SpaceX launch site transformation into urban city approved by Texas voters, as per Elon Musk's plans.
In a Victory for Elon Musk, Starbase Becomes a Reality
Get ready for a new start in Texas! On Saturday, voters approved the incorporation of a city around SpaceX's rocket testing facility, baptizing it as the City of Starbase. With a landslide vote of 212 "for" and a mere 6 "against", the residents gave the green light for this new venture.
Musk took to X to express his excitement, simply stating "S T A R B A S E." Despite the small celebration, Starbase had a pretty quiet night - no fireworks, no street parties. The Astropub, the usual gathering spot for SpaceX employees, was where the action was, with folks hanging out late into the evening.
Only 283 people were eligible to cast their vote, most of whom either worked for SpaceX or had already shown support. In fact, all three unopposed candidates for the new city government have ties to SpaceX. It's unknown if Musk, who resides there, participated in the vote.
This move gives Musk more control over the nearby public beach, which is crucial for launches. Protesters gathered on the beach on Saturday, rallying against SpaceX for allegedly ignoring the cultural importance of the land and harming sensitive habitats. "These hills here are sacred to us," said Juan Mancias, chair of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas.
Creating a city in Texas isn't unheard of, but Musk may be the first entrepreneur to do so primarily for his employees. He's also hinted at founding another city at his corporate compound outside Austin.
The special polling place on the SpaceX campus was bustling with voters wearing Starbase and SpaceX merchandise on Saturday morning. While most declined to comment on the election, a man leaving the polling station shared his support for the new city, believing it to be a benefit for everyone although many may not understand why.
Starbase is located about 20 miles outside Brownsville and has been under development since the late 2010s. The main building is adjacent to an old beach village, with the company owning most of the houses. The new city will have around 500 residents.
Leaders stated that incorporation will help the area grow and provide greater control over functions like roads and utilities. It's also possible that they could adopt more lenient zoning ordinances, allowing them to build more homes on the lots they already own.
As a governmental entity, Starbase will be subject to state laws for open meetings and public record release, potentially forcing SpaceX to be more transparent. This isn't strange territory for SpaceX, though. The company operates three other facilities in Texas and a launch site in Florida with varying levels of oversight.
Starship, the rocket intended to take humans to Mars, launches from Starbase. The vote may lead to more control over the beach nearby, which must be closed for launches. It's currently unclear how this will affect public access to the beach.
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- The incorporation of Starbase represents a significant shift in the community, as it places more policy-and-legislation control under the management of Elon Musk and SpaceX.
- The creation of Starbase, a city built primarily for SpaceX employees, signals a novel approach in the realm of entrepreneurship, as Musk hints at establishing another city in Texas.
- The move for governmental autonomy allows Starbase to exert influence over its immediate environment, potentially leading to changes in zoning ordinances and the growth of utilities.
- While Starbase seeks greater control over its local affairs, the new city will be held accountable under state laws, potentially forcing SpaceX to be more transparent in their operations, which aligns with public-record practices in other Texas facilities.
