The site is set, the deal in place. Despite Amazon canceling its New York headquarters, the online retailer is bound for Nashville.
Community leaders met in East Nashville Friday night, discussing what the new Operations Center of Excellence might mean for the city.
In attendance, Seattle Council Member Teresa Mosqueda, who’s seen the effects Amazon can have firsthand.
“My message to other cities considering having Amazon move in, is make sure you get protections in place now,” said Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle Council Member.
Mosqueda spoke to the crowd on growth, and growing pains, in a city that’s the current home to Amazon’s headquarters.
“Rapid growth, without the additional housing, without the funding for investments infrastructure, along with low-income housing, middle-income housing,” she noted. “We’ve seen displacement.”
Lack of affordable housing and proper traffic infrastructure are issues already top of mind in Nashville.
Council Member Brett Withers attended Friday’s meeting, explaining to News 2 he’s excited for what Amazon might bring but eager to hear from citizens.
“Want to learn what concerns they have,” he said. “But also keep the door open to do better in Nashville, than they did in Seattle in some ways. Try to find solutions.”
Seattle is currently ranked six worst in the US, on the Inrix Traffic Scorecard.
The Seattle metro area is ranked seventh highest in median home prices, according to a study by Kiplinger.
Mosqueda says, without the proper deals in place, it can be a slippery slope.
“Get that money in hand now,” she said. “Invest in housing, change your zoning laws, and protect those workers.”
