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
- Lost Creek neighborhood sues city over tax efforts
- Density proponents encouraged by HOME six-month progress report
- Most Austin-area drivers will still need a vehicle inspection. Here’s where the rules have changed.
- City and county to invest in historically underserved Northeast Austin area
- Travis County Judge Andy Brown pledges continued focus on health care, passenger rail in 2025
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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Broadnax shares thoughts on hiring Austin's next police chief
The Austin Monitor recently sat down with new Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax to discuss some of the more prominent issues facing city staff and City Council as he gets situated in his job. For the first of four portions…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 24, 2024
Urban Renewal Board makes pick for Council from two redevelopment plans for Blocks 16 and 18
A plan that looks to combine housing, retail, restaurants and assorted cultural facilities has received an important vote of support in the effort to redevelop two signature blocks of East Austin. On Monday, the Urban Renewal Board voted 4-1 to…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 21, 2024
Planning Commission wants housing for older adults on city land near transit lines
The Planning Commission wants City Council to prioritize creating senior and disabled-accessible housing units on city-owned land located near transit corridors, with a priority given to equitable transit-oriented developments, or ETODs, throughout the area. At a meeting last week, the…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 18, 2024
Future of MACC takes shape as expansion work continues
It felt reassuring for Lily Zamarripa-Saenz in April when she was able to tour the grounds of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and see the progress on the $27 million expansion she and other community members had…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 17, 2024
Planning Department announces update of Imagine Austin, due by late 2026
Austin’s Planning Department has announced its plans to update Imagine Austin, the city’s 30-year strategic plan, over the next two-and-a-half years. The department plans to begin six months of community engagement that will end in December and provide the initial…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 14, 2024
Pursuing better business connections, Economic Development Corporation rebrands as Rally Austin
The Austin Economic Development Corporation has rebranded as Rally Austin, in an attempt to better communicate its goals of helping to create and preserve affordable housing and cultural spaces throughout the city. The change, which was announced Wednesday, comes as…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 13, 2024
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Music Commission recommends fine-tuning city incentives for music venues, creative spaces
Members of the Music Commission want the city to explore more ways for a proposed incentive program for small businesses to address some of the specific real estate realities live music venues face throughout the city. Last week’s meeting included…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 12, 2024
City could revive idled homelessness prevention programs with its next budget
The city will likely look at restarting funding for homelessness prevention programs that were largely shelved in recent years in response to receiving federal funding that prioritized rapid rehousing efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week, City Council’s Public Health…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 11, 2024
City exploring private real estate for homeless shelters ahead of Marshalling Yard closure
The city is searching through a variety of private real estate options that could serve as temporary congregate shelter space beginning in March 2025, when the Marshalling Yard facility is slated to close. Last week, City Council’s Public Health Committee…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 10, 2024
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…
