Amazon CEO, Citing ‘Rougher’ Patch With Seattle, Looks to ‘Burbs

Amazon.com Inc.Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy is open to a reset in his company’s sometimes-contentious relationship with Seattle, but made clear that he’s hedging his bets with plans to expand in neighboring cities.

The world’s largest online retailer is by far the biggest private employer in Seattle with more than 50,000 workers. That distinction has proved a headache in recent years, with some residents and government officials blaming the company for exacerbating homelessness and traffic.

“I’d say the last five years, the city council has become less enamored with business or with Amazon,” Jassy said during an event hosted ...