Ahead of an in-progress comprehensive plan slated for completion later this year, Austin’s Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance (DECA) has secured a commitment from two local banks to loan $1 million to member small businesses. The loans, which will be issued by Business & Community Lenders and Wells Fargo, are tied in part to the […]
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 inCity Council
Council OKs 13 proposed charter amendments for November ballot
Voters will decide on 13 potential amendments to the city charter in November, with two of the most significant potential changes affecting the number of signatures needed to recall a City Council member, and requiring elections for citizen-led ballot initiatives and charter amendments to take place in large even-numbered election years. At Thursday’s meeting, Council […]
Posted inPlanning
With fate of Blocks 16 and 18 decided, focus could turn to 11th and 12th Street corridors
City Council has given the OK for the Urban Renewal Agency to move forward in negotiations with the developer selected last month to lead the redevelopment of the 900 and 1100 blocks of East 11th Street. Known in city planning circles as Blocks 16 and 18, the roughly 2 acres of mostly vacant land will […]
Posted inAustin
Arts group blasts memo blocking city from purchasing historic church space
The nonprofit Austin Creative Alliance has pushed back against a memo from city staff that appears to have derailed an effort by City Council members to preserve a pair of East Austin properties that serve as the group’s headquarters and cultural space. For more than a year, ACA leaders had discussed with city staff and […]
Posted inAustin
Arts Commission gives early OK for city aid to expand Umlauf museum
The Arts Commission wants City Council to give an initial endorsement to an ambitious plan to improve and expand the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, which is managed in partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. At Monday’s meeting, the commission received a presentation on the plan for the 8-acre site, which sits on […]
Posted inWhispers
Van Eenoo honored as one of eight best area CFOs
Austin’s Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo was named one of the top financial minds in the city recently, earning one of eight spots in Austin Business Journal’s annual awards recognizing the best CFOs in the Austin business scene. Van Eenoo was selected in the nonprofit category and highlighted for helping to bring a balanced […]
Posted inTransportation
Council to consider nearly $2B in airport expansion contracts through late September
This week, City Council is expected to consider four items related to the expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, with nearly $2 billion in spending up for approval by the end of September. The four contracts on Thursday’s agenda total $190 million in potential spending, with the largest being up to $120 million for a contract […]
Posted inBudget
Council gives first thoughts on $5.9B draft budget for 2025
The early draft of the city’s 2025 budget weighs in at $5.9 billion, a $400 million increase over the current budget. City Manager T.C. Broadnax said the balanced budget offers increases in city staff compensation and benefits despite lower-than-expected sales tax revenues that in recent months had raised concerns that the city may run a […]
Posted inWhispers
Transit Forward schedules Project Connect session and ‘Choo Choo and Brews’
Transit Forward, the advocacy group in favor of regional mass transit in Austin, has scheduled a quarterly update on Project Connect, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the UA 286 Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall on Airport Boulevard. The lunch gathering will include discussion on the design, construction and operational plans for the area’s […]
Posted inWhispers
Preservation Austin backs landmark status for UT building slated for demolition
Preservation Austin has officially supported the movement to designate the University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work building as a Texas State Antiquities Landmark. The former home of University Junior High, which is significant for its role in desegregation, could be demolished to make way for new practice facilities for the […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin rental market gets more competitive as new supply ticks downward
The Austin rental market continues to shift as more housing units are being completed and residents look for the best deal possible. The real estate technology firm RentCafe’s latest Rental Competitiveness Index found that Austin has increased its housing stock by 1.1 percent over the past year, compared to a 2 percent increase the prior […]
Posted inBudget
Community groups await fate of nearly $80M in budget recommendations
A coalition of more than 40 community groups is hoping the new city manager has found room in the next city budget for nearly $80 million of spending to address homelessness, economic insecurity and an assortment of other progressive causes. The groups – which include Austin Justice Coalition, Sierra Club Austin, VOCAL-TX and Equity Action […]