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
- APD won’t enforce SB 14 as Paxton and Trump further attack gender-affirming health care
- Austin Transit Partnership presents pedestrian features, changes to stops in revised Project Connect plan
- Austin’s new CapMetro Rapid lines debut with buses every 20 minutes
- Austin ISD announces hiring freeze as budget deficit grows to $110 million
- Commercial EV station moves forward despite opposition
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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Adjusted density bonus program pushes housing, affordability on commercial properties
Following a December court ruling that invalidated three changes to the city’s Land Development Code, City Council has approved an ordinance change that promotes housing density by using many of the components of the now-obsolete Vertical Mixed Use 2 ordinance.…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 4, 2024
HAAM seeks $500K in next year’s city budget to fund local musicians’ insurance
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is seeking ongoing support from the city and possibly Travis County to cover the costs of subsidized health insurance coverage for more than 2,000 local musicians annually. Tonight’s Music Commission meeting will feature a presentation…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 4, 2024
As Council prepped public support, local Google workers learned of layoffs
Some private-sector workplace drama took place in real time during Thursday’s City Council meeting, with a group of local Google workers learning they’d lost their jobs while commenting on a proposed city resolution intended to support their cause. On the…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 1, 2024
Budget ‘headwinds’ could force tough Council decisions headed into summer
City Council members received an early look at some of the difficult budget decisions they could face this summer thanks to an expected decline in sales tax revenue and the end of federal funding related to the American Rescue Plan…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 29, 2024
Council appears headed for pause on HealthSouth redevelopment plans
Members of City Council suggested Tuesday they’re inclined to hold off on selecting any redevelopment plans for the former HealthSouth site, in part because of the current real estate pipeline in the surrounding area and continued high interest rates that…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 28, 2024
Urban Transportation Commission learns of roles in mobility restructuring
The city’s many mobility-related offices and departments were recently restructured, and the Urban Transportation Commission got an update earlier this month about how the change is expected to impact the many road projects planned across the area. Jim Dale, interim…
Roads • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 27, 2024
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Social services, housing policies seen as national challenges in addressing homelessness
Leaders in the movement to provide housing for homeless people agree there are more resources from the private, philanthropic and public spheres to fund projects, but the challenges of managing many demands and community priorities continue to slow their progress.…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 26, 2024
City nixes $2M McKinsey homelessness study, signaling poor cooperation among partners
City Manager Jesús Garza has canceled a potential $2 million contract with consulting giant McKinsey & Company to perform an analysis of efforts to address homelessness by the city, Travis County, Integral Care and Central Health. Garza released a memo…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 23, 2024
City seeks feedback on density, planning framework for South Central district
The city has released the plan intended to shape the development of the southern shoreline of Lady Bird Lake and beyond, with public input sought until March 20. City Council is expected to consider the South Central Waterfront Combining District…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 22, 2024
Tourism Commission considers how to grow hotel taxes beyond convention business
The Tourism Commission has turned its attention to how tourist attractions throughout the city could work collectively to increase the average hotel stay, which would gradually lead to substantial increases in Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues. At last week’s meeting, the…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 21, 2024
Council votes to aid Blues on the Green, explore more event sponsorships
The city has stepped forward to revive the Blues on the Green concert series held annually in Zilker Park and will look at how to support or possibly co-sponsor other music festivals or cultural events throughout the city in the…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 20, 2024
Tourism Commission proposes easier licensing among short-term rental solutions
The Tourism Commission has given City Council a list of 10 recommendations regarding the growing short-term rental economy. It stops short of pushing for formal agreements with vacation rental websites such as Airbnb and Vrbo. The recommendations, which were created…
