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Stories by Chad Swiatecki

UT hopes to play leading role in Austin’s evolving development scene

At Wednesday’s Urban Land Institute Austin breakfast discussion, interim University of Texas President Jim Davis offered a candid assessment of the university’s evolving role in Austin’s booming development scene. Once regarded as one of the city’s largest builders and employers,…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 27, 2025

Bond task force weighs early decisions on transportation needs for 2026 package

The Bond Election Advisory Task Force got its first look Monday at how the Transportation and Public Works Department is approaching the selection and prioritization of projects for next year’s expected bond package. Task force members had plenty of questions…

Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 26, 2025

Preservationists praise developer for giving Sixth Street historic buildings ‘some love’

As Dallas-based Stream Realty moves forward with efforts to revitalize more than 30 properties it owns along East Sixth Street, the company is evincing a notable shift in strategy: preserving historic buildings instead of replacing most of them with new…

Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 25, 2025

Vision for transforming city core draws scrutiny ahead of likely Council vote

With Downtown Austin poised for overlapping mega-projects over roughly the next decade, City Council’s Mobility Committee took a closer look last week at the draft Austin Core Transportation Plan, which aims to tie all of the projects together. Committee members…

Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 24, 2025

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City pauses $10M in airport art over concerns local creatives were excluded

The city has paused three significant public art contracts intended for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport expansion, in a move that may signal a reconsideration of how prominently the city should promote local artists in major public spaces. Three contract approvals…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 21, 2025

City readies final changes to revised business expansion programs

The Economic Development Department has announced final modifications to its Business Expansion Program, a key component of the city’s Chapter 380 economic development incentives. The updates, approved by City Council in September 2024 under Ordinance 20240926-013, are designed to increase…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 20, 2025

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Resource, funding needs will delay South Shore cultural district until 2027

The South Shore Cultural District remains in limbo as the city prioritizes funding and resources for other cultural districts, pushing any substantial progress on South Shore until at least Fiscal Year 2027. A recent city memo from Anthony Segura, interim…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 19, 2025

City IDs progress, funding needs to carry out area food plan

A pair of recent city memos shows progress and the need for additional funding sources to implement the first comprehensive food plan for the Austin area. The two memos were released last week, outlining nine goals and 61 strategies aimed…

Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 18, 2025

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SXSW shrinks as indie venues contemplate competitiveness

Last week, advocates and leaders in the independent music venue community gathered during South by Southwest to discuss how those thin-margined businesses can improve their chances to stay in business. A few days later, news came out that the festival…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 17, 2025

SXSW panelists examine causes, effects of the city's lack of Black homeowners

A South by Southwest panel discussion earlier this week didn’t gloss over the challenges Black communities in Austin face if they’re not already owners of highly valuable residential real estate. During the panel Advancing Black Homeownership Through Housing Equity, Habitat…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 14, 2025

Icon Homes prepping smaller home printing tech to meet Austin's infill push

Austin-based 3D-printed home manufacturer Icon Homes has plans to use new building technology created specifically to take advantage of the city’s push for smaller infill homes. After speaking at a South by Southwest panel last week focused on the push…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 13, 2025

Housing panelists examine what's worked in Austin, and across Texas

At a South by Southwest panel discussion last week on housing policies in Texas, City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison shared possible new components of the “agrihood” housing-plus-agriculture approach she championed last year. While sharing her views on steps the city…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 12, 2025

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