Austin’s Planning Department has announced its plans to update Imagine Austin, the city’s 30-year strategic plan, over the next two-and-a-half years. The department plans to begin six months of community engagement that will end in December and provide the initial topic areas of most importance for assessing how the city will look 30 years into […]
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
Pursuing better business connections, Economic Development Corporation rebrands as Rally Austin
The Austin Economic Development Corporation has rebranded as Rally Austin, in an attempt to better communicate its goals of helping to create and preserve affordable housing and cultural spaces throughout the city. The change, which was announced Wednesday, comes as the real estate nonprofit organization is poised to help facilitate some of the most important […]
Posted inWhispers
Red River clubs pitch in for Hot Summer Nights music festival
The Red River Cultural District has announced that 14 music venues and concert spaces have signed on to participate in this year’s Hot Summer Nights three-day music festival. The run of free performances featuring all local artists will take place July 18-20. Participating venues are: • Cheer Up Charlies • Chess Club • Creek & […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Music Commission recommends fine-tuning city incentives for music venues, creative spaces
Members of the Music Commission want the city to explore more ways for a proposed incentive program for small businesses to address some of the specific real estate realities live music venues face throughout the city. Last week’s meeting included a presentation about a new place-based incentives program the Economic Development Department hopes will make […]
Posted inWhispers
Smart Cities conference in Austin seeks panel submissions
The Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, which will take place in Austin in December, is seeking submissions for potential panel discussions. The three-day event at JW Marriott Austin is expected to draw more than 1,200 decision-makers and local leaders from across the country, with a focus on addressing ways to make communities safer, smarter […]
Posted inWhispers
$3,000 grants offered to groups addressing climate change and food access challenges
The city is offering $3,000 grants to individuals and organizations working to positively impact communities around the city facing challenges related to food, climate change and overall resilience. The Food and Climate Equity Grants program builds off of last year’s Food Justice Mini Grants and the Resilience Mini Grants programs, which gave $150,000 to 51 […]
Posted inPublic Health
City could revive idled homelessness prevention programs with its next budget
The city will likely look at restarting funding for homelessness prevention programs that were largely shelved in recent years in response to receiving federal funding that prioritized rapid rehousing efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week, City Council’s Public Health Committee received a presentation from representatives of Best Single Source Plus (BSS+), a coalition of […]
Posted inWhispers
City plans road closures in preparation for Juneteenth parade, festival
Motorists and pedestrians should prepare for road closures in portions of East Austin this Saturday, June 15, to accommodate the Central Texas Juneteenth Parade and Festival. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m., which means roads will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. along the route that runs along East Martin Luther King […]
Posted inHousing
City exploring private real estate for homeless shelters ahead of Marshalling Yard closure
The city is searching through a variety of private real estate options that could serve as temporary congregate shelter space beginning in March 2025, when the Marshalling Yard facility is slated to close. Last week, City Council’s Public Health Committee heard a presentation from the Homeless Strategy Office on the progress in creating a plan […]
Posted inWhispers
Showcase spotlights Green Workforce Accelerator participants
The city’s Green Workforce Accelerator will host a showcase on June 13 at the Central Library to introduce the community to organizations that deploy, train and place residents in green jobs. The free event is sponsored by the city’s Innovation Office, the Office of Sustainability, the Parks and Recreation Department, Austin Resource Recovery and Blue […]
Posted inWhispers
Live Music Fund sees strong interest ahead of June 18 application deadline
As of midweek, the Music and Entertainment Division had received 111 completed applications for the second iteration of the Live Music Fund, with the 397 draft applications suggesting there will be many more applicants ahead of the June 18 closing. City staff gave a progress report on the application process at Monday’s Music Commission meeting, […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Music Commission considers how city could better promote local musicians
The Music Commission will likely ask the city to explore a mechanism to better promote performances by local artists, possibly using excess Hotel Occupancy Tax funds or money allocated from the city’s General Fund. At Monday’s meeting, the commission heard a presentation from Commissioner Scott Strickland and musician Chris Hawkes that focused on possible uses […]