Micron's plans for potential $80B semiconductor factory near Lockhart unveiled in incentives applications "In documents made public Aug. 24, Boise, Idaho-based Micron Technology Inc. revealed publicly for the first time it could build a massive, eight-phased fabrication facility near Lockhart, a city about 35 miles southeast of Austin with a population of roughly 15,000 and a reputation as the barbecue capital of Texas." (Justin Sayers, Austin Business Journal)
37-story tower planned at former Carmelo's site in downtown Austin "Plans are moving forward for a 37-story apartment tower at East Fifth and Red River streets in downtown Austin, where Carmelo's Italian restaurant formerly operated. Austin-based Stonelake Capital Partners plans to break ground on the tower within the next year, said Will Jenkins, a partner with Stonelake Capital Partners. The high-rise, at 506 E. Fifth St., would add to downtown Austin's building boom, where ever-taller skyscrapers are proposed, under construction, newly finished, or soon-to-be-completed." (Shonda Novak, Austin American-Statesman)
Austinites to vote on $350M housing bond this November "After signing off on the proposal in concept earlier this summer, Austin City Council officially added a $350 million housing bond to the city's November election ballot Aug. 18. Council voted 10-1 in favor of putting the new proposal before city voters, with District 6 Council Member Mackenzie Kelly opposed. The housing bond proposition will be the first put to city voters since 2018 when a $250 million bond passed with 72.8% support." (Ben Thompson, Community Impact)
Austin Mayor Steve Adler celebrates mobility, equity and housing wins in final State of the City "Austin Mayor Steve Adler lauded the 10-1 City Council system and the headway council has made on mobility, equity and housing issues during his eighth and final State of the City address, delivered to a packed City Hall on Thursday. He also lamented the lack of progress on more intransigent issues, such as zoning reform." (Emma Freer, KUT-FM/Austin Monitor)
Skybox, Prologis buy 200-plus acres outside Austin for data center campus "More than 200 acres along a desirable stretch of highway in Hutto is set to be transformed into a large data center campus as officials continue to push for development of a 'technology superhighway' in Williamson County north of Austin." (Justin Sayers, Austin Business Journal)
City Hamstrung as Renters Face Crippling Costs "A spate of new data continues to illustrate just how serious the rent affordability crisis remains in Austin, though it's cooled slightly since the spring. In July, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment increased by more than 28% over July of last year, per Rent.com data – more than in any large city in the U.S. with the exception of Phoenix. The average rent in Austin also remains higher than anywhere in Texas except Frisco, a Dallas suburb with nearly twice the median household income of Austin and a fraction of the rental stock." (Abe Asher, Austin Chronicle)
Historic zoning for Westgate Tower delayed amid concern over tax breaks "The Planning Commission postponed a decision Tuesday on whether the Westgate Tower should be zoned historic due to concern about a tax break for condo owners. Preservationists deem the tower at 1122 Colorado Street historic for its architecture and its association with historical figures." (Jonathan Lee, Austin Monitor)
