Tesla now selling electricity in Texas, but most in Austin area won't be eligible "Tesla Energy, a subsidiary of Austin-based Tesla, had previously hinted that it planned to become an energy retailer in Texas. The company now says on its website that its retail plan — dubbed Tesla Electric — is available by invitation to select Texas customers." (Kara Carlson, Austin American-Statesman)
Samsung has secured additional tax breaks potentially worth billions "Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. last week quietly gained approval for tax breaks for the potential expansion of its longtime factory in Northeast Austin. Manor Independent School District trustees voted Dec. 12 to approve Chapter 313 incentives for Samsung. That came just days after additional Chapter 313 incentives were approved in Taylor, where Samsung is already building a $17 billion semiconductor factory." (Justin Sayers, Austin Business Journal)
Austin metro's home price is flat for the first time since 2019, report says "The Austin housing market is normalizing, and for the first time since before the pandemic, metro home prices are not on the rise. According to the Austin Board of Realtors' latest monthly report, November 2022 marked the first time since February 2019 that the median home price for the Austin-Round Rock metro area was flat. The metro's median registered at $467,955 last month, the same as November 2021, meaning 0 percent year-over-year growth." (Arden Ward, CultureMap Austin)
One of the Rainey Street District’s Last Single-Family Homes Is for Sale "One of the final single-family residential holdouts of the Rainey Street District has officially hit the market this week. The 1945 bungalow at 701 River Street, located on a 3,375-square-foot lot at the corner of Rainey and River Streets in the heart of the rapidly-developing entertainment district, is listed with an asking price of $10 million." (James Rambin, Towers)
City moving forward with new floodplain maps from Atlas 14 rainfall study "The city is moving forward with its effort to update its floodplain maps, in anticipation of an expected increase in dramatic rainfall and flooding events caused by climate change over the next decade." (Chad Swiatecki, Austin Monitor)
Austin’s chief zoning officer to retire after 29 years "After 29 years of service, Jerry Rusthoven is retiring as Austin’s chief zoning officer at the housing and planning department, and moving on to serve Sunset Valley. Rusthoven will see out December in Austin before beginning his new role as development services coordinator in Sunset Valley on Jan. 11." (Community Impact)
Pease Mansion renovations get OK, owner remains mystery "Members of the Austin commission that reviews plans to renovate historic properties are frustrated that the family who purchased the Pease Mansion in 2021 refuses to identify itself. ... The secrecy has irked the Historic Landmark Commission, which met on Dec. 13 and voted to approve extensive plans to modernize and expand the aging residence, whose past owners include two Texas governors, the University of Texas, and the state of Texas." (Ryan Autullo, Austin American-Statesman)
Big data centers rising in Round Rock approved for sales tax rebates up to 50% "Las Vegas-based Switch Inc. on Dec. 15 was approved by Round Rock City Council for an economic development performance agreement for what company officials previously said will eventually be a 1.5-million-square-foot facility known as "The Rock." (Justin Sayers, Austin Business Journal)
