Lynn, MA HQ2 Proposal
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CITY OF LYNN MASSACHUSETTS AMAZON HQ2 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction II. Site Overview III. Incentives IV. Labor & Wage Information V. Education VI. Sustainability VII. Proximity/Transportation VIII. Quality of Life IX. Intangibles 3 4 5 I . INTRODUCTION The ideal location for Amazon is s o m e o f t h e w o r l d ’ s b e s t h o s p i t a l s , a 100-acre shovel-ready waterfront universities, museums and private site 10 miles from Downtown and public schools. To the east, Boston. With breathtaking ocean north and south are some of this views, quick proximity to one of country’s best and most storied the nation’s premier international beaches; to the west and north, airports, on-site commuter rail skiing, hiking and lakes within easy and commuter ferry service, the reach in New Hampshire and Maine. Lynn Waterfront Parcel is also only Lynn itself offers affordable housing 12 miles from the Massachusetts stock ranging from refurbished Institute of Technology and triple deckers to new waterfront Massachusetts General Hospital, and condominiums to older homes on within easy reach of North Shore urban streets. Adjacent are suburbs beaches, wooded reservations and that range from high-end waterfront ample housing stock ranging from communities like Marblehead to historic farm homes to inner-city affordable middle class towns like condominiums, brownstones and Swampscott and Lynnfield. Historic multi-family units. Gloucester, Salem and Manchester- by-the-Sea are easy commutes on Lynn, population 93,000, is an major highways. Downtown Boston historic blue-collar city in the core is a direct commuter rail or ferry ride of Greater Boston, population 4.7 away. million, within easy highway, boat, 7 train and even bicycle reach of The waterfront parcel includes higher education opportunity. the former home of General Several of the best hospitals in the Electric and continues to host world – Massachusetts General some manufacturing and back Hospital, Beth Israel, Lahey Hospital office operations. Combined with – are within 14 miles, and a hospital the other parcels available for operated by Mass General is in the headquarters, it provides for Downtown Lynn. Boston’s world- a contiguous waterfront site with class museums and art galleries zoning allowing construction up to are within easy reach, and so is the 20 stories and remarkable views of internationally known Peabody Essex the Boston skyline. Museum, six miles to the north. This is one of the most desirable Massachusetts has made it very regions in America. In virtually clear over the course of the last every ranking, Massachusetts public year that it will continue to welcome schools are the best in the country. and respect immigrants who have Harvard, MIT, Boston University and traditionally come to study, work Boston College – among dozens and succeed in our state. Our of Greater Boston colleges and governor, legislature, congressional universities – provide some of delegation, universities, hospitals, the best educations, research and business associations and tourist graduates in the world. Neighboring organizations have over the course Salem State University and, in walking of the last year made every effort distance, North Shore Community to signal to immigrants from all College, provide opportunities for countries that – as always – they will corporate partnerships, internships find Massachusetts a place where and work study, along with affordable they can thrive. Historic Lynn 8 Red Rock Park, Lynn MA 9 View of the Boston Skyline from the Lynn site II. SITE SPECIFICS The Lynn Waterfront has undergone a comprehensive master planning process that highlights the suitability of this parcel for Amazon. Some of the key findings from that analysis highlight the potential for Amazon, including: • The waterfront property is an • Because the land is located exceptional site made up of strategically on the Lynn Harbor contiguous parcels of land that are and is accessible by the regional severely underutilized, highway network and the commuter rail from Boston, it is • Land of this magnitude in a a very valuable piece of land with strategic location along a beautiful great potential. waterfront is rare, particularly when it is located within 10 miles • The site’s proximity to a major of downtown Boston. urban area, such as Boston, provides a very attractive setting for living, working and playing. Site Specifics The site includes 11 parcels with four property owners that together comprise over 100 acres of waterfront property. The parcel owners have already agreed to come together as one team – an example of the business friendly climate in Lynn. The owners, City of Lynn and the state are committed to working with Amazon to ensure that the site can be developed quickly. The site offers several advantages in that the zoning is already approved for a 20-story structure and expedited permits are possible. Utilities The proposed site was formerly utilized for heavy industrial purpose and does have ample capacity in terms of electrical power supply, water, natural gas and other utility services. Because most of the service lines are older, they will need to be upgraded as part of the project plan. The City of Lynn is committed to working with the state, Amazon and all relevant utility providers on these upgrades. 