My personal observation why Amazon was always going to move to LIC (New York City) and it has been decided if not years then months earlier: I live in NYC. I have a very good friend who moved to LIC in March this year. You have to understand that there is already abundance of construction going on in LIC for past few years, but not at an aggressive rate. But within a radius of three block where she lives (near FoodCellar market and Hayden something condos) construction peaked. I can count there are 7-8 aggressive construction going on this area alone. My understanding is clearly city leaked/shared this information with builders months in advance so that they can get a head start on these new condos. This area I am referring to is near One Court Sq (one of the buildings shortlisted for potential Amazon HQ).
https://commercialobserver.com/2018/11/amazon-finalizes-plan...
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Citibank/@40.7472946,-73.9...