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The issues on 3rd Ave are certainly a major factor, but I doubt it's Amazon's only one. Since the Tax Amazon campaign started in Seattle, Amazon has been planning up to move out - or at least to make it clear to the Seattle city council that they could.

(Because the last time this came up I was misunderstood, the intent of this comment is to expand thinking beyond merely taking press releases at face value)

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Amazon likes to threaten to leave, as do other wealthy companies (e.g., Uber and Lyft in California, sports franchises). It's a brazen assertion that they are above the democratic process and other people's votes, and IMHO should get an appropriate response.

Those at the other side of the negotiating table should remember that they have a lot to offer, and that the company needs them too. Also, there can be no question of whether someone or some organization is above democracy.

They are moving one office, not the entirety of their downtown offices and South Lake Union campuses. The tax amazon movement has nothing to do with it. It is important to expand thinking, but it isn't a good idea to just make up reasons either.

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