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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Discover News By District
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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Mixed-use options considered for future of police HQ site downtown
Planners see a variety of possibilities for the eventual redevelopment of the Austin Police Department headquarters site downtown, with office space, affordable housing, retail, an event space and recording studio among the possible uses. Those were some of the ideas…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 20, 2021
Church leaders praise city, county for committing fed funds toward homelessness
Leaders from 50 religious organizations around Travis County have praised the work of city and county leaders who have dedicated more than $200 million toward ending homelessness in Central Texas. In an online forum on Tuesday, leaders of congregations from…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 17, 2021
Council opts to pursue settlements in police brutality suits, puts limit on legal spending
City Council has chosen to pursue settlements in two lawsuits stemming from protests last summer outside the Austin Police Department headquarters. Council last week unanimously approved two resolutions to cap legal spending on the cases brought by Justin Howell and…
Courts • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 14, 2021
Fuel site for airport expansion put on hold to allow for more community input
The city has stepped in to address the concerns of residents who live close to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and directed city staff to conduct a deeper analysis of the possible effects of a fuel tank farm proposed as part of…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 13, 2021
Council pushing for infrastructure, operational improvements at COTA
The city is preparing to use the coming renewal of Circuit of the Americas’ ability to receive state funding for major events as an opening to assess road and infrastructure improvements around the Southeast Austin facility, along with enhancing youth…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 9, 2021
Rolling Stones concert problems lead to push for disability task force
The much-publicized parking and other logistical problems at last month’s Rolling Stones concert at Circuit of the Americas has pushed local officials to call for the creation of a task force focused on accessibility issues at area concert venues. Bruce …
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 8, 2021
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Council approves creation of civil rights office
The city has created an office to handle civil rights issues tied to existing ordinances covering fair chance hiring, sexual harassment and protections against discrimination. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to create the Office of Civil Rights, with Council Member…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 3, 2021
Cultural trust hopes to build pipeline of future creative space projects
The city’s new economic development corporation expects to begin its investment in a half-dozen venues and creative space projects by late spring, with $16.9 million in play to help combat the displacement of arts-focused businesses and organizations. The money will…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 2, 2021
Safer Sixth Street push includes call to rezone portions of entertainment district
City staffers expect to deliver recommendations early next month for a pilot program intended to make the Sixth Street entertainment district safer by gradually changing the mix of business and cultural activities there. A recent news report revealed some details…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 30, 2021
Austin economy seeing 'growth surge' coming out of pandemic
Driven by strong job growth, in-migration and the ongoing supply of federal stimulus funds, the Austin area is experiencing a “growth surge” that economists expect to continue for the foreseeable future. That was the main message at a recent economic…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 24, 2021
Long Center seeks to act as administrative hub for new creative consortium
Executives with the Long Center for the Performing Arts want the facility to serve as an administrative hub for local arts groups, providing shared services that could lower costs and eventually bring in major corporate donations to benefit member organizations.…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 23, 2021
City starts second phase of homeless housing plan
The city’s push to move at least 200 people out of homeless encampments and into permanent housing began earlier this week, with 15 people living in the Slaughter Creek floodplain in South Austin receiving assistance and temporary housing. The effort…
