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
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues nonprofit that serves homeless in South Austin
- Mobility Committee hears public concern regarding expansion of MoPac
- City-owned Austin Studios found to have generated $2.6B in economic impact
- Red River music proponents see city funding as sign of support, progress
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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Council to consider equitable funding levels for minority chambers of commerce
The city appears to have struck a bargain with four niche chambers of commerce to more equitably distribute each of their annual funding allocations from the city budget. Discussions have been ongoing for years about how to “normalize” the city’s…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 17, 2022
Commissioners want business, tech funds to support creative sector
The Austin business community, particularly the technology companies flocking to the area, will likely be asked this year to increase their support for a creative sector that is being squeezed by the rising cost of living across the city. Members…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 15, 2022
As Covid numbers improve, city eyes increasing homeless shelter capacity
As Covid-19 infections and other public health indicators related to the pandemic continue to improve locally, City Council members want advocates for the area’s homeless population to look at increasing capacity at shelters around the city. At a recent joint…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 14, 2022
Musicians playing city events could see pay bump to $200 per hour
Musicians performing at events organized by the city could see a pay increase to $200 per hour, the first increase since 2016, when the rate was set at $150 per hour. The Music Commission voted unanimously Monday to recommend the…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 11, 2022
Compensation study for Council staffers could lead to pay increases
City Council members appear ready to pursue increased salaries for their office staff as an answer to the city’s affordability crisis and the current competitive hiring environment that makes it difficult to retain workers. At last week’s work session, Joya…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 10, 2022
City, county leaders stress caution to keep Covid numbers down through SXSW
The city and organizers of the South by Southwest festival have asked attendees of credentialed and free events to have proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid-19 test if they plan on participating in this year’s event. Local leaders…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 8, 2022
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City had data, but not follow-through, to 'fix' Sixth Street in 2014
City leaders had a pair of reports nearly a decade ago that prescribed changes to make the downtown Sixth Street entertainment district safer, yet many of those actions were never implemented despite a 2014 City Council resolution that included several…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 7, 2022
Entertainment permit among actions Council envisions for safer Sixth Street
The city could institute an entertainment permit for nightclubs and other late-night gathering spots downtown as part of its plans to curb violence in the Sixth Street entertainment district. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to move forward with an assortment…
Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 4, 2022
Airbnb makes renewed push to reach STR agreement with City Council
Short-term rental platform Airbnb is pushing City Council to change its long-held stance against working with companies that help STRs to operate and, in the process, take business away from area hotels. A representative from Airbnb spoke to the Arts…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 28, 2022
Audit finds city slow to move on workforce development recommendations
An updated audit has found the city has yet to implement most of the recommendations made five years ago related to improving workforce development programs within the Economic Development Department and Austin Public Health. The 2022 audit, which was discussed…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 25, 2022
Industry expert pokes holes in city’s convention center expansion plan
A presentation to the Downtown Commission last week largely refuted the need to expand the Austin Convention Center. Commissioners will revisit the issue at their March meeting. The proposed expansion has been an issue for the commission since last fall…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 24, 2022
Convention center's closure for expansion could trigger bond default
The city may not move forward with the next steps in the Austin Convention Center expansion until an agreement is reached with current holders to rework some terms of roughly $163 million in hotel bonds. A memo discussed at Monday’s…
