The community that rejected Amazon

A day after Amazon announced that it would abandon controversial projects to build a new campus in New York, the neighborhood chosen for the expansion was still in shock.

In Manducatis Rustica, an Italian restaurant on the main street that was created in 1977, people were in mourning.

At the nearest metro station, there was a sense of relief.

The divided opinions reflected the fierce debate over the Amazon plan, which would have created 25,000 additional jobs in 10 years in a Queens riparian district already facing the aftermath of years of rapid change.

"At the local level, I'm happy," said Chad Pierce, 35, who has lived in the area for nine years.

"It makes me feel like I can live here for another three to five years."

Closed factories, open houses

Long Island City, once a sluggish industrial hub, is now one of the fastest growing sites in the United States.

More than 8,000 apartments have opened in the neighborhood since 2015. It is expected to add nearly 10,000 more by 2020.

The neighborhood's transformation, located on the East River at a subway stop in downtown Manhattan, has not always been easy.

Rents are on the rise and older residents are overwhelmed by an influx of richer and more educated residents.

Meanwhile, despite the growth, some restaurants and local shops have struggled. Due to weekend visits by new residents who do not make up for the weekend, active customers have been lost with the departure of commercial and manufacturing businesses.

At Cafe Manducatis Rustica, the owner, Gianna Cerbone, said she had been forced to cut back on breakfast and lunch offers.

But on the campus of Amazon, she saw the opportunity to reverse the situation.

On Friday, Ms. Cerbone appeared in court as a steady stream of visitors went to her restaurant to share their disappointment at Amazon's decision.

"I am devastated," said Ms. Cerbone. "We need something that supports the community."

backlash

The site chosen by Amazon for its campus is a mix of old manufacturing buildings, housing taxi cabs, government offices and tool stores, which seem ready to be redeveloped compared to glbad flats. glitters located nearby.

Recent polls have revealed overwhelming support for the project.

But the plan also triggered negative reactions, in part because of state and city tax incentives of about $ 3 billion ($ 2.3 billion) promised to Amazon if it met its commitments in terms of recruitment and investment.

Local activists and politicians have questioned the need for incentives, which amount to more than $ 48,000 per job – far more generous than the agreement accepted by Amazon in northern Virginia, near Washington, DC a similar project is envisaged.

Opponents have also accused an influx of Amazonian workers to weigh in on the neighborhood, resulting in higher rents and overcrowded streets.

"Long Island City is full of people, we build buildings on top of each other," said Pierce.

Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, who defended the deal, argued that the cost of tax breaks would be more than offset by new growth spurred by Amazon's recruitments and investments.

They said the state could generate up to $ 27 billion in new tax revenue that can be used to improve parks, transit and neighborhood schools.

Fan Ronny Beyer, 38, who moved to Long Island City about 14 years ago, said the project was a "unique opportunity in a lifetime".

"Now we have nothing left," he said.

"Who will come here now?

Andrew McGowan, 27, who moved to Long Island City about two years ago, said he did not worry about the consequences of Amazon's rebuff.

"The area is going to be fine," he said. "Growth will be more sustainable."

Others were more worried.

"Who will come here now?" asked Mrs. Cerbone. "Who will go to where Amazon is fighting?"