De Blasio Says Amazon 'Just Plain Walked Away' From NYC, Residents Still Divided On Failed Deal
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Reaction to Amazon's decision to pull the plug on a second headquarters in Long Island City, Queens has become just as divisive as the agreement itself.
"It's over, and it's astounding, and it's disappointing and it's disrespectful to the people of New York City," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in an interview Friday morning.
Web Extras: Read Amazon's Statement | Read Gov. Cuomo's Response
For the mayor and governor, who were key in brokering the agreement, it's a major loss.
"In the final analysis, we said to Amazon, 'we will make sure that we hold up - as the city of New York, state of New York - our end of the bargain, but you have to do things for this city and this state, too.' It was a very fair deal, and they just plain walked away," de Blasio said Friday. "There was no attempt at dialogue. I've never experienced anything like it."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo placed the blame on state lawmakers Thursday, saying in a statement, "The New York State Senate has done tremendous damage. They should be held accountable."
Watch: Queens Lawmakers React To News Amazon Deal Is Dead
The deal, which included about $3 billion in government incentives for Amazon, was supposed to bring 25,000 jobs with it. Now that it's a no-go, some Long Island City residents say it's a huge missed opportunity.
"We were hoping the train service was going to be better, hoping there would be more places to eat, but now obviously not," Long island City resident Linda Carruve said.
"It happened so suddenly yes... and this whole area would've been put on the map."
Watch: Expert Calls Amazon's Reversal 'An Enormous Surprise'
Some lawmakers said the tech giant was getting far too much in subsidies and argued the second headquarters would further drive up the cost of living and overrun mass transit. They consider Amazon backing out to be a victory.
"I hope it sends the signal that if we're coming here, we're coming for the talent pool, we're coming here because New York is value added, and we're coming here because we want to, not because we're getting paid to be here," State Sen. Michael Gianaris said Friday.
From business owners to young professionals, many of the people CBS2's Jessica Moore spoke with here in the area were disappointed, but others also admitted that if Amazon would've moved in they would've been forced to move out by rising prices.
"I'm pretty sure I'd have to move out in a year or two," resident Layna Chen said.
"I just know that rents will go up in the area," Jason Davis added.
"So you're fine with the fact they pulled out?" Jessica Moore asked. "Yea, oh yea," Davis replied.
