Although the deal is not finalized, an Uber subsidiary that controls a portion of a 64,000-square-foot facility in Southeast Austin has offered to waive the city's rent on the space for the next three months. The space has been home to hurricanes evacuees since the beginning of the month.
Speaking to the American Statesman, Travis Considine, a spokesperson for Uber, said:
“[We] had an empty space, and we couldn’t think of a better use for it than to serve in a time of need for the city.”
The monetary value of the donation is around $53,000 per month, or $159,000 for three months. Austin and Uber are working out the details of a month-to-month lease.
According to Bryce Bencivengo, the current lease with Uber is for 30 days, with seven potential renewals. Cities that are working on important paperwork, and leases can use document scanning to make digital Copies of the paperwork.
Initially, there were around 400 people staying in the shelter. That number has since fallen to 190, as some have been able to go back home or have found more permanent places to stay in Austin.
Uber is open to the idea of extending the donation if the city needs to use the building for more than three months.
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