Somerville Submitting Regional Bid For Amazon HQ

SOMERVILLE, MA – Cities across the country are clawing for consideration for Amazon's second headquarters, including Boston. But a second proposal from its neighbor hopes to draw the e-commerce giant in by expanding the number of municipalities involved and suggesting several sites across as many as five communities for Amazon to set up camp. The Boston Herald reported late last week that Somerville is expected to submit a regional proposal, with Mayor Curtatone touting the effort as a way to "break out of our provincial and parochial mindset."

The proposal identifies sites on the Orange Line that could address Amazon's desired 8 million square feet of space, according to the Herald. These include areas of Somerville, Cambridge, Boston, Everett and Chelsea, such as North Station Tower, a possible office tower next to TD Garden, a bus yard in Charlestown, Assembly Row, Union Square and North Point.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh told the Herald that he is focused on his city's solitary bid, which will likely zero in on Suffolk Downs. Moody's ranked a Boston pitch as ninth out of the top 10 cities that most align with Amazon's HQ2 request for proposals, as well as additional factors it believes are important to businesses making such landmark decisions.

Amazon HQ2 applications are due Oct. 19. Gov. Charlie Baker has said anywhere from 10-20 bids could come out of Massachusetts.

>>>Read more from the Boston Herald.

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