAS, With 102 colleges and universities, the Greater Philadelphia region offers a diverse pool of highly-skilled, experienced experts, and young professionals, with 90,000 graduates each year; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is an international gateway, perfectly situated for business operations along the northeast corridor between Washington D.C. and New York, and with 40 percent of the United States population within 2 hours; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has a booming, diverse, and highly engaged startup ecosystem with over 65 incubators and coworking spaces and with growth in ed-tech, biotech, smart cities, fin-tech, including companies such as BioBots, Roar for Good, Revzilla, and Curalate; and
WHEREAS, With a strong public transit system, Philadelphia has one of the shortest commute times of large east coast communities; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia International Airport is a major hub for American Airlines, and offers direct flights to Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C. and scores of other cities around the world; Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station is Amtrak’s third-busiest commuter station in the country, we have service from two Class I freight railroads, as well as robust regional mass transit passenger services from SEPTA and PATCO; our highway infrastructure, including I-95, PA and NJ Turnpikes, I-76, Route 202 and more, provides great access for commuters and commercial distribution; and our Philadelphia Port is in the midst of implementing a massive growth plan, enhancing its current active import/export service; and
WHEREAS, Greater Philadelphia is home to the corporate headquarters of Comcast, Aramark, Urban Outfitters, Independence Blue Cross, FMC, Vanguard, SAP and AmerisourceBergen; and
WHEREAS, The members of Philadelphia City Council, working alongside the Kenney Administration, have shown leadership in improving government responsibility to Philadelphia’s business community through the creation of the Special Committee on Regulatory Reform whose sole purpose is to work with local businesses to streamline, update, and modernize the city's business regulations; and
WHEREAS, Amazon is interested in investing in an area that is ripe for development, but also has existing buildings of at least 500,000 square feet or a green site of approximately 100 acres; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has a selection of parcels, both greenfield and infill, that would meet the criteria established by Amazon; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is a world-class city and the cradle of American democracy that has received national recognition for its diversity, affordability and quality of life, with must-see amenities including the art scene, restaurants, walkability, bike-friendly streets, outdoor recreation and public and green spaces; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has a longstanding commitment to issues of sustainability and the environment, outlined in Greenworks: A Vision for a Sustainable Philadelphia. The plan identifies ambitious goals on the topics of food and water, air, energy, climate, natural resources, transportation, waste, and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is also known for its rich history, vibrancy, affordability, job opportunities, diversity, culture, and nightlife; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia makes a perfect destination for Amazon’s HQ2. Philadelphia has everything that Amazon might need to sustain, and expand its growth and success; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia stands ready to support and display all the City has to offer to Amazon, and looks forward to the possibilities that a long and prosperous relationship between Philadelphia and Amazon can offer; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Urges Amazon to choose Philadelphia as the future home of HQ2 and stands ready to work with Amazon to ensure success for both their business and the people of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Jeff Bezos, Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of Amazon as a sincere representation of the sentiments of this legislative body.
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