11 12 Parcel #1 Parcel #2 13 Parcel #3 Parcel #4 14 Parcel #5 Parcel #6 15 Parcel #7 Parcel #8 16 Parcel #9 Parcel #10 17 III. INCENTIVES Lynn is uniquely situated to be in Massachusetts. We can offer a 20- the beneficiary of state and local year Tax increment financing (TIF) incentives for transformative capital package that could result in as much projects such as Amazon HQ2, and as $500 million in savings. the state of Massachusetts has a proven record of generous tax MassDevelopment, a quasi- incentives meant to attract and public agency overseeing economic keep the right kind of industries and growth in Massachusetts, oversees employees. a series of potential tax rebates, breaks and refunds, and also low- Lynn is a Massachusetts Gateway or no-interest loans, for businesses City, a designation that provides locating and expanding in Gateway developers a wide range of creative Cities like Lynn. MassDevelopment’s and useful incentive programs and Transformative Development Fund access to a variety of funds aimed is aimed to foster “redevelopment at fueling business growth and jobs on a scale and character capable in the state’s former manufacturing of catalyzing significant follow-on centers. Because of its designation private investment, leading over as a Gateway City, Lynn is in the time to transformation of an entire unique position of being able to offer downtown or urban neighborhood, Amazon incentives that will be as and consistent with local plans.” 19 good or better than any community In addition to the Gateway development opportunities, one of designation, in 2015, Lynn was which established an MOU with the designated with the distinction as a MBTA to open the current Commuter LEAD target city. The Lynn Economic Rail station adjacent to the proposed Advancement and Development Team HQ2 site to be fully built out with (LEAD), created by Massachusetts new platforms, signals and signage. Governor Charlie Baker, established a cross-governmental working group Additional programmatic funds to encourage economic development committed to Lynn via this working and community revitalization within group also includes $8.3 million in the City of Lynn. plan development and capital for enhancement of the Waterfront The group is comprised of federal, Zone to include open space, parks state and local officials to streamline and recreational offerings. This permitting, create initiatives to Waterfront Zone is the same area of attract, spur and retain development the proposed Amazon HQ2 property. around priority economic development sites, of which the All this has been accomplished proposed Lynn Amazon HQ2 site is in less than 24 months since the front and center. inception of the LEAD effort. The participants meet bi-weekly ensuring This LEAD initiative has led to a cross-jurisdictional working group the establishment of funds for focused solely on the re-development market rate housing, brownfields of Lynn. redevelopment and transit-oriented View of site 20 This is a unique time and training. opportunity for developers to Federal Hiring Tax Credits work with MassDevelopment and The Work Opportunity Tax Credit the Lynn LEAD team, experiencing program offers tax reductions to all levels of government working businesses hiring people from in unison for the common goal. certain target groups. These groups come to the table without the red tape and time State Job Creation & Building constraints of moving a project Investment Tax Credits through the typical process. Rather The Economic Development they are unencumbered and have Incentive Program gives tax incentives to businesses that create streamlined permitting, approvals jobs and foster business growth. and incentive programs. This is an incredible benefit to compliment Life Sciences Tax Incentive the ever present benefits of living Program and working in Massachusetts, and Awarding up to $25 million in establishing a world class HQ2 in the tax incentives each year, the Mass City of Lynn along its picturesque Life Sciences Center provides ocean front property. tax incentives to Massachusetts- based companies engaged Finally, Lynn is eligible to work in life sciences research and with the right developers to leverage development, commercialization, Tax Increment Financing via the and manufacturing. state’s Economic Development Incentive Program in partnership Single Sales Factor Tax Reduction between the city, the state and the Available to companies with multi- company. state tax filings, the SSFTR can be a significant reduction. In addition to the MassDevelopment driven incentives, Some of the most important the Commonwealth offers a range of and valuable contributors to the incentives that could be tapped to Massachusetts economy have help Amazon build, hire and thrive worked closely with state and in Lynn.