Amazon HQ2 reported coming to Long Island City: photos, background

Long Island City is home to the headquarters of several other corporations, including JetBlue.Business Insider/Jessica Tyler

• Amazon is reportedly developing its second headquarters, HQ2, in two separate locations: the Long Island City neighborhod of Queens, New York, and the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia, The New York Times reported on Monday evening.
• New York’s pitch of Long Island City to Amazon included boasts about “a creative, mixed-use neighborhood,” more than 13 million square feet of real estate, and speedy commute times.
• We took a walk around Long Island City and saw why it would be appealing to Amazon. 

Amazon will reportedly bring its second headquarters, HQ2, to two separate locations: the Long Island City neighborhod of Queens, New York, and the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia, The New York Times reported  on Monday evening.

The decision follows more than a year of speculation and lobbying by communities around the United States and Canada.

There had been less speculation about New York City than Northern Virginia, but New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently made his desire to host Amazon clear. 

“I’ll change my name to Amazon Cuomo if that’s what it takes,” Cuomo told reporters on Monday. “Because it would be a great economic boost.”

According to NY1, Cuomo reportedly met with Amazon executives in Seattle two weeks ago.

Long Island City’s proposal to Amazon included boasts about “a creative, mixed-use neighborhood,” more than 13 million square feet of real estate, and speedy commute times. 

Here’s what Long Island City is like: