Pittsburgh residents call on city leaders to make Amazon HQ 2 bid public

PITTSBURGH — We still don't know where Pittsburgh stacks up among the top 20 cities vying for Amazon's second headquarters.

That’s not stopping residents from asking city leaders to show the public the city's bid for Amazon HQ2.

The group held a news conference Wednesday to urge leaders to commit to the public process that it says will ensure quality local jobs and equitable community investment.

WATCH: City of Pittsburgh releases heartwarming video for bid to lure Amazon

So far, city and county leaders declined requests to have the Amazon HQ2 bid released.  Several open record requests have been denied.

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In February, Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records said Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officials must turn over copies of letters, emails and other communication that were part of the bid.  Both have appealed the order.

Brandi Fisher, of Pittsburgh United, said without knowing what's in the package being offered to Amazon, it's impossible to ensure the people in Hazelwood, or on the Northside -- two possible locations for Amazon's HQ2 -- will continue to have quality of life they now enjoy.

Reggie Moorefield, who works for UPMC, said if the deal is anything like what was offered when his current employer came to town, he's not on board.

"It's gonna do the same thing UPMC did. It's gonna come in, offer these great jobs, but not give us anything in return and it's gonna keep growing the company but it's employees are gonna stay where they are and it's not going to hep the affordable housing in the city," said Moorefield.

City council was in session today during todays plea for more transparency but the overwhelming concern on the steps of the City-County Building was the lack or loss of affordable housing if Amazon comes here.

Amazon hasn’t indicated when it will announce the winning bid, only saying it will happen this year.

Cox Media Group