The plan to build an Amazon headquarters in New York is over, according to the retailer — but there’s a chance this could be a negotiation tactic.
Amazon has chosen Valentine’s Day to break up with New York.
The massive e-retailer spent much of 2018 searching for the site of its second headquarters. In November, it finally announced plans to split the much-hyped HQ2 between two locations: Queens, NY, and Arlington, Va.
Now, it’s pulling out of the NY deal — but whether the break-up will stick isn’t certain.
On Thursday, Amazon published a blog post detailing its decision to not move forward with the New York headquarters, citing backlash from local lawmakers as the reason.
“For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term,” the company wrote. “While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.
