So many mis truths in this I don't even know where to begin, but I'll do my best.
-the 500,000+ sq. ft. requirement for existing space is to get Amazon an immediate presence and does not need to be part of the long term project. We have that space in 525 William Penn Place, the downtown building BNYMellon abandoned a couple years ago. Also the old Westinghouse campus in Churchill.
-Re brown fields, the ALMONO site is already cleaned up, contrary to your "Blogh".
-Furthermore on the ALMONO site, the requirement for direct access to rail, train, subway/metro, bus routes. is not all inclusive. The requirement was for mass transit, not all forms of mass transit. How hard would it be to route some buses throughout there, and frequently? Not very.
-Space? A lack of space in Pittsburgh?!?! There is an abundant amount of space, and in the urban core no less. The civic arena site may "only" be 28 acres but "3 US Steel towers" could easily be built there. If that is not enough there is all the vacant lots Buncher is sitting on in the Strip, only a few blocks away. If that is still not enough, in the other direction there is the vacant lot on Grant St next to Oxford Center which is prime for a tall skyscraper. What sits between these 3 sites? The Steel Plaza subway station.
-Yes, State incentives will need to be a huge part. But to reference the Volkswagen plant? That was almost 40 years ago!!! But lets not mention the Shell cracker plant just last year in which the State played a huge and pivitol role (Thank you Governor Corbett). If there is a weak link in all of this it is Gov Wolf.
-The notion that Pittsburgh can't fill a 50,000 employee requirement. These 50,000 positions will not happen overnight, but over a 15 year period.
-Finally on the issue of the airport. True, we currently don't have a flight to Seattle. It will happen, its only a matter of time even without Amazon. If Amazon does decide on Pittsburgh then the flights will follow, and soon. If not then a revenue guarantee to the airlines will be part of the incentive package. Furthermore, such a massive corporate relocation will stimulate overall air service demand and PIT has the excess capacity to deliver - unlike airports in many of the competing cities. Any perceived issue about our airport is a nonstarter.
This baby isn't even born yet and already you are talking about nails in coffins. If there is a hinderance to Pittsburgh not landing something like this, it is not the grocery list of factually incorrect statements in your blog, it is the continued attitude of defeatism so prevalent among Pittburghers, and you are exhibit A.
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-the 500,000+ sq. ft. requirement for existing space is to get Amazon an immediate presence and does not need to be part of the long term project. We have that space in 525 William Penn Place, the downtown building BNYMellon abandoned a couple years ago. Also the old Westinghouse campus in Churchill.
-Re brown fields, the ALMONO site is already cleaned up, contrary to your "Blogh".
-Furthermore on the ALMONO site, the requirement for direct access to rail, train, subway/metro, bus routes. is not all inclusive. The requirement was for mass transit, not all forms of mass transit. How hard would it be to route some buses throughout there, and frequently? Not very.
-Space? A lack of space in Pittsburgh?!?! There is an abundant amount of space, and in the urban core no less. The civic arena site may "only" be 28 acres but "3 US Steel towers" could easily be built there. If that is not enough there is all the vacant lots Buncher is sitting on in the Strip, only a few blocks away. If that is still not enough, in the other direction there is the vacant lot on Grant St next to Oxford Center which is prime for a tall skyscraper. What sits between these 3 sites? The Steel Plaza subway station.
-Yes, State incentives will need to be a huge part. But to reference the Volkswagen plant? That was almost 40 years ago!!! But lets not mention the Shell cracker plant just last year in which the State played a huge and pivitol role (Thank you Governor Corbett). If there is a weak link in all of this it is Gov Wolf.
-The notion that Pittsburgh can't fill a 50,000 employee requirement. These 50,000 positions will not happen overnight, but over a 15 year period.
-Finally on the issue of the airport. True, we currently don't have a flight to Seattle. It will happen, its only a matter of time even without Amazon. If Amazon does decide on Pittsburgh then the flights will follow, and soon. If not then a revenue guarantee to the airlines will be part of the incentive package. Furthermore, such a massive corporate relocation will stimulate overall air service demand and PIT has the excess capacity to deliver - unlike airports in many of the competing cities. Any perceived issue about our airport is a nonstarter.
This baby isn't even born yet and already you are talking about nails in coffins. If there is a hinderance to Pittsburgh not landing something like this, it is not the grocery list of factually incorrect statements in your blog, it is the continued attitude of defeatism so prevalent among Pittburghers, and you are exhibit A.