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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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
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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
City speeds up Live Music Fund for spring 2023 launch
The city has refined its process for rolling out awards for the $3 million Live Music Fund, with city staff preparing to begin dispersing funds to local musicians next spring. That change shaves roughly three months off the timeline for…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 15, 2022
Affordable housing advocates want voters to decide $300M bond proposal
Community groups concerned with affordability issues in the Austin housing market are pushing City Council to approve language for a bond proposal in November that could raise $300 million to build more homes and fund programs related to housing opportunities.…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 13, 2022
Budget recommendation seeks staffer to address long-awaited veterans affairs needs
City staff members are pushing for City Council to fund a new position in the Office of Civil Rights that would allow the office to handle many needs and responsibilities outlined in years of idled plans for a resource center…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 8, 2022
City formulates $98 million financing plan to cover Colony Park gap
The city is asking Travis County to contribute $30 million to the development costs of the Colony Park planned unit development in Northeast Austin, part of a proposed financing package of $98.8 million needed to complete the project. A city…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 6, 2022
Music Commission wants Council to 'expedite' Live Music Fund activation
The Music Commission plans to push City Council and staff to speed up the deployment of the Live Music Fund, which was approved by City Council in fall 2019 but is not scheduled to be distributed until next July. At…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 30, 2022
Stream reveals details of six possible new Sixth Street music venues
Stream Realty Partners is eyeing the possibility of turning at least six of its properties on East Sixth Street into music venues, including a plan to convert the former Buffalo Billiards space into a daytime food hall with music in the evenings.…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 29, 2022
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City outlines plans for improvements to corridors along 11th and 12th streets
The city has shared some of its initial plans for improving the African American Cultural Heritage District along 11th and 12th streets with place-making, entertainment options and development proposals expected in the coming months. In a memo released last week,…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 29, 2022
Council holds Sixth Street historic district until after summer break
The city will wait until July to consider creating a local historic district along a section of East Sixth Street that has been identified by a Dallas developer as prime for redevelopment. City Council had planned to discuss and take…
Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 27, 2022
Study points to transportation, education needs for disabled community
Preliminary findings from a quality-of-life study for Austin residents with disabilities suggest the city needs to improve transportation options, expand educational opportunities and improve communications with the larger disabled community. Last week, at a combined meeting of the Mayor’s Committee…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 21, 2022
Sixth Street reboot gets first Council OK to raise building heights
In one of the most significant moves to remake the city’s downtown entertainment district along East Sixth Street, a Dallas developer has received the first OK aimed at raising mixed-use buildings up to 140 feet high to the area. Last…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 15, 2022
Shelter leader gets vote of no confidence from commission
The city’s Animal Advisory Commission has passed a vote of no confidence in Don Bland, chief animal services officer and the director of the Austin Animal Center. At Monday’s meeting the commission voted 8-1, with two abstentions, to approve a…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 14, 2022
Hotel industry rebound pinches city's acquisition strategy to solve homelessness
The city may have to shift away from its strategy of converting hotels and motels into temporary and permanent supportive housing sites for the homeless, due to a rebound in the lodging market that has raised prices and cut down…
