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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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
ATP reports offer community insights ahead of selecting light rail option next week
A trio of reports from Austin Transit Partnership offer some insights into the shape of Project Connect as the local government corporation in charge of the transit initiative prepares to announce its selection next week of the preferred light rail…
Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • May 19, 2023
Disability committee wants improved transportation to Austin's major music venues
Improving transportation for the disabled to the Circuit of the Americas and the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park are two of the early goals for members of the city’s committee for the disabled who may opt to serve on an…
Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • May 18, 2023
Creative Alliance pushes for new city department for cultural affairs
The Austin Creative Alliance has asked the city to create a new department focused on funding and support for the creative economy, and cites changes in how the Economic Development Department handles grant funding for arts groups as the latest…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • May 17, 2023
Tourism Commission seeks answers on stalled hotel tax to fund homeless services
The Tourism Commission wants to take a hard look at the lack of progress on, and new considerations involved in, the long-discussed taxing district that could see large hotels contribute a new tax levy toward costs associated with homelessness. Next…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • May 12, 2023
C3 announces ACL Fest economic impact, with $7.2M donated to parks improvements
In a clear sign of the resilience of outdoor music festivals after the Covid-19 pandemic, data released yesterday show the 2022 edition of Austin City Limits Music Festival produced $447.9 million in economic impact. That number represents a substantial jump…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • May 10, 2023
Erwin Center demolition marks latest change in ever-shifting health care district
Demolition of the Frank Erwin Center arena on the University of Texas campus is expected to begin next month, following approval last week from UT leaders to move ahead with the $25 million teardown of the longtime home for both…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • May 9, 2023
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City to calculate housing gains possible with new building height compatibility rules
City staff members are moving ahead with analyzing how a change to area building height compatibility requirements could disrupt the local housing market. The analysis, which was called for as part of a December resolution by City Council that was…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • May 8, 2023
The Confluence marks next phase for Waterloo Greenway parks system
Wednesday’s groundbreaking of the Confluence – the second phase of the ambitious Waterloo Greenway effort – marks the latest move in the city’s work to revitalize the area around Waller Creek and turn the frequently flooded waterway into a community…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • May 5, 2023
LBJ students eye AEDC's future as deals for city-funded creative spaces proceed
A study of possible growth scenarios for the Austin Economic Development Corporation sees the quasi-public entity as the primary resource for helping to grow local arts organizations while also increasing collaborations between those groups and local developers. A recent report…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • May 4, 2023
Music Commission pushes city to analyze, publish latest music census data
The Music Commission wants the city to look for ways to analyze data from the latest census of the Austin music ecosystem and find a way to publish the raw data from that third-party project on the city’s open data…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • May 3, 2023
City looks to train, grow new developers to target affordable housing
Smaller developers without years of experience in the Austin market are invited to participate in a new city housing program designed with the goal of creating more affordable housing throughout the city. Applications are open for the Austin Small Developer…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • May 2, 2023
Economic Development staff opts to withhold music census data from city data portal
Staffers in the Economic Development Department have declined to publish data from the most recent census of the Austin music ecosystem on the city’s open data portal, despite a request to do so from the Music Commission and the support…