Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Bond task force sees timelines, budget constraints for possible elections in 2025 and 2026
The Bond Election Advisory Task Force will have to decide by very early 2025 if the city should move forward with a possible climate change and sustainability bond package next fall, in a process and timeline that would see no…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 20, 2024
Real estate trends point toward stable growth even after Austin loses 'supernova' status
While Austin has moved out of the “supernova” growth phase among real estate markets across the nation, real estate and development professionals expect the Central Texas region to remain a hot spot in 2025 for many types of construction and…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 19, 2024
Arts Commission wants convention center installations preserved ahead of demolition
The Arts Commission wants the city to push the Austin Convention Center to pay for and assist in the removal and preservation of four city-commissioned art installations that are at risk of being destroyed when the facility is torn down…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 18, 2024
Council approves new hotel fee agreement, freeing funds for homelessness services
Next year, the city will begin receiving revenue from a new fee on hotel room stays that will provide an estimated $7 million per year to cover housing or other services needed by those experiencing homelessness. Last week, City Council…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 17, 2024
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Council calls for revisions for proposed MoPac South expansion
City Council is pushing for changes to the proposed MoPac South expansion to make the project fit with the city’s mobility, environmental and sustainability goals. Last week, Council passed a resolution that emphasizes refining the project, overseen by the Central…
Roads • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 16, 2024
Movability white paper offers parking, commuting options to address Mueller congestion
A new white paper from a local transportation management nonprofit calls for widespread changes in parking and transit policies throughout the Mueller development to address ongoing congestion and safety concerns in the mixed-use neighborhood. The paper from Movability, which was…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 11, 2024
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PARD memo eyes expected 2026 bond package to complete new Dougherty Arts Center
The Parks and Recreation Department is looking toward an expected 2026 bond package to obtain the funding needed to complete the new Dougherty Arts Center, which is slated to be built in two phases in the coming years at a…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 10, 2024
City looks to expand budget, recipients for Live Music Fund
The city appears set to increase the number of awards in its Live Music Fund grant program, with specific considerations given to the needs of veteran and emerging artists looking to promote events or create work that could enhance the…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 9, 2024
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Congress Avenue transformation plan gets support from Urban Transportation Commission
The Urban Transportation Commission has voted to support the proposed transformation of most of the downtown portion of Congress Avenue, turning much of the street into a pedestrian- and multimodal-focused corridor and removing almost all vehicular traffic. The recommendation to…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 6, 2024
Council to see requests for Marshalling Yard extension, ECHO's $350M homelessness plan
The Public Health Committee has recommended adopting the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) long-term forecast for addressing homelessness, signaling a commitment to spend an estimated $350 million over the next decade to fill gaps in the city’s homelessness response system.…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 5, 2024
Local housing, child care costs remain high as analysts expect strong economy overall
With analysts expecting the U.S. economy to remain strong in the year ahead, local leaders returned to common concerns – housing costs, child care and wages – as the biggest issues facing the Austin economy headed into 2025. The Austin…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 4, 2024
HEB’s $1M donation to fund two affordable housing projects in East Austin
To aid in the construction of affordable housing in East Austin, HEB has announced a $1 million donation to Austin Habitat for Humanity to help fund two new clusters of affordable homes in East Austin. The grocery giant’s contribution will…
