urbanSTL

Not what I was expecting, but I'm glad we threw our hat in the ring.

Chalupas54 wrote: ↑

Oct 19, 2017

San Luis Native wrote:So.... Just playing devil's advocate here, I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts on the chances of Amazon2STL being a negative if it were to happen? Basically the city over extending itself or similar unintended consequences of past urban renewal or silver bullet projects?

I think this is a really good point. I think it could cause extreme gentrification in some areas. Might also cause an uptick in cost of living.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would love to see an uptick in cost of living - especially downtown.

Bloomberg reporting on their top10 choices for HQ2. Detroit is there, St Louis is not:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... ion-begins

I haven't yet seen any national media outlet/opinion article listing St Louis as one of the top contenders (except for those that are written by St Louis natives like the TechCrunch one).

San Luis Native wrote: ↑

Oct 19, 2017

So.... Just playing devil's advocate here, I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts on the chances of Amazon2STL being a negative if it were to happen? Basically the city over extending itself or similar unintended consequences of past urban renewal or silver bullet projects?

Some of the growing pains Seattle has been going through, via the AP:

http://www.stltoday.com/business/site-o ... f05f2.html

* I will take my teenage growing pains over my middle age eye sight and hearing loss any time.

I kinda of buy into this argument from Gov G's staff. Don't pick sides between KC and St Louis but promote an innovative idea that connects the two metro areas

The tube at a minimum has a shot to revolutionize freight transportation even if it never moves people. It would move a lot packages, a lot quicker and with a lot less people and cost once it is capitalized then trucks and or planes. Another way to look at it, St. Louis missed out when Chicago embraced the railroad. Maybe this time it can make a leap past everyone else.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt ... op-story-1

San Luis Native wrote: ↑

Oct 19, 2017

My dream scenario for urban STL (the city and parts of the county) is that it pulls itself up by its own bootstraps. It doesn't rely on outside change agents for success but increases in its own organic beauty until it is undeniably a highly desirable place to be.

Now, I'm no expert on how these things work. And my dream scenario may be a pipe dream. Maybe the answer is indeed "transplants".

there's just no way for this to happen without an increase in population AND average household income. the city just has more infrastructure than it has people to occupy it and tax dollars to maintain it. and all this requires more high-paying jobs. i think it's unlikely that the region will generate enough new high-paying jobs on its own, and if it did it would take decades.

The hyperloop bit infuriates me. The state refuses to cover its current infrastructure liabilities so dangling hyperloop rings hollow and unserious.

Trololzilla wrote: ↑

Oct 20, 2017

I wonder if the unified Missouri proposal advocates something like making KC a big logistics cog for Amazon while putting the actual 'HQ' in St. Louis, since most of what I've heard on this forum in particular indicates that KC is better for logistics than is STL. Seems like it could be a win-win for both cities. Thoughts?

That wouldn't sit well with KC as St.Louis being the HQ and besides i think St.Louis is a decent sized logistic hub with way more room to grow than KC.
St.Louis has a lot of room for growth with or without Amazon
I personally don't think St.Louis needs amazon to be validated despite always being overlooked in major rankings for qualifications we already have the foundations to meet those requirements.
What St.Louis needs to focus on more importantly is its quality of life such as crime race relations city county fragmentation.
Those are eye opening deterrents however i don't think those are warrants for St.Louis to be overlooked by any means.

Besides i don't think Amazon really has a select city of choice everything is by thought and logic common sense.
Its funny how the media is trying to play a role in this whole process by Amazon dictating on which city is the best fit.
Trendy cities don't always get what they want and just because they've had success doesn't mean it'll continue to repeat itself.
Again St.Louis is a dark horse in my book

This Is What Really Happens When Amazon Comes to Your Town

Trust me, I saw my city transform—and not always for the better.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/ ... tle-215725

St. Louis and Kansas City submitted separate individual bids. The state of MO submitted a third bid. St. Louis or Kansas City could be selected individually.

What's been made public isn't impressive but keep in mind that much of the bid hasn't been made public. I wonder if we'll ever see the full pitch.

Anyone see Pittsburg vid? Very well done.

moorlander wrote:St. Louis and Kansas City submitted separate individual bids. The state of MO submitted a third bid. St. Louis or Kansas City could be selected individually.

What's been made public isn't impressive but keep in mind that much of the bid hasn't been made public. I wonder if we'll ever see the full pitch.

Considering the fact that they are keeping pretty much the whole STL bid under lock and key, I think it’s something big. The “we have a very good reason to keep it locked down” seems extremely telling to me. Considering all the corporations that were involved doing pro-bono work, I would expect it to be spectacular. I feel safe to know that Sheila Sweeney would definitely not submit something half ass or silly. I have heard that people like Jon Hamm, Andy Cohen, Karlie Kloss may have given voiceovers or given credence to the pitch..it would have been incredible if Jack Dorsey came in and endorsed STL.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

An announcement from Hyperloop Global Head of Policy...
"Missouri now is among the company’s top five options, if not among the top three."

