Amazon is planning to open up another headquarters, HQ2 as they are currently calling it, with all the extravagance of the firm’s original campus in Seattle. The company has been considering various cities in North America for the bid.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has said that he and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed are working to get the headquarters situated in Atlanta, and there are plenty of reasons for the people of this city to get behind
the idea.
Tech stands to benefit from the presence of Amazon. As it stands, a large proportion of students, especially those pursuing Computer Science, seek work on the West Coast. By bringing Amazon here, and with it nearly 50,000 jobs, Atlanta will be able to retain many Tech students who have come to call
Atlanta home.
Atlanta, as a city, also has incredible potential to grow. The headquarters are to be built in an “urban location with the potential to attract and retain strong technical talent.” Amazon prefers to locate in a downtown area in the city. Many abandoned and derelict buildings and lots take up space in downtown, and the MARTA is hardly used and barely covers any ground.
However, with most commuting from suburbs and having to drive in their cars, it is clear that Atlanta’s urban planning, infrastructure and transportation are inadequate for a rapidly growing city. Amazon’s investment would not only transform the downtown area; it might put pressure on the City of Atlanta to invest and expand our public transportation network to keep up with growth and demand in the area.
Even if Atlanta is not chosen for HQ2, the rejection may put pressure on the City to invest in improving infrastructure and public transportation to attract any corporations that may wish to open their offices here in the future.
The Consensus Opinion reflects the majority opinion of the Editorial Board of the Technique, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors.