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
- Jesús Garza disputes allegation that he violated city ethics rule
- Mobility Committee hears public concern regarding expansion of MoPac
- Council gives first reading OK to major development on tiny slice of land
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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Hotels adjust proposed new tax, giving city steady funds for homeless services
The city’s major hoteliers have agreed to adjust the terms of a proposed new tax that will provide the city consistent money to fund homelessness services even while tourism drops off during the forthcoming reconstruction of the Austin Convention Center.…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 12, 2023
Are rents falling? Apartment association sees construction, weak demand causing 'negative rent growth'
A combination of softer demand by renters and new multifamily apartment units completing construction has caused some lowering of rents in the Austin market, according to members of the Austin Apartment Association. At a series of panel discussions last week,…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 11, 2023
Life sciences, housing policy seen as keys for Austin's five-year growth strategy
Business leaders see the life sciences sector as the next major piece of the Austin economy and expect it to grow quickly along with semiconductor and automotive manufacturing, financial services and national defense in the years to come. Focusing on…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 8, 2023
Budget shortfall forces Austin Music Foundation to suspend operations
The Austin Music Foundation nonprofit group has suspended activity and laid off its employees in response to a budget shortfall of nearly $200,000 from its planned budget of just over $300,000. At least $85,000 of that shortfall is the result…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 7, 2023
Council delays decision on new hotel tax that could fund homelessness services
City Council has put on hold a long-discussed partnership with local hotels that could generate millions of dollars in General Fund revenue to cover expenses related to services for the homeless. At last week’s meeting, Council voted to delay action…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 6, 2023
City seeking developers interested in East 11th Street revitalization
The city is looking for developers interested in remaking two of the most high-profile blocks downtown, which could shape the future of the Black community in East Austin. Last month the Austin Economic Development Corporation (EDC) opened a request for…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 5, 2023
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Council pushes for tweaks to new hotel tax envisioned to help serve homeless population
A hotel tax mechanism long eyed as a source of funding for homelessness services goes before City Council for possible approval today. It could face considerable scrutiny based on the structure of the deal, which some members see as unfavorable…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 31, 2023
Regulating plan for Austin's South Central Waterfront could be adopted this year
The long-awaited regulating plan to guide development patterns just south of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge could arrive just as a handful of massive new projects in the area move forward for approval. A city memo released last…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 29, 2023
Austin mobility leaders praise land use changes in support of 50-50 transit shift
Transit leaders agree: Shifting half of all local travel away from individual vehicles by 2039 will require an aggressive mix of land use reform and expansion of transit options, including the Austin’s forthcoming light rail line. Exactly how those changes…
Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 29, 2023
Pilot program to give small, local businesses preferences for city contracts
In October, the city will begin a two-year pilot program that will attempt to give preference for some contracting opportunities for small and locally owned businesses. At Wednesday’s meeting of City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee, staff from the city’s…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 25, 2023
Audit finds police department backlog of 20,000 public information requests
The Austin Police Department recently had a backlog of more than 20,000 public information requests, causing some requests to wait for more than a year to receive a response, according to a recent city audit. That audit also found APD…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 24, 2023
Financial justice nonprofit gets boost to expand services
A local financial justice nonprofit group will be able to expand its services in Austin and around the state dramatically with a $250,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The banking giant’s gift will let Financial Health Pathways more than…
