IRVINE, CA- The Irvine Co. executives are making a play to bring online retail giant Amazon.com's second headquarters to Irvine, officials announced Friday.
The development company is teaming up with the city to put together a bid to lure Amazon to Orange County.
"Our proposal will meet Amazon's ambitious specifications and offer a promising and productive environment to nurture its long-term success," said Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren.
The company's current headquarters is located in Seattle, where it employs more than 40,000 people. Amazon said it plans to invest $5 billion in the construction and operation of its second headquarters, which would employ as many as 50,000 people.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Amazon has set an Oct. 19 deadline for proposals, with a decision expected sometime next year.
Los Angeles officials confirmed Thursday that they would also bid for the headquarters.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Irvine has many strategic advantages that are important to Amazon, and our company has widely recognized experience and expertise creating sophisticated work spaces and campuses for innovative, growing companies," said Dan Young, who will be the project leader for Irvine Co.
Among Irvine's advantages are UC Irvine, its successful local schools, and access to major thoroughfares and airports, officials say.
City News Service contributed to this report
Amazon Logo image
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
