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
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
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
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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…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 28, 2023
Austin in line for billions in tech, transportation, clean energy funds from feds
The message to local developers and real estate professionals on Wednesday was clear: Austin is in the mix for tens of billions of dollars in federal money that will continue to transform the area and attract newcomers for decades. Panelists…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 27, 2023
Planning Commission delay pushes Council action on Palm District until July
After a series of delays stretching back to November, the Planning Commission is now expected to consider and possibly approve the Palm District Plan at a special called meeting May 30. As a result of the new meeting time, City…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 26, 2023
Austin wants more community benefits from projects on city-owned land
The city is looking at how to improve many of the activities it takes in redeveloping publicly owned properties, with a special eye on increasing community benefits such as affordable housing in projects such as the Austin Convention Center. A…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 24, 2023
Commissions get updates ahead of RFP for blocks 16, 18
The two city-owned blocks expected to become the anchors of the long-discussed African American Cultural Heritage District will likely include 30,000 square feet of creative space, more than 100 residential units, and a combination of restaurants and office space that…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 21, 2023
Long Center moving toward shared services pilot program for arts groups
The Long Center for the Performing Arts is moving ahead with planning for a proposed pilot program that would offer shared services and expected cost savings for small, cash-strapped arts organizations around the city. The pilot program, which is expected…
