A new report from one of the city’s leading real estate groups is bringing fresh, detailed data that shows how unaffordable housing has become for most local residents. Austin Board of Realtors’ “The Truth About Austin’s Missing Housing” uses industry sales data to examine the overall state of housing affordability among different earning levels and […]
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
$1M raised for The Other Ones
The Other Ones Foundation was the beneficiary of a weekend concert fundraiser that brought more than $1 million to the nonprofit that provides aid and job opportunities to those experiencing homelessness. The Been There 2 event took place Nov. 11 at the Esperanza Community, where the foundation manages shelter services for homeless people. The event […]
Posted inWhispers
City distributes $7M in art grants
The Economic Development Department has distributed nearly $7 million in 2023 through three arts grant programs. A total of 271 grants have been administered to organizations and individual artists via the Arts Education Relief Grant program as well as the Elevate and Nexus programs. Elevate sent more than $6.2 million toward 200 arts organizations and […]
Posted inWhispers
Trail conservancy to talk public art
The Trail Conservancy is hosting A Sense of Place, a public art conversation, from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Seaholm Waterfront Intake Building on West Cesar Chavez Street. The event will focus on how art in public places such as business districts, streetscapes, parks and trails can shape and impact the environment. A […]
Posted inAustin
Idle lands: Austin joins cities looking to put real estate assets to best use
By next spring, the city is expected to have a detailed plan for how to turn its underutilized real estate assets into money-producers, in an attempt to add General Fund revenue and counteract state limits on property tax increases. Austin was recently announced as a participant with three other cities – Evanston, Illinois; Mt. Vernon, […]
Posted inWhispers
Seaholm Waterfront project enters phase two
The Trail Conservancy has launched a $15 million capital campaign to pay for the second phase of improvements to the Seaholm Waterfront project. The second phase will include the addition of a cafe, overhead doors, a front porch, lake overlook and public Wi-Fi at the former intake facility. The campaign will also pay for seating areas, […]
Posted inWhispers
Record Convention organizers seek a city boost
Organizers of the Austin Record Convention would like the city to provide some form of financial assistance or partnership to the twice-annual event that has become a major tourist draw for the city. Show manager Nathan Hanners, who took over from his father Doug Hanners in 2016, recently made a presentation to the Music Commission […]
Posted inCity Council
Council approves $15M purchase of the Salvation Army shelter property
The former Salvation Army Downtown Shelter will continue to serve people without homes for years to come, following City Council’s decision to purchase the property for $15 million. The purchase includes the 130-bed shelter on Eighth Street and a retail storefront and parking lot on the 700 block of Red River Street. The purchase removes […]
Posted inRoads
City prepares to spend first $15M to design caps for I-35 expansion
City Council has given early direction to staff to begin working on the financial planning and models for constructing a series of caps over portions of a reconstructed and lowered Interstate 35. At Tuesday’s work session, Council members heard a number of scenarios and timelines for adding caps, which are large plazas that would be […]
Posted inWhispers
Movability wants to know what moves you
The transportation management association Movability is seeking participants in its new survey of commuters, specifically their choices for modes of transportation and when they use them to get to work. The nonprofit has enlisted ETC Institute to administer what is expected to be an annual survey regarding travel patterns in Austin. Respondents will also be […]
Posted inWhispers
Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action gets a new home
The nonprofit group Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action has scheduled a series of grand opening events at its new headquarters on Springdale Road near Bolm Road. The group, which helps promote and support BIPOC arts and community organizations, will host a soft opening weekend running Nov. 9-12 featuring an art exhibit opening and live […]
Posted inWhispers
Get e-quainted with EV this weekend
Austin Energy is among the organizers of this weekend’s Electrify Expo at Circuit of the Americas, which will showcase the electric vehicle industry for manufacturers and EV enthusiasts. The industry day kicks off Friday, with activities for the general public on Saturday and Sunday. Participants can see a variety of EV products, including e-bikes, e-scooters, […]