Amazon has held “advanced discussions” about the possibility of placing its second headquarters in Crystal City, Virginia, the Washington Post reported citing people familiar.
The newspaper reported the talks included “how quickly the company would move employees there, which buildings it would occupy and how an announcement about the move would be made to the public.”
The discussions were more detailed than those the company has had regarding other locations in Northern Virginia and some other cities nationally. At stake: the online retail giant’s second North American headquarters and 50,000 jobs.
Spokesmen for Amazon declined to comment to the newspaper, as did Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol.
But an Amazon.com Inc.’s economic development director isn’t happy about the report.
In a tweet Saturday morning, Amazon’s Mike Grella addressed “the genius leaking info,” saying: “You’re not doing Crystal City, VA any favors. And stop treating the NDA you signed like a used napkin.” Grella didn’t say who he thought leaked the information, nor did he address the story itself.
In another tweet about an hour earlier, Grella criticized an earlier story in the Post — owned by Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos — for speculating about the possible second headquarters location based on flight patterns of Bezos’ jet.
“The search team has earned his trust and the highest use of his time isn’t looking at vacant buildings and land — he has a company to run,” Grella wrote.