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.
Newsletter Signup
The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.
Most Popular Stories
- Cap Metro to shelve 46 new electric buses for a year after manufacturer bankruptcy
- Mobility Committee hears public concern regarding expansion of MoPac
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues nonprofit that serves homeless in South Austin
- Red River music proponents see city funding as sign of support, progress
- City-owned Austin Studios found to have generated $2.6B in economic impact
-
Discover News By District
Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Supportive housing institute to push 550 new units toward city goal of 1,300
The city’s goal to build its way out of its homelessness crisis will get a boost next year from six local organizations going through training from one of the national leaders in creating supportive housing for the homeless. Last week,…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 19, 2022
Music Commission seeks say in land use around affordability, creative spaces
Members of the Music Commission have set their sights on influencing how the city handles land use specific to affordability, in the hopes that more homes and commercial spaces can be created for local musicians and artists. The commission voted…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 14, 2022
Preservation leaders show concern over delay in Sixth Street historic district
The push to designate the East Sixth Street entertainment district as a city historic district has been postponed, with Council Member Kathie Tovo opting to wait for proposed new designed guidelines for properties that could be reconstructed as part of…
Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 13, 2022
Nearly half of homeless residents exit HEAL program without housing
Despite the city’s work to move those living in homeless encampments into permanent housing, nearly half of all temporary shelter inhabitants exit the system and return to homelessness. One hundred and two people – 48 percent of those moved into shelter…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 12, 2022
Council seeks to incentivize new creative spaces
The city will look for ways to incentivize developers to build creative spaces such as galleries and theaters into new projects in the coming years, building on a decision last month to incentivize new live music venues. At last week’s City…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 8, 2022
Residents helping to shape final details of Home Depot redevelopment
With the city still working to finalize a master development agreement for the redevelopment of the former Home Depot property in the St. Johns neighborhood, residents will have more opportunities beginning this week to weigh in on the final plans…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 7, 2022
Subscribe to our newsletter
Real estate, transit leaders see potential for change in Project Connect plans
As planning and early design work on the Project Connect mass transit plan moves forward, with cost increases mounting due to inflation and scope expansion, a Dallas developer told Austin real estate leaders recently that the city has an opportunity…
Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 1, 2022
Black Fund organizers unveil plans for grants with first $1M raised
A new fund aimed at helping Black-led organizations in Austin has raised its first $1 million, with plans to begin awarding the first block of grants totaling $350,000 early next year. The Black Fund is an effort organized by leaders…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 31, 2022
City moving ahead with five-year food security plan
The Office of Sustainability will soon begin recruiting community members interested in helping to create the city’s first comprehensive food plan, which is intended to address food scarcity and build up the community’s resilience to withstand natural disasters. The plan…
Resources • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 25, 2022
Trash and scooters still clogging Austin creeks, study finds
The city’s attempts to keep garbage out of local creeks are still being stymied by discarded motorized scooters, according to the findings of a roughly six-month analysis of 20 watersheds throughout Austin. A memo released last week presented the findings…
Environment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 23, 2022
Mosaic hub closure brings scrutiny, urgency to city's creative space bonds process
News of the impending closure of the Mosaic Sound Collective creative hub has brought attention to the growing need in the arts community for the city to deliver on its assistance efforts, specifically the $12 million on bond funding voters…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 22, 2022
Stream offers more details on Sixth Street renovation plans
Stream Realty Partners offered up more information this week on its plans to remake a section of the Sixth Street entertainment district, emphasizing daytime business and a move away from the high-volume shot bars and nightclubs that have dominated the…