Delayed Amazon Delivery: HQ2

You know how annoying it is when your Amazon package isn’t delivered on time? Imagine how pissed-off officials in Northern Virginia must be now that Amazon says it will be late in building its big HQ2 development. While the landmark Helix, a 350 foot tower resembling the Poop Emoji with an outdoor spiral of landscaped trees will be built as scheduled, other buildings on the sprawling development are on hold. So much for the vaunted local economic benefits the retail giant promised in return for big tax incentives.

You may recall that saner jurisdictions rejected the HQ2 project. Northern Virginia neighborhoods under the retail behemoth’s footprint are so embarrassed they’re changing their names.

More:

“Amazon says it is pausing construction at HQ2 in Arlington,” Teo Armus and Rachel Lerman, Washington Post

“Amazon pauses construction of 2nd headquarters in Virginia, dubbed ‘HQ2’,” Max Zahn, ABC News

“The Lie Behind Amazon’s HQ2 Sweepstakes Becomes Clear,” Davi Dayen, American Prospect

“Amazon suspends Virginia HQ2 construction in latest cost-cutting move,” Emma Roth, The Verge

Update:

“As Amazon’s HQ2 Stalls, Incentives Have, Too,” Sarah Holder and Linda Poon, Bloomberg CityLab

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Image (“Amazon HQ2 Helix Concept, after Jan Luyken and Willem Goeree, 1682″) by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Amazon HQ2 Helix Looms Over Virginia

After saner jurisdictions rejected the project, Amazon selected Northern Virginia for the site of its HQ2 development. Some neighborhoods under the retail behemoth’s footprint will change their names to protect the innocent.

The flagship of this tax-break-enabled building bonanza will be The Helix, a 350 foot tower resembling the Poop Emoji, with an outdoor spiral of landscaped trees available to hikers who relish a pointless trek to nowhere, very Zen. Suggested seasonal uses of the Helix’s outdoor path include a water slide and ski run, or perhaps it will follow the lead of the 150-foot tall Vessel scultpture at New York’s Hudson Yards and become a world-class suicide swan-dive magnet.

The best views of the giant tower will probably be across the Potomac in DC, where residents can shudder and draw the drapes.

More:

“Amazon’s next headquarters is a glass poop emoji covered in trees,” Jacob Kastrenakes,The Verge

“Soft Serve Cone Or Christmas Tree? Amazon HQ2 Helix Sparks Debate,” Michael O’Connell, Arlington Patch

“The Helix is a distraction. Amazon’s new headquarters will change more than just its Arlington neighborhood.,” Philip Kennicott, Washington Post

Update:

“Amazon’s ‘The Helix’ is too tall for airport standards, officials say,” Kristen Schneider, WJLA-TV 7

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Image (“Amazon HQ2 Helix Concept, after Jan Luyken and Willem Goeree, 1682″) by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Bike DC May 13th

You’ve already missed Bike To School Day, so remember that this Sunday is Bike DC Day, fun for the whole family. It’s also Mother’s Day, so bring her along. Registration fee benefits Washington Area Bicycle Association. No bike? No problem, rent one (kids’ bikes, too).

The Washington and Arlington Community Bike Ride
Sunday May 13, 2012

Register online or in person

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Image (“Bike DC, After Abel Brunyer”) by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Kids and Dog Parks

Virginia’s Arlington County may ban children under the age of eight from its dog parks.

While it is true that young children might damage valuable canines, perhaps there is room for compromise. We suggest allowing children in dog parks if they weigh under 80 pounds and are well-supervised, adequately socialized, and on leashes.

Related: Rules and Regulations for Arlington’s Community Canine Areas (CCA).

Image (“Two Bloggers, after Norman Rockwell”) by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Bikeshare Begins

Capital Bikeshare began rolling out its fleet of red rental bicycles Monday in Washington DC and Arlington Virginia. By late October 1,100 cycles will be available at 114 bike stations across DC and Arlington (see the full map here). The annual membership rate is $50 (reduced from $75) and rides 30 minutes or less are free (see the rates here).

While the program is aimed at serving daily commuters, there are daily rates for tourists.  

The $4 million project, chiefly funded through federal grants, takes advantage of DC’s new bike lanes and bike signals and connects with Metro stations and Circulator bus routes. Alta Bicycle Share operates the system.