Nearly three years after the city approved funding to upgrade the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, the project remains incomplete. The wait for new theater seating to complete the upgrade has been pushed back to at least summer 2026 amid departmental transitions and procurement delays. The delay extends a yearslong effort to modernize the sizable East […]
Chad Swiatecki
Chad Swiatecki is a 20-year journalist who relocated to Austin from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He has written for Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Daily News, Texas Monthly, Austin American-Statesman and many other regional and national outlets.
Posted inPlanning
Downtown Commission rejects downtown height limits, supports housing funding shift
The Downtown Commission is asking City Council to reject new height limits for downtown towers and, instead, replace the city’s Downtown Density Bonus Program with a funding system tied to future property-tax revenue. Their recommendation, which was approved last week, contrasts with the Planning Commission’s call a day earlier to set a 700-foot cap in […]
Posted inCity Council
Council OKs purchase of site for new homeless navigation center
City Council voted 8–3 on Thursday to purchase a commercial property on South Interstate 35 to serve as the city’s first housing navigation center for people experiencing homelessness, following hours of debate and neighborhood opposition. The votes against the purchase came from Council members Marc Duchen, Zo Qadri, and José Velásquez. The 1.39-acre site at […]
Posted inPlanning
Council looks to serve up more neighborhood coffee shops
Coffee and cafes are on the City Council menu this week. This Thursday’s meeting will include a resolution that directs city staff to study how small hospitality businesses can open in residential neighborhoods more easily. The proposal from District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter asks the city manager to conduct review of existing city codes […]
Posted inCity Hall
Austin’s housing, transportation projects face ongoing federal funding uncertainty
A recent city memo warns that federal programs the city relies on for housing, infrastructure and mobility face new uncertainty, even as some substantial local projects are designed and ready to move forward. A Sept. 23 memo from Government Relations Officer Carrie Rogers details the city’s recent lobbying efforts in Washington D.C. and emphasizes that […]
Posted inDevelopment
Fed rate cut could help city jump start stalled redevelopment projects
City staff expressed optimism on Wednesday that improvements in capital markets could create positive momentum for stalled redevelopment projects on a variety of city parcels. At a briefing to City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee, staff from the Financial Services Department cited the The Federal Reserve System’s recent interest rate cut as a sign that […]
Posted inCity Hall
Data issues cause city to dismiss downtown shelters operator
The city will not renew its contract with Urban Alchemy to manage two key downtown homeless shelters following the discovery of improper data handling by the nonprofit’s staff. The Homeless Strategy Office confirmed the contract will end on Sept. 30 and that another service provider, Endeavors, will assume operations under an emergency contract. According to […]
Posted inCity Council
Council OKs new rules for short-term rentals
City Council voted Thursday to approve a series of regulations for short-term rental properties, taking the next step in advancing changes that were kicked off by a February vote. The resolution, which collected several amendments and had others withdrawn or voted down, was approved 10-0, with Council Member Marc Duchen abstaining. The new ordinance updates […]
Posted inCity Council
Council to vote on stricter licensing, platform rules for short-term rentals
City Council on Thursday will consider the next steps in short-term rental regulations, which were initiated by a February vote. The proposed ordinance would impose new licensing and eligibility standards, add enforcement mechanisms and expand regulatory obligations for platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. If approved, the new rules will take effect in two stages, with […]
Posted inWater
Tapping In: Resource concerns flow at water panel
Rising pressure on local water infrastructure, with prolonged drought, declining inflows and rapid population growth were the focus of a recent Urban Land Institute Austin panel. Speakers called attention to ongoing water policy shortfalls at the state and local levels and warned that continued development could outpace available supply unless legislative and planning reforms are […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
‘Party’ at city hall shorted Council-required payouts to musicians
When Paul Uribe was asked by a local event promoter to perform with his band Mariachi Capital at the Party At The People’s House mini-festival at city hall in late June, he was so taken by the event’s anti-hate crime intent that he discounted the group’s normal rate of $100 per musician, per hour rate […]
Posted inCity Council
Council rejects resolution to target youth homelessness funding
A resolution aimed at prioritizing youth homelessness funding failed at City Council on Thursday following extended debate over budget process and policy flexibility. Staff from the Homeless Strategy Office expressed concern that the proposal, even softened from its original form, could restrict their ability to adjust investments based on the needs shown by real-time data […]