Group report for Intro to Engineering and Public Policy:
If Amazon’s HQ2 were to come to Pittsburgh, it would bring in an influx of 50,000 new full-time employees and promises $5 billion in investment in the community. Amazon is seeking a headquarters space of over 8 million square feet and Pittsburgh has two prospective locations that fit their requirements: Hazelwood Green and Pittsburgh’s former State Correctional Institution (SCI) (Amazon, 2017). Amazon’s potential HQ2 employees, Pittsburgh city officials, and the current residents of Pittsburgh will all be deeply affected by the advancement of this project. The fact that Amazon recognized Pittsburgh as a lucrative opportunity is indicative of how far the city has come over the past decade in terms of innovation and prosperity. However, there are many factors to consider with regards to Amazon’s interest in Pittsburgh. Along with that, there are many stakeholders involved in this process such as the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Amazon, Hazelwood Green, SCI and the people of Pittsburgh. In addition, it is important to consider what HQ2 will mean to the city of Pittsburgh and its climate goals. This analysis will focus on the effects of moving Amazon HQ2 to Pittsburgh, considering: transportation for 50,000 employees to the site, the configuration of the site’s office space, and Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan.
Read the full report here.