AN AMAZON SLAMATHON
City Council and protesters tear into retail giant over HQ deal
Amazon officials got slammed for more than three hours Wednesday at a City Council hearing, first by chanting protesters and then by angry lawmakers who questioned why the giant retailer needed government subsidies to come to New York.
“We got played,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
“Three billion dollars we’re giving away and we’re avoiding the public-review process and giving away public land. They were able to pit city after city against each other.”
A deal hammered out by Mayor de Blasio and Gov. Cuomo lured Amazon to Long Island City, Queens, with $2.8 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies and grants, in exchange for the creation of 25,000 jobs with average salaries of $150,000 over 10 years.
The company plans to build an upto-8-million-square-foot campus on the waterfront, but the terms don’t require the deal to undergo the city’s land-use review process or to hire local public-housing residents.
“I don’t know who I’m more angry at: the administration or Amazon,” said Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-Brooklyn).
Johnson also ripped Amazon’s plan to build a helipad for its executives without any promise to improve public transit, such as the packed-to-the-gills No. 7 train.
“This is like something out of The Onion,” Johnson fumed, referring to the satirical newspaper.
“So yes, [Amazon CEO] Jeff Bezos’ commute is all set. What about the rest of the New Yorkers crammed into the subways every day?”
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D–Queens) tore into Amazon for its pledge to spend a meager $5 million on local workforce development.
“Every time I hear you talk about the $5 million, my blood boils,” he seethed to Amazon Vice President Brian Huseman.
“You are a trillion-dollar operation literally helicoptering in.”
When pressed, Amazon development chief Holly Sullivan wouldn’t commit to hiring a set percentage of public-housing residents, and instead told Van Bramer that she’d “like to
talk to you about this” at a later date.
The proceedings were repeatedly interrupted by protesters who chanted, “G-T-F-O, Amazon has got to go” and unfurled a 15-foot anti-Amazon banner as company executives were preparing to speak.
The outburst prompted a rebuke by Johnson and Committee on Economic Development Chairman Paul Vallone (D– Queens).
At one point, Johnson began shouting at Huseman when the executive evaded questions about whether Amazon representatives would testify at future hearings.
Huseman asked to discuss that issue in private. But Johnson wasn’t budging “I want that conversation right now in front of the public, in front of the press,” Johnson raged.
“You’re getting $3 billion of money, but you won’t agree to come to public hearings? It’s insulting.”
Eventually, a cowed Huseman relented.
Johnson also questioned the loyalty to the Big Apple of James Patchett, who helped negotiate the deal as head of the city’s Economic Development Corp.
“Whose interest are you serv- ing?” the speaker asked him, point-blank.
“Hundred percent, the people of New York City,” a red-faced Patchett replied, squirming and stumbling over his words as members of the public jeered.
“I fundamentally feel this is a good deal for New York City. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here today.”
The closest anyone came to defending Amazon was Councilman Peter Koo (D-Queens), who pointed out that many patronize the retailer despite it’s unpopular plans for the Queens waterfront.
“We hate you, but we also love you. We love you, but we also hate you,” he said.
De Blasio wasn’t at the hearing but didn’t escape unscathed.
Patchett revealed that he met or spoke with the mayor at least 10 times as the administration worked to land Amazon.
“So the mayor cannot meet with many of his own commissioners on everyday city business . . . but he could meet with you 10 times at least in the past year just on Amazon?” said Van Bramer.
Patchett responded that the mayor “frequently” speaks with people over the phone.
“That’s a disgraceful answer,” Van Bramer shot back.