Real estate leaders and the city’s top executive see potential in the city’s recent slates of code changes for land use and building, but agreed that implementing those changes effectively will be what determines their success in addressing Austin’s rising cost of living. Earlier this week, the Austin Board of Realtors hosted its annual Central […]
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 inDevelopment
Empire concert venue gets city dollars to buy land, plan expansion
City funds have helped to preserve another live music venue, with the Rally Austin economic development organization announcing Wednesday it had completed a deal to help Empire Control Room & Garage acquire all of the property it has used since opening in 2013 on East Seventh Street. In a post on LinkedIn, the organization noted, […]
Posted inAustin
Downtown panelists look at options for equitable development as area grows
As downtown Austin continues to be transformed by a number of major infrastructure projects as well as real estate development, area stakeholders want to put in safeguards to prevent the city’s core from becoming inaccessible to artists, cultural groups and others at risk of being pushed out by high prices. Achieving more equity in the […]
Posted inCity Hall
Auditor finds PARD employee improperly used rec center for birthday party
A new report from the Office of the City Auditor found that a Parks and Recreation Department employee violated city policy by organizing a birthday party at a recreation center he oversaw without reserving or paying the proper fees to use the facility. The report also found that Mark Vasquez, a PARD recreation program supervisor […]
Posted inPreservation
City taps Rally Austin for funds to buy historic cultural spaces
The city plans to give Rally Austin control over an estimated $11 million designated to purchase historic properties that could enhance tourism and cultural uses. Thursday’s City Council meeting saw passage on consent of a resolution that directs staff to work with the economic development group and other relevant entities to develop a plan for […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
UT looks to promote music throughout campus with Longhorn Live initiative
The University of Texas has announced a number of new projects focused on increasing the profile and impact of music on the school’s campus and further into Austin. The Longhorn Live music initiative looks to highlight existing musicians and programs at the Butler School of Music and beyond, bring more high-profile performers and events to […]
Posted inCity Council
Incentive programs, cultural district framework headed back to Council after postponement
City Council appears set to vote on a trio of Economic Development Department programs that were postponed from the Sept. 12 meeting because of concerns that Council members hadn’t had enough time to review and suggest changes. The delay was due in part to the recent trend of canceling work sessions on the Tuesday prior […]
Posted inCity Council
Watson, Council members refine direction in push to keep Marshalling Yard shelter open
Mayor Kirk Watson and other members of City Council want to give city staff specific directions and benchmarks in their work to keep the Marshalling Yard Emergency Shelter open indefinitely and keep other city shelters from becoming overwhelmed with the number of experiencing homelessness. In a recent posting on the City Council Message Board, Watson […]
Posted inPolice
Police, state ready to intervene on after-hours bars operating downtown
The Austin Police Department may soon take steps to punish downtown bars and nightclubs identified recently as potentially violating state liquor laws by operating and selling drinks after hours. At the latest meeting of the Downtown Commission, talk turned to the findings of a June study from the Pecan Street Owners Association that showed a […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Panelists see progress, problems in Austin’s management of nightlife economy
Entertainment industry leaders see promise in Austin’s recent land use and policy changes that could positively impact the area’s nightlife economy, though they plan to push for further changes to streamline planning and approvals for those businesses. An online panel on Thursday hosted by the Nite Cap Alliance advocacy and trade group featured city entertainment […]
Posted inBudget
Fuentes airs budget concerns over move to keep Marshalling Yard shelter open indefinitely
City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes has signaled her concerns with a resolution scheduled for next week’s meeting that could result in keeping a 300-bed emergency shelter open far longer than it was originally budgeted for. The resolution directs the city manager to find the estimated $9 million it would cost to keep the Marshalling Yard […]
Posted inAustin
Arts Commission weighs sizes of grants to aid underserved groups
Members of the Arts Commission want the city to show how effective new grant programs have been at reaching arts organizations from underserved communities, out of concern that large award amounts for the Thrive grant program may result in too few awards available to include newer recipients. At Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Gina Houston spelled out […]