NEW YORK - A diverse group of business and political leaders is asking Amazon to reconsider bringing its new headquarters to Queens.

This after the company pulled out because of strong political opposition.

The open letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos appears as a full page ad in Friday's New York Times.

It was organized by the Partnership for New York City and signed by leaders including former Mayor David Dinkins and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.

The letter says New Yorkers aren't ready to lose the jobs and tax revenue that the Amazon deal would have brought the city.

The letter says "Opinions are strong in New York—sometimes strident. We consider it part of the New York charm! But when we commit to a project as important as this, we figure out how to get it done in a way that works for everyone."

Governor Andrew Cuomo also says he's been working behind the scenes to change Amazon's mind.

 

"I’ve had many conversations with Amazon. I hope that they reconsider. Up until now we haven’t seen any change in their position. It would be helpful if the state senate said they would approve it," Cuomo said.

The Cuomo administration would not confirm a New York Times report that the governor spoke directly with Jeff Bezos.

Meantime, a Queens businessman traveled to Seattle this week to try to get Amazon to reconsider New York.

Restaurant owner Josh Bowen is upset with local politicans and groups who fought the Amazon deal.

He says Amazon executives he spoke with didn't want to pull out of Queens.

"They wanted to be here. I mean I could tell by the way they were talking about it. They understand what this city means. We understand what Amazon means," Bowen said.

Bowen says he's encouraged by his trip to Seattle and that he left the city believing Amazon executives may have a change of heart.