Amazon’s second headquarter decision highlights broader interest in urban, transit

This May 20, 2015, file photo, shows New York's Financial District, foreground, the Brooklyn Bridge and East River, center, and in the distance Brooklyn as seen from the observatory at One World Trade Center. Some of the industries that have defined New York City and the Washington area will face increased competition for talent when Amazon sets up shop in their territory, with plans to hire 50,000 new workers amid the tightest job market in decades. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) This May 20, 2015, file photo, shows New York's Financial District, foreground, the Brooklyn Bridge and East River, center, and in the distance Brooklyn as seen from the observatory at One World Trade Center. Some of the industries that have defined New York City and the Washington area will face increased competition for talent when Amazon sets up shop in their territory, with plans to hire 50,000 new workers amid the tightest job market in decades. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

By Matt Kempner/Cox Newspapers via New York Times News Service November 19, 2018 7 min read

ATLANTA – Amazon hasn’t disclosed why it rejected Atlanta.

But, when choosing where to put its highly sought second headquarters, the tech giant emphasized what it liked about the two locations it eventually decided would share the prize and 50,000 combined jobs.

Beyond the top draw of scads of talented workers, the tech giant cited the urban feel of the spots in New York City and metro Washington, D.C., and their quick access to subways, trains, buses, airports, ferries, bike-sharing and walking.

What it didn’t mention in its official statement: highways.

Actually, that’s not quite true. It pointed out plans to improve the pedestrian experience crossing one.