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.
Newsletter Signup
The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.
Most Popular Stories
- From Round Rock’s school board to City Hall, District 6 newcomer Krista Laine gives conservatives a run for their money
- In 2025, Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard eyes building more supportive housing and strengthening climate resilience
- Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea urges local climate resilience initiatives to combat coming federal turn
- Travis County Judge Andy Brown pledges continued focus on health care, passenger rail in 2025
- Mike Siegel plans to balance ‘big goals and broad ambitions’ with pragmatism during his first year on Council
-
Discover News By District
Popular Whispers
Sorry. No data so far.
Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Council approves incentives for NXP Semiconductors' $290M planned investment
The city has agreed to its first major economic incentive package in six years, with just over $1 million for a variety of uses headed toward tech manufacturer NXP Semiconductors N.V. That package will allow NXP, which has two major…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 22, 2023
Council weighs affordable housing goals as it restarts HealthSouth redevelopment process
Members of City Council want the city to reexamine how much affordable and market-rate housing could be generated downtown based on the redevelopment of the parcels known as the HealthSouth property. Item 101 on the agenda for today’s meeting directs…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 21, 2023
Austin Transit Partnership seeks federal grant funding for light rail
Leaders of the Austin Transit Partnership are expected today to give the OK to petition the federal government for transportation grants needed to cover half the cost of the planned light rail system through downtown Austin. That step, which will…
Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 20, 2023
City could reduce compatibility buffers to 75 feet to encourage new housing
City staff has recommended the city end building compatibility height restrictions at 75 feet from single-family homes that for decades have had a barrier of several hundred feet from tall buildings. That recommendation is one of nine included in a…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 18, 2023
Council approves ordinance change making music venues easier to open
Music venues and some other creative spaces will have an easier time opening in all parts of the city as a result of City Council approving an update to the building code that lowers planning and zoning restrictions on those…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 15, 2023
Vela's call for transparency would require police to release detailed data monthly
Austin Police Department may soon be required to regularly publish comprehensive data on the city’s digital portal in a move to add transparency and address a backlog of thousands of public information requests. City Council is set to consider a…
Police • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 14, 2023
Subscribe to our newsletter
Council hears details of proposed $1M incentive package for NXP Semiconductors
A Dutch semiconductor manufacturer with two factories in Austin has applied to receive the city’s first major economic incentive package since 2017. City Council heard details at Tuesday’s work session about the proposed agreement with NXP Semiconductors N.V., which is…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 13, 2023
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…
