Tesla negotiating lease for first San Antonio site

This building, the former headquarters of San Antonio-based cybersecurity company E-Watch, is being converted into Tesla’s new showroom and service center. This building, the former headquarters of San Antonio-based cybersecurity company E-Watch, is being converted into Tesla’s new showroom and service center. Photo: John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News Photo: John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 41 Caption Close Tesla negotiating lease for first San Antonio site 1 / 41 Back to Gallery

Tesla is getting close to opening its first showroom in San Antonio after struggling to enter the market over the last year and a half.

The Silicon Valley manufacturer of electric vehicles is negotiating a long-term lease for a building at 23011 W. Interstate 10, across from Dominion Country Club, said Maria Luisa Cesar, a spokeswoman for District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg, whose district would include the showroom.

On Thursday, City Council approved a request by the property’s current owner, local tech pioneer David Monroe, to rezone it to allow for motor vehicle sales on the premises.

Last summer, the city Zoning Commission rejected Tesla’s proposal to open a showroom on a site near The Rim out of concern that its electric car batteries could contaminate the Edwards Aquifer. Tesla spokeswoman Alexis Georgeson didn’t respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

For more on this report, visit ExpressNews.com or read the Friday edition of the San Antonio Express-News.

rwebner@express-news.net

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