There will soon be another autonomous vehicle company on Austin’s streets. Zoox, a subsidiary of Amazon, announced on Wednesday that it will expand its vehicle testing into Miami and Austin. Austin Business Journal reports the company has had employees driving its mapping cars throughout the city in recent weeks. More advanced testing is coming soon […]
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 inWhispers
Musicians’ group seeks SXSW applicants to discuss fair pay issue
The United Musicians and Allied Workers advocacy group is seeking performers who have at any point applied to participate in the South by Southwest music festival, in hopes of discussing the push for increased compensation for festival artists. The online meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Central time on June 7, with an RSVP […]
Posted inCity Council
Council wants changes to rapid rehousing for homeless ahead of federal aid cutoff
The city will look for ways to improve and possibly restructure assistance programs for those at risk of losing their homes, in anticipation of the end of federal aid used to address homelessness. Last week, City Council approved a resolution following a recommendation from the Public Health Committee and the Housing and Planning Committee to […]
Posted inWhispers
Survey seeks thoughts on e-scooters, and how to regulate them
Got any strong feelings, good or bad, about e-scooters, e-bikes and other micromobility devices? If so, the city would like to hear about it. An online survey is open now to help staff, relevant boards and commissions and City Council learn the public’s thoughts about how to regulate and manage the devices that have become […]
Posted inCity Hall
City making progress in guidelines for generative AI technology
The city has established basic guidelines for employees regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence technology for city business and documents, though it is still determining its policies regarding vendors and other outside entities’ use of the tools. The efficiencies and broadening of skill sets made possible by AI tools could bring changes to the […]
Posted inWhispers
Arts Commission offers ideas for improved hotel tax collection from STRs
The Arts Commission has given City Council a three-part recommendation for how to improve collections of Hotel Occupancy Tax from thousands of unlicensed short-term rental properties operating throughout the city. At last month’s meeting, the commission approved a recommendation that is estimated would net an additional $3 million per year for programs related to live […]
Posted inPlanning
City examining incentives for arts spaces, child care centers, grocery stores
The city is expected to launch a new incentive program for small businesses such as grocery stores, child care centers and creative spaces that bring needed community benefits to underserved areas. The place-based enhancement program, which is currently going through the community feedback process, is a new initiative from the Economic Development Department that is […]
Posted inHousing
Audit finds office-to-residential conversions a bad fit for most local real estate
A recent audit by the Office of the City Auditor looking at the possibilities for converting vacant office spaces into housing stock has found the practice known as adaptive reuse is likely a poor fit for office buildings mostly constructed in the last 10 to 20 years. The audit, which was released in April, queried […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Following HOME approvals, Council calls for affordability programs to aid longtime residents
Lower- and middle-income homeowners are the target population for a resolution approved by City Council on Thursday intended to create the financing needed to build more homes on existing lots. The resolution, which was led by Council Member José Velásquez, was approved on the consent agenda with Council Member Mackenzie Kelly voting against. The item […]
Posted inHousing
Affordability panel looks to city, schools, churches to deliver needed housing
Austin-area housing advocates see major institutions such as the city, local schools and religious organizations as having the most potential for adding affordable housing units throughout the city in the coming years. During a recent panel discussion on the city’s affordability challenges, underutilized tax-free property holdings were seen as one solution to be explored in […]
Posted inCity Council
As federal funds decrease, Council to consider future funding for homelessness
With the city nearly exhausted of the federal money dedicated to providing housing for people who are homeless, City Council will likely direct staff to adjust and improve processes, in coordination with Travis County, for short-term assistance and long-term housing and services. A recent joint meeting of the Public Health and Housing & Planning committees […]
Posted inHousing
East Austin organizers push for equity/anti-displacement overlay to address affordability
A coalition of community groups representing East Austin is pushing City Council to require new infill residences built on smaller lots in the Eastern Crescent be made affordable for longtime residents at risk of being displaced due to the rising cost of living. Prior to Council’s recent passage of the HOME 2 slate of land […]