D.C. Proposes Four Sites for Amazon Second Headquarters

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Bowser announced the four locations that will be included in Washington, DC’s response to Amazon’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for its second headquarters, Amazon HQ2: Anacostia Riverfront, Capitol Hill East, Shaw-Howard University, and NoMa-Union Station. The four locations were selected because they can provide the global tech giant with the greatest opportunity to create a world-class headquarters that supports the company’s need for decades of growth.

“These locations present an unparalleled opportunity for Amazon to create interconnected, transit-oriented, and sustainable campuses with access to riverfront and green spaces,” said Mayor Bowser. “Our city’s growing tech scene, talented and diverse workforce, rich culture, and inclusive environment already made Washington, DC an ideal location for Amazon HQ2, and now people can begin to think more specifically about how the tech company will fit into our community.”

Anacostia Riverfront

Riverfront Sports and Entertainment Hub Accessible by Land and Water

The Anacostia Riverfront proposal provides riverfront space along one of Washington, DC’s main waterways. It offers the best of two worlds: a breathtaking river corridor with more than 1,200 acres of parklands integrated into a high-density and transit-oriented community that is accessible by walking, biking, metro, ferry, or even kayak. The location includes Capitol Riverfront, which is five blocks from the United States Capitol, and encompasses the Yards Park and Buzzard Point neighborhoods. Capitol Riverfront is DC’s fastest growing neighborhood with 8,000 residents and a commuting workforce of more than 34,000. Home to Nationals Park and Audi Field, the area is a vibrant entertainment hub. A quick stroll across the soon-to-be-constructed, world-class bridge leads directly into Poplar Point, where consolidated building opportunities await along Anacostia Park.

Anacostia Riverfront provides a space where urban living meets water, people meet parks, and history meets progress.

NoMa-Union Station

East Coast Transportation Axis and Historic Maker Spaces

NoMa-Union Station is among Washington, DC’s most connected neighborhoods. Green and contemporary spaces mingle with boutique retail experiences and a vibrant maker history. An active mixed-use community, NoMa resides between Union Station, the U.S. Capitol, Shaw, H Street, and Bloomingdale. It is one of DC’s fastest growing neighborhoods with more than 100,000 daily pedestrians, 54,000 office workers, and 44,000 residents. Potential HQ2 office space includes Union Market, a former warehouse district that honors its historic culinary origins with Michelin-rated food as well as music, retail, hotel, office, and residential spaces.

The NoMa-Union Station area presents an unparalleled opportunity to create an interconnected, transit-oriented, and sustainably rich campus for Amazon HQ2.

Capitol Hill East

Unified Campus Where Capitol Hill Meets the Anacostia River

Capitol Hill East offers a consolidated site where a riverfront ecosystem connects with the east end of Capitol Hill, a neighborhood well known for hosting many of our nation’s leaders while serving as a permanent home to thousands of Washingtonians. The site’s recently-initiated Phase One development will create 350 apartment units, nearly 40,000 square-feet of retail, and a dedicated town square.

Capitol Hill East would allow Amazon HQ2 to become be an unparalleled riverside campus in an urban enclave, where the originality of place spurs originality of thought.

Shaw-Howard University

Culturally Rich Neighborhood and University Anchor

The Shaw-Howard University proposal is centered around one of the most dynamic DC neighborhoods as well as a world-class university. Situated within the broader U Street, Shaw, and Howard University areas, the development sites are steeped in the music, cultural, and educational history at the heart of DC’s African-American community. The revival of Shaw and U Street has transformed the area into a destination neighborhood for retail, restaurants, and restored theaters, and, today, it is home to a thriving nightlife scene for a young and diverse population. The Howard University sites offer substantial Georgia Avenue frontage and serene areas adjacent to a rowhouse residential neighborhood.

At the center of the Shaw-Howard University neighborhood, Amazon HQ2 will be able to experience a mix of old and new, quaint and eclectic, food and fun.

Amazon HQ2

Amazon HQ2 will employ up to 50,000 workers in up to eight million square feet of office space. Amazon has plans to invest up to $5 billion in construction over the next 10-15 years to create its second headquarters. After selecting a location, Amazon will occupy its first 500,000 to 1 million square feet of office in late 2019.

The deadline to submit the proposal to Amazon is October 19, 2017. In a video released September 14, the Mayor announced Washington, DC’s plan to submit a proposal and highlighted the attractiveness of the city and listing a number of DC’s accolades, including:

• #1 City for Women in Tech, Forbes 2017
• #1 Restaurant City, Bon Appetit 2016
• #1 Coolest City, Forbes 2014
• #1 Best City for Tech, SmartAsset 2016
• #1 for Women’s Employment and Earnings, 2016
• 1^st LEED Platinum City in the World

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in collaboration with the DC Office of Planning analyzed the city to identify potential locations that checks the boxes of Amazon’s RFP.”