Shield Ranch and the city have agreed to the creation of a 202-acre conservation easement in southwest Travis County and northern Hays County, as part of voter-approved open space protection efforts included in the 2018 bond election. A portion of the appraised value of the easement was purchased using funds from the Water Quality Protection […]
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 inCity Council
Council approves call for better coordination, planning among downtown projects
The city hopes to bring coordination to the many high-profile projects taking over downtown Austin in the coming years, with the city manager charged with determining the budgetary and planning resources needed throughout the district. On Thursday, City Council approved the Downtown Austin Strategic Initiative, a comprehensive plan aimed at coordinating strategies targeting mobility, infrastructure, […]
Posted inWhispers
Former church site offers mix of affordable, permanent supportive housing in SE Austin
The Housing Department recently celebrated the opening of Parker Lane Apartments, a new affordable housing community in Southeast Austin’s District 3. The development, managed by the nonprofit organization Foundation Communities, offers 135 units designed to support individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The unit mix includes 25 one-bedroom, 68 two-bedroom and 42 […]
Posted inWhispers
Workforce Solutions seeks feedback for hiring plan, IT workers for job fair
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is seeking community input on its Hire Local Plan, an initiative aimed at enhancing workforce development in the Austin metro area. The plan focuses on increasing skilled local talent, improving income for residents and expanding payrolls for local businesses. To achieve these objectives, WFSCA has outlined four key strategies: awareness and […]
Posted inWhispers
Texas Metro Blueprint highlights Austin’s needs, priorities for state legislators
The latest edition of the Texas Metropolitan Blueprint, led by UT Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, outlines a five-year plan addressing urban challenges in Texas, with a strong focus on Austin. The Blueprint highlights the city’s recent policy changes to boost housing affordability, including lot size reforms and the elimination of mandatory parking requirements. […]
Posted inWhispers
Chamber announces details of Infrastructure Summit
The Austin Chamber of Commerce is set to host its annual Infrastructure Summit on April 8 at the Hilton Austin. This event offers business and community leaders opportunities to gain insights into the evolving sectors of transportation, transit, water, energy and more within the Austin region. The just-completed programming schedule includes the following topics: • […]
Posted inAustin
Panelists explore AI’s growing role in Austin’s economy and policy space
With artificial intelligence quickly penetrating more facets of public and private life every day, policymakers and technology observers in Austin want the city to take advantage of the opportunities presented by AI while also safeguarding against the potential threats from its misuse. Those were the broad outlines of a pair of panel discussions held Tuesday […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin among strongest markets in affordable housing production
Austin has become a leader in affordable housing construction in Texas, with 2,717 fully affordable housing units currently under construction – the most of any metro in the state and among the highest in the country, according to a new report from real estate technology company Yardi Matrix. The city is also expected to deliver […]
Posted inHousing
Council vote could help secure tax credits for seven projects with affordable units
On Thursday, City Council will consider resolutions of support for seven affordable housing developments seeking funding through the state’s 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. If approved, items 16-22 on the agenda will be included in developers’ applications to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, which oversees the competitive program that […]
Posted inTransportation
Disability committee questions scooter safety amid improvements by Lime
Ongoing concerns over the safety of electric scooters and the issues they pose to Austin’s disabled community were front and center at a recent meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities. The meeting saw a presentation from e-scooter company Lime, which gave an update on its initiatives to ensure compliance with Americans With […]
Posted inWhispers
YMCA to operate new Dove Springs early education center opening in March
The city has chosen the Greater Austin YMCA to run an early education center at the Dove Springs Public Health Facility, which opened in November. The new 10,000-square-foot facility, funded by a 2018 bond proposal, will provide affordable child care for working families in Southeast Austin. The YMCA Tomorrow Academy will serve children from six […]
Posted inHousing
City considers new STR rules requiring oversight from platforms
The city’s proposed overhaul of regulations for short-term rental properties could tighten licensing requirements, impose new restrictions on ownership, and shift enforcement responsibilities onto rental platforms. Members of City Council and the Planning Commission got a detailed look at the possible changes last week during a joint meeting that served as the first public hearing […]