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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Fun times in the city

Dallas swings a spot on new list of most fun cities in U.S. for 2024

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Dallas just wants to have fun, according to WalletHub's new ranking of the most fun cities in America in 2024.

The annual report ranked Dallas No. 31 out of 182 U.S. cities.

WalletHub's experts compared each city using 65 metrics to determine their level of "fun." Metrics were split among three main categories: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost.

According to the study's findings, Dallas was 24th nationally in the category for nightlife and parties, and ranked No. 39 in the "entertainment and recreation" category. That may be especially alluring for anyone who wants to explore the city's vast entertainment opportunities (especially during the holiday season), family-friendly recreational activities, top dining destinations, and more. Plus, Dallas is home to entertainment juggernauts like the State Fair of Texas and TopGolf.

Dallas performed poorly in the overall cost category, earning No. 114 out of all 182 cities. However, this category mostly compares flat costs rather than affordability based on local cost of living.

Potential new Dallasites should do their research before deciding to move here, rather than basing their decision on short trips and vacations alone. But we won't blame them for wanting to live in one of the best cities in the world.

"The top cities offer affordable options for year-round fun for their residents, which is good for residents’ wallets and their mental health," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo in the report.

Austin (No. 6) and Houston (No. 9) were the only Texas cities to earn a spot in the top 10 most fun U.S. cities list. Austin moved up one spot from last year, while Houston made a 10-place jump.

Other fun-filled Texas cities that made it in the top 100 are El Paso (No. 53), Fort Worth (No. 55), Plano (No. 78), Arlington (No. 79), and Corpus Christi (No. 99).

The top 10 most fun U.S. cities are:

No. 1 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 2 – Orlando, Florida
No. 3 – Miami, Florida
No. 4 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 5 – New Orleans, Louisiana
No. 6 – Austin, Texas
No. 7 – San Francisco, California
No. 8 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 9 – Houston, Texas
No. 10 – New York City, New York

Cities were evaluated based on the number of attractions per capita, nightlife activities per capita, the average prices for eating at a restaurant or buying a movie ticket, and more. Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, The Trust for Public Land, and the Council for Community and Economic Research, among others.

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