Dear D.C. and NYC, take a cue from Seattle's playbook

This post originally appeared in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Wright on Center” column on December 14, 2018.

The sigh heard ‘round Seattle.

At least that’s how it seemed last month when Amazon announced its decision to open “branch offices” near New York City and Washington, D.C. As we were finally able to let out a breath we’d been holding since the search was announced, locals flooded Twitter, Medium and comment sections with musings and concerns borne from years of watching the tech behemoth reshape our region.

Those years have given Seattle a unique perspective into the 21st century tech industry. There’s certainly much our friends back East can learn, but perhaps the most important lessons can be boiled down to this: Think big(ger), ask for more and celebrate the moments.

In conversations around kitchen tables, at city hall and in boardrooms, Seattleites have taken hard note of the physical changes to our built environment. Maybe we were naïve, but it’s clear now that our streets, blocks, neighborhoods, parks and just about every piece of public infrastructure were simply not ready for the growth that’s occurred in the last 10 years.

A city on the edge of a built-up place like New York may not have that problem, but I wouldn’t take that bet.

Whatever officials in National Landing or Long Island City have in mind to make room for their new neighbor, they ought to think bigger, much bigger. Remember, this is the company that created the “Buy now with 1 Click” button, which is a little too on the nose. You’ll understand when you’re zigzagging your way around sidewalks and streets blocked by construction.

Along with growing pains, we’ve had unimaginable fortune.

Seattle has long been a company town, and with Amazon we’ve been lucky to have more consumers participating in the economy. These newcomers make a welcome addition to the community, spending their earned incomes at local businesses and supporting local charities. Welcome them into your community like potential partners. Look at Mary’s Place as your model and ask them to work with you to solve challenges.

Remember that business is part of a solution — there will be ups and downs that come with bringing a large number of high-paying jobs quickly to your city. As you navigate this reality, ensure that business has a seat at the table to help solve these issues.

Finally, take a moment to celebrate. In fact, take a lot of them.

In the next decade, you’ll see businesses thriving on the periphery and new investments breaking ground. If you’ve heeded the first two lessons appropriately, then longtime residents will be better off. That’s your bellwether. Help them get ahead, and celebrate with them when they do. 

For all the ups and downs that come with large employers moving into town, there’s an undeniable benefit to the lives of people who work there. Welcome them sincerely while looking out for everyone else, and you’ll do just fine.