Amazon has axed its plans for a New York City HQ

Amazon has reportedly been planning the institution of 2 new headquarters in the United States, one of which may be located in Arlington, Virginia. The other was to have been set up in New York city's Queens district, more specifically in Long Island CIty. However, it has been announced recently that this part of the plan is no more.

The 'Amazon HQ2' deal has been the source of widespread public opposition since it became public in November 2018. This was due to reports that the city's government was prepared to hand concessions worth as much as US$1.5 billion over to the company in order to get the HQ built in Long Island City. Furthermore, it emerged thereafter that Amazon executives had made its plans with respect to Queens without consulting NYC officials beforehand.

Then again, the project had been estimated to bring investment worth up to US$2.5 billion into the state, as well as 25,000 jobs into the immediate vicinity. However, Queens/Long Island City residents had been worried that these hires would not be extended to locals. In addition, there was some evidence that the new Amazon HQ would intensify the issues and effects of gentrification; the Wall Street Journal had reported that the online retail giant's plans had resulted in the sale of homes in Queens at unusually exorbitant prices and without viewings on the part of the buyer.

However, these concerns are moot, as political pressure has succeeded in driving Amazon to consider other locations such as Nashville, Tennessee to complete its new installation instead.