Deep Ellum News

Uber says I do to Dallas with new hub opening in Deep Ellum tower

Starbucks Delivers Houston Uber Eats home delivery

The new hub will bring 3,000 jobs.

Dallas got a yes from Uber: Thanks to a sweet incentive package, Uber Technologies, Inc. has agreed to locate a new administrative hub housing corporate functions in Dallas, specifically the Epic tower under construction in Deep Ellum.

According to a release from the city of Dallas, the project will create 3,000 new jobs and more than $75 million in capital investment.

Uber's headquarters are in San Francisco. The company offers ride-hailing/taxi services plus food delivery and scooters. As Market Watch notes, it has yet to turn a profit and lost $1 billion in the first quarter of 2019. Executives say it may take years to make money.

Uber will receive a $24 million incentive package, including more than $9.3 million in tax incentives and a five-year tax abatement from the city of Dallas, approved by the city council on August 14. Dallas County also approved a $2.6 million tax break over the next 10 years.

Mayor Eric Johnson said in a statement that the company is a good fit.

"The numbers that make up this investment package add up to a win for Uber Technologies and for the City of Dallas," Johnson said. "But beyond the math, Dallas and Uber are just a great match. Dallas is a vibrant, diverse, welcoming, and innovative city, and I'm certain Uber and its employees will flourish here."

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi called Dallas innovative.

"Dallas became the first city in Texas where the Uber app was available in 2012, and since then Texas has been a hub of innovation for our platform," Khosrowshahi said. "Uber is excited to bring this major investment to Texas and to increase our commitment to the City of Dallas. We are grateful for our partnership with Governor Greg Abbott, Mayor Johnson and Judge Jenkins, and their leadership in making this a reality."

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said that the decision reflects the talent that's moving to Dallas.

City manager T.C. Broadnax said that Dallas has the infrastructure, diverse workforce, and global access. "We are continuing to invest in economic development to attract and retain companies like Uber so that Dallas remains an ideal location for businesses and working professionals," Broadnax said.

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Safe space

Plano ranks as No. 2 safest big city in the U.S. for 2026

Facebook/Plano Texas Police Department

Plano has been ranked the No. 2 safest city in the U.S. by SmartAsset.

Plano can add a new title to its growing list of superlatives. A new study from personal finance website SmartAsset ranks the Dallas suburb as the second-safest big city in the U.S. among cities with at least 250,000 residents.

Only Virginia Beach, Virginia ranked higher than Plano.

The 2026 study looked at 83 U.S. cities' violent crimes, property crimes, traffic deaths, and disaster risk.

Plano fared well in three of the four categories: 1.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, 14.7 property crimes per 1,000 residents, and 6.9 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents.

However, the study tagged Plano with a “relatively high” risk for natural disasters. You can pin the blame on the potential for tornadoes, flash floods, thunderstorms, and extreme heat in North Texas.

For all cities in the study, disaster risk and traffic deaths were measured at the county level.

“With consistently low crime rates and exceptional police and fire response times, Plano stands among the safest cities in America, ensuring peace of mind for residents and businesses alike,” Plano Economic Development says on its website.

Plano is one of two Texas cities in the SmartAsset study’s top 10. Laredo appears at No. 6. The top 10 cities are:

1. Virginia Beach, Virginia
2. Plano, Texas
3. Madison, Wisconsin
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
5. Chesapeake, Virginia
6. Laredo, Texas
7. Lexington, Kentucky
8. Boston, Massachusetts
9. Lincoln, Nebraska
10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“While no major population center is entirely free from danger, some are more successful than others at creating environments where people can live, work and travel with confidence,” SmartAsset says.

When it comes to lifestyle, Plano consistently ranks at or near the top of the rankings. It’s recently been named the 12th fittest city in the U.S. and the No. 4 city for raising a family, and its park system has been recognized as the country’s 13th best.

Here’s how other DFW cities rank in the SmartAsset study:

Arlington, No. 19. It had 4.8 violent crimes per 1,000, 24.1 property crimes per 1,000, 10.8 traffic deaths per 100,000, and a relatively high disaster risk.
Fort Worth, No. 22. It had 4.6 violent crimes per 1,000, 27 property crimes per 1,000, 10.8 traffic deaths per 100,000, and a relatively high disaster risk.
Irving, No. 32. It had 2.8 violent crimes per 1,000, 22 property crimes per 1,000, 12.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 and a very high disaster risk.
Dallas, No. 73, making it the 11th least safe big city. It had 6.6 violent crimes per 1,000, 33.5 property crimes per 1,000, 12.5 traffic deaths per 100,000, and a very high disaster risk.

Elsewhere in Texas:

Austin landed at No. 26.
San Antonio landed at No. 54
Houston landed at No. 82, putting it at No. 2 among the least safe big cities.

safest smartasset smartasset study safest cities safest suburbs plano

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Safe space

Plano ranks as No. 2 safest big city in the U.S. for 2026