About the Author
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.
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Most Popular Stories
- Latest State of Downtown report shows the city core’s businesses and housing are in transition
- Cap Metro to shelve 46 new electric buses for a year after manufacturer bankruptcy
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- Council gives first reading OK to major development on tiny slice of land
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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Music Commission considers how city could better promote local musicians
The Music Commission will likely ask the city to explore a mechanism to better promote performances by local artists, possibly using excess Hotel Occupancy Tax funds or money allocated from the city’s General Fund. At Monday’s meeting, the commission heard…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 7, 2024
Council wants changes to rapid rehousing for homeless ahead of federal aid cutoff
The city will look for ways to improve and possibly restructure assistance programs for those at risk of losing their homes, in anticipation of the end of federal aid used to address homelessness. Last week, City Council approved a resolution…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 6, 2024
City making progress in guidelines for generative AI technology
The city has established basic guidelines for employees regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence technology for city business and documents, though it is still determining its policies regarding vendors and other outside entities’ use of the tools. The efficiencies…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 5, 2024
City examining incentives for arts spaces, child care centers, grocery stores
The city is expected to launch a new incentive program for small businesses such as grocery stores, child care centers and creative spaces that bring needed community benefits to underserved areas. The place-based enhancement program, which is currently going through…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 4, 2024
Audit finds office-to-residential conversions a bad fit for most local real estate
A recent audit by the Office of the City Auditor looking at the possibilities for converting vacant office spaces into housing stock has found the practice known as adaptive reuse is likely a poor fit for office buildings mostly constructed…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 3, 2024
Following HOME approvals, Council calls for affordability programs to aid longtime residents
Lower- and middle-income homeowners are the target population for a resolution approved by City Council on Thursday intended to create the financing needed to build more homes on existing lots. The resolution, which was led by Council Member José Velásquez,…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • May 31, 2024
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Affordability panel looks to city, schools, churches to deliver needed housing
Austin-area housing advocates see major institutions such as the city, local schools and religious organizations as having the most potential for adding affordable housing units throughout the city in the coming years. During a recent panel discussion on the city’s…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • May 30, 2024
As federal funds decrease, Council to consider future funding for homelessness
With the city nearly exhausted of the federal money dedicated to providing housing for people who are homeless, City Council will likely direct staff to adjust and improve processes, in coordination with Travis County, for short-term assistance and long-term housing…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • May 29, 2024
East Austin organizers push for equity/anti-displacement overlay to address affordability
A coalition of community groups representing East Austin is pushing City Council to require new infill residences built on smaller lots in the Eastern Crescent be made affordable for longtime residents at risk of being displaced due to the rising…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • May 28, 2024
Watson eyes city grants for child care providers in tandem with proposed county tax vote
Mayor Kirk Watson voiced support Thursday for a proposed grant program for home-based child care providers throughout the city, as one piece of a countywide effort to address one of the most persistent affordability issues in Austin. Speaking at a…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • May 24, 2024
Council tailors ETOD zoning, affordability requirements to maximize transit use
Included in last week’s slate of land use changes approved by City Council were adjustments to the density bonus incentives and other guidelines covering equitable transit-oriented developments intended to maximize usage of transit corridors throughout the city. Following the prior…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • May 23, 2024
Transit, housing initiatives highlight accessibility concerns for disabled community
Advocates for disabled people in Austin want to ensure upcoming major changes to the local transportation network and housing market don’t exclude those with physical, visual or hearing impairments. A discussion on Tuesday at the Austin office of the advocacy…
