Amazon Exec: Leaker 'Not Doing Crystal City, VA Any Favors'

ARLINGTON, VA -- An Amazon executive is not happy about someone at the company possibly leaking a report that Crystal City was about to be chosen as the company's second headquarters, tweeting over the weekend that the leak was "not doing Crystal City, VA any favors."

The Washington Post published a story on Saturday that indicated Amazon had held "advanced discussions" about selecting Crystal City as the site of its second headquarters, citing "people close to the process." Those discussions reportedly included how quickly the retail giant could move employees there, which buildings it would occupy, and how the announcement would be made.

Mike Grella, Amazon's director of economic development public policy, bristled at the report, tweeting shortly after it was published that the leak might cause problems for Crystal City.

"Memo to the genius leaking info about Crystal City, VA as #HQ2 selection," Grella wrote. "You’re not doing Crystal City, VA any favors. And stop treating the NDA you signed like a used napkin."

However, Grella didn't get a whole lot of sympathy online.

If by "not doing any favors" you mean "causing Amazon to choose somewhere else" then you're doing ME a favor... a resident of 22202 who would like to continue living here and not pay $3,000/month in rent
— Kevin M Combes (@slashkevin) November 3, 2018

actually it's good that it leaked and the level of secrecy and lack of public input was disgusting, thanks
— covfefe watchdog (@AllezLesBoulez) November 3, 2018

Some would argue that @amazon isn't doing Crystal City, or whatever city it selects, any favors by locating #HQ2 there.
— Phil McKenna (@mckennapr) November 3, 2018

The Post reported that Amazon is so close to settling on Crystal City, in fact, that real estate developer JBG Smith removed some of its buildings off the leasing market. Officials are also mulling over how to announce the news to the public after the midterms, though Amazon could be having similar talks with other cities.

The Post said hundreds of workers would probably be moved into 1851 S. Bell Street or 1770 Crystal Dr. should Crystal City ultimately be selected.

The news comes amid growing speculation that the D.C. area — particularly Northern Virginia — will likely become the home of Amazon's massive 2nd headquarters. Northern Virginia was one of 20 areas on the e-commerce giant's short list. But experts have focused specifically on Crystal City as a likely landing spot.

The New York Times reported that Crystal City would be advantageous for several reasons: it's proximity to D.C., Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport; most buildings are owned by just one developer; it has a Metro station; and it as highly educated — and diverse— workforce. Virginia is also business-friendly.

Jeff Bezos, who took over The Post in 2013, said Thursday his own "intuition" would ultimately be the deciding factor.

Additional reporting by Daniel Hampton/Patch

(Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)