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Atlanta and NS negoitations down to the wire ?

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Atlanta and NS negoitations down to the wire ?
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, November 1, 2018 4:47 PM

NS is apparently in stiff negoitations as to NS' move to ATL.

https://pilotonline.com/business/ports-rail/article_77a192b6-dd58-11e8-a5b6-c792dd65c226.html 

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Posted by samfp1943 on Saturday, November 3, 2018 2:38 PM

blue streak 1

NS is apparently in stiff negoitations as to NS' move to ATL.

https://pilotonline.com/business/ports-rail/article_77a192b6-dd58-11e8-a5b6-c792dd65c226.html 

  Permit me an observation. Having lived in the Atlanta area, and moved away, and just back for the occasional visit. 

     The folks who will move to Atlanta area from Tidewater Virginia,will need to brace themselves for living in Atlanta areas, and commuting in Atlanta traffic.      Particularly, those that will have to drive themselves to work; not necessarily, the one's that rate company cars and drivers. Whistling

And then, this pops up! Off Topic Interesting,maybe, but not unrelated?

   Might just be some 'give and take' for Virginia.Oops From a CNBC site:

Link@ https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/03/amazon-reportedly-in-advanced-stages-of-naming-va-as-2nd-headquarters.html

"Amazon is reportedly in the advanced stages of naming Crystal City, Virginia as its 2nd headquarters: Washington Post"

 

 


 

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, November 3, 2018 3:52 PM

samfp1943
 
blue streak 1

NS is apparently in stiff negoitations as to NS' move to ATL.

https://pilotonline.com/business/ports-rail/article_77a192b6-dd58-11e8-a5b6-c792dd65c226.html  

  Permit me an observation. Having lived in the Atlanta area, and moved away, and just back for the occasional visit. 

 

     The folks who will move to Atlanta area from Tidewater Virginia,will need to brace themselves for living in Atlanta areas, and commuting in Atlanta traffic.      Particularly, those that will have to drive themselves to work; not necessarily, the one's that rate company cars and drivers. Whistling

And then, this pops up! Off Topic Interesting,maybe, but not unrelated?

   Might just be some 'give and take' for Virginia.Oops From a CNBC site:

Link@ https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/03/amazon-reportedly-in-advanced-stages-of-naming-va-as-2nd-headquarters.html

"Amazon is reportedly in the advanced stages of naming Crystal City, Virginia as its 2nd headquarters: Washington Post"

An Amazon 'fulfillment center' in the Holabird area of Baltimore had the roof collapse and kill two employees last night (11/2/18) when a severe storm went through the area.

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Posted by Convicted One on Saturday, November 3, 2018 10:31 PM

samfp1943
And then, this pops up! Interesting,maybe, but not unrelated?    Might just be some 'give and take' for Virginia. From a CNBC site: Link@ https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/03/amazon-reportedly-in-advanced-stages-of-naming-va-as-2nd-headquarters.html "Amazon is reportedly in the advanced stages of naming Crystal City, Virginia as its 2nd headquarters: Washington Post"

So, one of the biggest "plums" (Amazon supposedly building their second headquarters in the Gulch redevelopment) might now go elsewhere? And, most of the "new" jobs Norfolk Southern would bring to Atlanta would just be employees transplanted from Vikrginia?

That  doesn't sound like a lot of new jobs being created for Atlantans, considering how much they are being expected to throw in to the bargain.

More nof a boon to those collecting taxes than those paying them.

I found this article outlining the posture of Atlanta's mayor quite interesting. 

Especially where she says:  "This proposed agreement with CIM represents a once in a lifetime chance to bring much needed investment and redevelopment to the heart of downtown Atlanta."


She sounds as though she thinks Atlanta redevelopment has been moribund for decades.  Perhaps she means this is a "once in her lifetime"  opportunity, for related favors?

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Posted by Convicted One on Saturday, November 3, 2018 10:37 PM

blue streak 1
NS is apparently in stiff negoitations as to NS' move to ATL.

Might be more cost effective to just use the taxpayer's money to buy "the gulch" from Norfolk Southern, giving the railroad the incentive it claims will greenlight their plans, and then work out a seperate deal later to sell the land to CIM, with absent the deadline pressure?

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Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, November 4, 2018 1:14 AM

Ah yes, the ethics of the low bid in play?

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, November 4, 2018 7:43 AM

mudchicken
Ah yes, the ethics of the low bid in play?

