Worcester proposes Route 20 sites for Amazon’s coveted HQ2

Oct. 18--WORCESTER -- The city is proposing nearly 100 acres along Route 20 as the potential site where Amazon should build its second headquarters, dubbed HQ2.

As part of a proposal sent Tuesday to the online giant, the city said it is also prepared to offer Amazon a number of incentives to come to Worcester, including up to $500 million in local real estate tax savings, a 100-percent personal property tax exemption over 20 years, an investment tax credit through the state, and research and development tax credits.

Other incentives offered include $1 million in job creation grant funds; District Improvement Financing funding; Massworks Infrastructure Program funding; Workforce Central Career Center Business Services; and a quick and streamlined permitting approval process.

The city's proposal, prepared in conjunction with the Worcester Economic Development Coordinating Council and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, includes a glossy 60-page booklet that offers information about Worcester, as well as letters of support from U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, members of the local legislative delegation, local business leaders and area higher education officials.

It also included a video highlighting Worcester. (Story continues below the video.)

In a joint letter that accompanied the city's proposal, City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. and Mayor Joseph M. Petty said Worcester is the right place for Amazon, given its central location and 8.5 million people living within a 60-mile radius of the city, with a skilled workforce educated by more than 135 colleges and institutes located with an hour's drive and a strong infrastructure with easy access to major interstate highways.

They also cited commuter rail to Boston and access to major airports, including Worcester Regional Airport, Logan International Airport, T.F. Green Airport and Bradley International Airport.

"This combination of assets provides unique opportunities for dynamic business growth," Mr. Augustus and Mr. Petty wrote in their letter.

The proposed Route 20 site for Amazon consists of 16 properties, totaling 98 acres.

Two major parcels -- 22.2 acres on the north side of Route 20 and 53.9 acres on the south side abut the MBTA commuter rail line along their west sides. Mr. Augustus said a rail spur could be built right to the property,

Another 21.9-acre parcel has been identified further west along Route 20, toward the Auburn line.

The addresses of the properties included in the proposal are 5-67 Southwest Cutoff, 50 Southwest Cutoff, 64 Southwest Cutoff and 115-131 Southwest Cutoff, according to Paul D. Morano Jr., director of the Business and Community Development Division of the city's Office of Economic Development.

He said all of the properties are privately owned and all of the owners were notified by the city that their properties were being included as part of the city's proposal to Amazon.

"These sites have excellent highway access, enormous development potential and proximity to the MBTA commuter rail line," Mr. Augustus said.

The city's proposal also identified potential additional sites in Auburn along Route 20 and Route 12 corridors.

Thursday is the deadline for communities to respond to Amazon's solicitation for its second headquarters.

In addition to the proposal Worcester has made, Mr. Augustus said the city will also be part of an application made by the state.

As part of that application, Mr. Augustus said the city has identified five potential downtown locations, primarily near the Union Station area.

Amazon has said it is looking to make a $5 billion investment in its HQ2.

Minimum site requirements set by Amazon call for a metropolitan area with more than 1 million people; an international airport within about 45 minutes; a major highway within two miles; and direct access to commuter rail and bus routes.

Minimum building requirements include 500,000 square feet of office space by 2019 and up to 8 million square feet of office space by 2027.

If a state or municipality does not have the required square footage readily available, Amazon has said it will consider a greenfield site of about 100 acres with utility infrastructure in place.

Timothy P. Murray, president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, said Worcester is second to none when it comes to innovation and intellectual fire power.

He said a good pitch by the city could end up catching the attention of others if it should not win the Amazon sweepstakes.

"Some people might think this is pie in the sky, but Worcester can match up with any of them," he said in reference to potential competitors. "This application is going to be closely scrutinized by others beside Amazon so this is a good opportunity for us to tell Worcester's story."

Mr. Augustus, meanwhile, called the city's proposal "a worthwhile exercise" whether it is successful in attracting Amazon to Worcester or not.

District 3 Councilor George J. Russell expressed some disappointed, however, that neither he nor people living in his district were consulted ahead of time about the city's application.

He pointed out that one of the property owners is a relative of his, and he wanted to make it clear that he had nothing to do with the application

"I'm disappointed, quite frankly, especially since this is in the heart of District 3," Mr. Russell said. "I was not consulted on any impacts there might be to this area and I'm disappointed very much that folks at least weren't talked to about this."

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