Tesla officially names Texas gigafactory as its new headquarters "Tesla officially relocated its headquarters to the site of its new Austin-area gigafactory Dec. 1, according to a filing from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The form 8-K filing listed 13101 Harold Green Road, Austin, as the electric carmaker's new headquarters, the same site as Giga Texas." (Olivia Aldridge, Community Impact)
To boost housing supply, Council to allow residential use in commercial zones "Of all the policies to arise from City Council’s decreed Austin Housing Affordability and Supply Week, the most substantial is allowing residential use in commercial zones, a move that could open up capacity for tens of thousands of new homes. ... The rule change, while certainly no silver bullet for Austin’s affordability woes, could increase housing supply by at most 46,324 residential units, according to a 2018 report by the Planning Commission." (Jonathan Lee, Austin Monitor)
Capital Metro spends thousands on brand overhaul, removes Texas Capitol dome from logo "Capital Metro is spending tens of thousands of dollars to redesign the logo that appears on everything from buses and trains to uniforms and trash cans. The current logo shows an icon of the Texas Capitol dome followed by the word 'Metro.' The new logo is a wordmark, a term for a logo made of only letters, that spells the word 'CapMetro.''" (Nathan Bernier, KUT)
Austin billionaire’s foundation gives $38 million to combat local homelessness "The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has committed $38 million to combating homelessness in Austin. The foundation, established by Austin billionaire Michael Dell and his wife, Susan, announced the donation November 30. The bulk of the money — $36.6 million — will go to Multiplying Goodness, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ Community First! Village." (John Egan, CultureMap Austin)
Austin is looking for ideas to secure creative spaces, kicks off Cultural Trust work Austin's fledgling economic development arm is beginning its work to help establish affordable creative spaces in the city. The Austin Economic Development Corp. announced Nov. 30 it is accepting proposals from organizations and operators in Austin's creative sector that are interested in long-term, affordable space. They're asked to propose projects that include the preservation and acquisition of existing spaces or the acquisition and construction of new spaces such as live music venues, performing arts venues, creative business hubs, art exhibition facilities, iconic venues and more. (Kathryn Hardison, Austin Business Journal)
H-E-B demolition, rebuild of South Congress store to start in early 2022 "The demolition and rebuilding of the H-E-B store at South Congress Avenue and Oltorf Street in Austin start early next year, the company said Thursday. H-E-B had planned to close the South Congress H-E-B in March 2020 for the project. The building was to be demolished to make way for a multi-level store with underground parking, a beer garden, a food hall and a stage for live music. H-E-B spokeswoman Leslie Sweet told the American-Statesman at the time that the postponement was due to both COVID and construction issues." (Lori Hawkins, Austin American-Statesman)