The announcement from the state yesterday was pretty ridiculous. BUT if a group associated with Elon Musk is recognizing Missouri's ability to put a "dreamer" proposal together, Amazon may appreciate the innovation and uniqueness.

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-wor ... eed-track/

Interesting. Why do you think this is?


Most Twitter mentions related to Amazon's HQ2? It's St. Louis

St. Louis has received more than 1,300 Twitter mentions related to Amazon’s HQ2 project, making the city the most talked about “contender” for the $5 billion project, according to a report from Reuters.

The report, which sourced social media monitoring company Brandwatch, said Boston and Chicago were the next two most-talked-about cities.
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... j=79028231

urban_dilettante wrote: ↑

Oct 19, 2017

San Luis Native wrote: ↑

Oct 19, 2017

My dream scenario for urban STL (the city and parts of the county) is that it pulls itself up by its own bootstraps. It doesn't rely on outside change agents for success but increases in its own organic beauty until it is undeniably a highly desirable place to be.

Now, I'm no expert on how these things work. And my dream scenario may be a pipe dream. Maybe the answer is indeed "transplants".

there's just no way for this to happen without an increase in population AND average household income. the city just has more infrastructure than it has people to occupy it and tax dollars to maintain it. and all this requires more high-paying jobs. i think it's unlikely that the region will generate enough new high-paying jobs on its own, and if it did it would take decades.

So, no chance say 20% of the ~2.25 million (and/or their progeny) that live east of Hanley, north/south of the city and in the Metro East could have a change of heart and move back in over the next 20 years? Guess that is a pretty big ask. But I can have dreams, right?

Here is the link to the State of Missouri pitch .pdf.

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnew ... 64.pdf.pdf

They used the old Busch Stadium instead of the new one. And the stands are pretty empty. Didn't anyone from Missouri proofread this? Such as Greitens who used to live in the city? Maybe the creators of this will actually try visiting St. Louis someday.

Also, one of the skyline photos has a reflection added at the bottom that makes it look as if the Arch is standing in water

It would have been nice if they could have included one photo or artwork depicting the new Arch grounds and museum, such as the Blues concerts on the North end. Also, they mention Boeing and show a 747 to represent the airport, but it would have been nice to show an F-15 Eagle or F-18 Super Hornet which we build in St. Louis. No mention of CORTEX.

But they did make sure they mentioned KC and St. Louis exactly the same number of times. And we got 7 photos of the Governor.

debaliviere wrote: ↑

Oct 17, 2017

stlgasm wrote: ↑

Oct 17, 2017

RuskiSTL wrote: ↑

Oct 16, 2017

I've seen the Explore St. Louis video from last year circulating around social media lately to help rev up the #Amazon2STL

I saw a rough cut of the bid video. Narration by Jon Hamm. Lots of great shots of STL and architecture. I would give it a 6 or 7. Lots of shots of FoodRoof, Urban Chestnut, a couple others. Exactly what'd you expect out of a video like this, about 70% generic shots. Thought it did ok to show off a decent bit of architecture, focused on the river and being in the middle of the country.

Thanks for the update. So does the pitch video have a creative spin, or a theme? Or is it just the typical "We're affordable!" "We have the best fans in baseball!" "We're #3 in livability according to Business Insider!" ?

We have a free zoo.

It's not that bad, sticks to the artistic side. But I think it's overkill. Comes off as pretentious, even though it's one of those we're a city built on grit type of ads. Basically says a lot with any real message. Again, very nice shots and powerful voiceover/script from Hamm. But nothing that made it stand out to me. Too much like the Chrysler Detroit commercials.

I did hear they only had like 4 days to shoot the thing.

Maybe I'm being too critical but I was hoping for something a little more innovative.

Why Don't We Build Amazon a damn Stargate While We're at It
https://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblo ... were-at-it

RuskiSTL wrote: ↑

Oct 21, 2017

debaliviere wrote: ↑

Oct 17, 2017

stlgasm wrote: ↑

Oct 17, 2017

Thanks for the update. So does the pitch video have a creative spin, or a theme? Or is it just the typical "We're affordable!" "We have the best fans in baseball!" "We're #3 in livability according to Business Insider!" ?

We have a free zoo.

It's not that bad, sticks to the artistic side. But I think it's overkill. Comes off as pretentious, even though it's one of those we're a city built on grit type of ads. Basically says a lot with any real message. Again, very nice shots and powerful voiceover/script from Hamm. But nothing that made it stand out to me. Too much like the Chrysler Detroit commercials.

I did hear they only had like 4 days to shoot the thing.

Maybe I'm being too critical but I was hoping for something a little more innovative.

Can you say the production company who shot it?

North American cities have debased themselves in the Amazon HQ2 reality show. The worst is yet to come.

https://slate.com/business/2017/10/the- ... ities.html

With Amazon's expressed interest in prescription delivery and Anthem announcing they'll be bringing their business in house, (ES losing it's biggest customer) would there be opportunity for a joint partnership?

Cities chasing Amazon's headquarters should be careful what they wish for
https://www.treehugger.com/corporate-re ... amond.html