Weather guessers are calling it a EF-1 Tornado, that was on the ground for a 2 mile swath and damaged a apartment complex a short distance away.  The Tornado fatalities area claimed to be the first in MD in 16 years.  The storm system also damaged a TJ Maxx/ Home Goods store in Mt.Airy as well as disrupting CSX's Old Main Line with a number of trees down across the track.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, November 4, 2018 11:27 AM

If the Atlanta Gulch is built over without any provision for a future rail station then commuter rail and more Amtrak service may be forever impossible.  The Gulch was once home to 2 stations Union station -  GARR, NC&SL, L&N, ACL  and Terminal station SOU RR, SAL, A&WP, C of GA.   The ACL had to opperate north of Union Station on NC&SL tracks to Tilford yard and turn west under SOU RR to west end of Atlanta then south.  That access is now mitigated by a connection on the A&WP near the Fairburn intermodal yard.

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Posted by Convicted One on Sunday, November 4, 2018 12:36 PM

blue streak 1

If the Atlanta Gulch is built over without any provision for a future rail station then commuter rail and more Amtrak service may be forever impossible. 

I always thought it was a mistake not to have a MARTA train station at Brookwood.

But, with the Dome and  5 points stations already so near "the gulch", and Garnett not all that far away, do you really think they would build in another stop so closely spaced?

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, November 4, 2018 9:13 PM

Was not talking about MARTA trains.  Was referring to the not very likely commuter rail from suburbs on freight RRs 

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Posted by Convicted One on Monday, November 5, 2018 5:02 PM

blue streak 1

Was not talking about MARTA trains.  Was referring to the not very likely commuter rail from suburbs on freight RRs 

 

My bad,...I suppose.

But do you think NS would go along with the idea even if CIM could be persuaded to include a terminal  in the Gulch development? What quick reading I've done since reading your reply suggests that CIM has no plans for such a facility.

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Posted by rdamon on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 8:33 AM

Well it got approved $1.9B ... only thing left is to figure out what politician to name it after...

 

https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/city-council-approves-billion-subsidy-package-for-gulch-project/gFr7QJJF9f0UvvM4hzV7YM/

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Posted by Convicted One on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 5:58 PM

rdamon
nly thing left is to figure out what politician to name it after...  

Maybe they could (also) rename a surface street " Chuck Mooreman Pike"?  Nobody's got Northside Drive yet  do they? That ought to please him.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, November 12, 2018 7:35 PM

Well the deal appears to have been made.  However the location is not well defined as Ponce DeLeon and 3rd street run parallel to each other so unable to acurately determine cross street.  The ATT building helps and that may put the site at West Peachtree and Spring street ?  However there was a church on that block last time there.  Also very close to the Varsity .

NS if there will be one block from the North Avenue MARTA train station on the N - S line.  

 

https://www.railwayage.com/freight/vote-clinches-deal-for-norfolk-southern-hq-move-to-atlanta/?RAchannel=news

 

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Posted by samfp1943 on Monday, November 12, 2018 7:53 PM

Blue streak 1

Well the deal appears to have been made.  However the location is not well defined as Ponce DeLeon and 3rd street run parallel to each other so unable to acurately determine cross street.  The ATT building helps and that may put the site at West Peachtree and Spring street ?  However there was a church on that block last time there.  Also very close to the Varsity .

NS if there will be one block from the North Avenue MARTA train station on the N - S line. 

https://www.railwayage.com/freight/vote-clinches-deal-for-norfolk-southern-hq-move-to-atlanta/?RAchannel=news

blue streak 1:

Their first trip in to The Varsity, for the 'Brass' from tidewater;Dinner

                                         ought to be worth the price of admission !  Mischief 

 

 


 

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, November 12, 2018 8:05 PM

I have found what looks to be a vacant lot at the northwest corner of Peachtree and 3rd Street NE. Of course, I may have not found the right place.

https://www.bing.com/maps?cp=33.773008%7c-84.378135&style=h&lvl=18&v=1

 

Johnny

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, November 12, 2018 8:53 PM

Deggesty

I have found what looks to be a vacant lot at the northwest corner of Peachtree and 3rd Street NE. Of course, I may have not found the right place.

https://www.bing.com/maps?cp=33.773008%7c-84.378135&style=h&lvl=18&v=1

 

That is it !!  good location close to AT&T communications, MARTA station, Varsity fast food open many hours of day and night,  Ga Tech just to west across  I-75, 85  many possible interns and future hires..

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Posted by oltmannd on Monday, November 12, 2018 9:27 PM

3rd and West Peachtree St. is a good location.  It's where the surface lot is just downhill (west) on Ponce from the Fox Theater.  Lots of folk use it when they go to shows at the Fox.  Being on West Peach is also good as the Express buses from the suburbs to Midtown run right up West Peachtree. 

