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Thursday is the deadline for cities to submit their bids to become the next home for Amazon's second headquarters.
There's been a frenzy over the past month as cities and developers make their sales pitches to the online shopping giant. Meanwhile, some worry it could be a sour deal.
The Dallas and Fort Worth chambers have been spearheading a regional pitch. Officials say they will have some information about the submission by Friday morning and show a video for the pitch. But it’s still not clear what the exact plan is to get Amazon’s ‘HQ2’ to North Texas.
Development isn't always the flashiest of subjects. But most development isn't Amazon HQ2.
Jon Hetzel is with Madison Partners. The developer is hoping to bring HQ2hq2 to the Exposition Park area nestled between I-30 and Fair Park.
“if we have one good shot to get a good company in the Dallas urban core, Amazon is one of the best options,” he said. “It brings together a lot of the things that Amazon says it wants as well as the city of Dallas goals.”
Since Amazon announced it would take bids for its second headquarters last month, dozens of developers and cities have thrown their names in the hat. The Dallas and Fort Worth chambers have been collecting those bids to come up with a regional pitch.
Over the last few days, bids from all over the country have started to roll in from places like Austin, Philadelphia and Minnesota and North Carolina.
Charlotte's mayor even declared Wednesday as “Prime Day.”
Yet, some cities like San Antonio bowed out last week. They penned a letter to Amazon bringing up concerns over large tax breaks and incentives, saying “blindly giving away the farm isn't our style."
It’s still not known exactly what the DFW regional pitch is even after it's submitted. Even developers like Hetzel don't know if they'll make the final pitch.
“We're hoping we get some earlier indication,” he said. “But there's been no promises or guarantees related to that.”
And whether DFW even makes the cut is still anyone's guess. What is clear is the frenzy over HQ2 has shined the light on not often talked about development.
“It’s highlighting parts and areas of the city that wouldn't be highlighted otherwise,” Hetzel said.
There will be a joint chamber release that goes out to media members mid-Thursday morning. A Dallas chamber official says there won't be any big-to-do or news conferences. There's also no exact date on when Amazon will make its pick.