Long Island City skyline. Photo Credit: Long Island City Partnership
NEW YORK CITY—A poll by Quinnipiac University shows that an overwhelming majority of New York City voters endorse the decision by Amazon to locate one of its new headquarters in Queens. However, the level of support for the estimated $3-billion incentive package offered to the online consumer giant depends on what borough they reside in.
New York City voters approved by a 57% to 26% margin the decision by Amazon to locate a portion of its HQ2 requirement t in Long Island City, Queens. The level of support among Queens voters stood at 60% pro to 26% con, according to Quinnipiac University Poll. Support for the Amazon relocation ranged from 51% to 29% in favor among Manhattan voters to 64% to 21% among Bronx voters who liked the deal.
“While New Yorkers give the thumbs up to Amazon moving one of its new headquarters to Long Island City, they are divided over the sizeable carrot offered to the online retail giant. They are united, however, in their view that New York City should have more of a say about Amazon's plans,” says Mary Snow, polling analyst for the Quinnipiac University Poll.
In the polling of voters on the city and state incentives, overall 46% are in support of the aid, while 44% are opposed.
Breaking it down by borough, Manhattan voters apparently believe the price tag was too high with 52% opposed and only 39% that approved the incentives. Brooklyn voters were slightly opposed to the multi-billion-dollar package by a 46% to 40% margin. Bronx voters supported the incentives at 54% to 37%, which was only slightly edged out by Queens voters which supported the Amazon financial parks by a 55% to 39% margin. Forty seven percent of Staten Island voters supported the incentives, while 49% said they were opposed to the package.
A total of 54% of New York City voters said they do not have any concerns about Amazon's ambitious plans in Queens, with 41% of city voters saying they did have some concerns about the project. Voters in the borough of Queens that expressed no concerns held the same 54%-41% margin over those that do have some issues with the development plans by Amazon in Long Island City.
Among New York City voters that were worried about Amazon coming to Queens, housing was their biggest concern for 31%, 25% are most concerned about transportation, 20% expressed concern about quality of life and 19% raised all of those issues.
A total of 79% of New York City voters polled believe the city should be more involved in bringing Amazon to Long Island City.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo got mixed reviews for his handling of the Amazon deal, with 34% of city voters approving his efforts and 38% that disapproved.
Voters disapproved of Mayor Bill de Blasio's handling of the Amazon deal by a 38% to 31% margin. Queens voters approved the mayor's actions by a slim 34% to 32% margin.
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John Jordan
John Jordan is a veteran journalist with 36 years of print and digital media experience.