It's two Marta stops down from the current location on Peachtree (near Arts Center stop).  Funny thing is, NS just spent a huge bunch of money on their current Atlanta offices.  Renovated every floor, update HVAC, updated elevators, new dispatching center... And all those folks will be moving to new office when it's done.

My favorite was the heritage logos in every elevator floor.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/49398450@N04/1q364F

 

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Posted by BOB WITHORN on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 11:11 AM
It's real easy to spend other peoples money
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Posted by oltmannd on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 11:18 AM

BOB WITHORN
It's real easy to spend other peoples money
 

That's not what happened here.  Nobody spent any tax money on anything.  There ARE tax incentives for all of this - but that is standard operating procedure for cities and states these days when they compete for economic development.

Is it good or bad?  Depends.  If the net economic benefit exceeds the value of the tax incentive, then good.  If it's just a giant game of whack-a-mole, then bad.

But, this stuff is rarely a zero sum game.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 8:40 AM

The current NS Headquarters is a former AT&T facility that was poorly maintained by AT&T, but still was a step up from the previous SOU buildings that were too small for the combined railroad.

I'm wishing I could see what happens when the sheltered little world of the corporate glitter-palace that was Norfolk moves to where the action is (Atlanta) and where the railroad really runs from. After reality hits, I fear the interference from the newly arrived bumpkins will create some discord and inefficient moves when the beancounters and the "we did it this way" tribes try to re-invent the wheel. (In some ways, separation was a good thing.)

 

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
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Posted by samfp1943 on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 6:58 PM

mudchicken

The current NS Headquarters is a former AT&T facility that was poorly maintained by AT&T, but still was a step up from the previous SOU buildings that were too small for the combined railroad.

MC further said: "I'm wishing I could see what happens when the sheltered little world of the corporate glitter-palace that was Norfolk moves to where the action is (Atlanta) and where the railroad really runs from. After reality hits, I fear the interference from the newly arrived bumpkins will create some discord and inefficient moves when the beancounters and the "we did it this way" tribes try to re-invent the wheel." (In some ways, separation was a good thing.)

  MC. Possibly a statemet of prophacy?  Mischief

                BS1 is going to have a seat near the action for this one. Since he's a resident of the HotLanta area...

   Times like this we need on of those popcorn machine emojis.Bang Head

    My guess is that The Varsity will not be the only place near The new NS HQ to get hot dogs any way you want them; when the dust settles on this move for NS.  

   Will be interesting to see how this move shakes out.  I'm guessing at some point the bean counters are going to get the weiner for this deal? Oops

  

 

 

 


 

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Posted by oltmannd on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 10:25 PM

mudchicken
The current NS Headquarters is a former AT&T facility that was poorly maintained by AT&T, but still was a step up from the previous SOU buildings that were too small for the combined railroad.

It was a huge step up from even the best of the Spring St. buildings (185).

But...

You haven't been there lately.  NS just gutted each floor and totally renovated.  New everything.  Very modern.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by oltmannd on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 10:27 PM

mudchicken
I'm wishing I could see what happens when the sheltered little world of the corporate glitter-palace that was Norfolk moves to where the action is (Atlanta) and where the railroad really runs from. After reality hits, I fear the interference from the newly arrived bumpkins will create some discord and inefficient moves when the beancounters and the "we did it this way" tribes try to re-invent the wheel. (In some ways, separation was a good thing.)

Many of the bean counters won't be invited to move, I think.  And a bunch more won't move.  ...not there will be any jobs left behind.

Why this move now?  I don't think Squires has a boat.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, November 15, 2018 8:41 AM

oltmannd
 
mudchicken
I'm wishing I could see what happens when the sheltered little world of the corporate glitter-palace that was Norfolk moves to where the action is (Atlanta) and where the railroad really runs from. After reality hits, I fear the interference from the newly arrived bumpkins will create some discord and inefficient moves when the beancounters and the "we did it this way" tribes try to re-invent the wheel. (In some ways, separation was a good thing.) 

Many of the bean counters won't be invited to move, I think.  And a bunch more won't move.  ...not there will be any jobs left behind.

Why this move now?  I don't think Squires has a boat.

People, in general, don't like to move.

When the CSX Dispatch Center at Jacksonville decentralized in 2008, a number of dispatchers who did not have sufficient seniority to remain in Jacksonville either went back on pre-existing seniority or left the company.  When the Dispatch Center was recentrailized in 2017, roughly a half dozen of the 40 dispatchers at Baltimore either exercised their seniority or left the company.

I have no idea about the number of dispatchers that decided not to come to Jacksonville when the original centralization happened in the 1988-1990 period, but the number was signifcant.

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