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
Project Connect update shows early work on schedule for construction
With City Council having recently approved the joint powers agreement that affirms the roles of the city, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Austin Transit Partnership in Project Connect’s completion, last week’s Mobility Committee meeting was focused mostly on updates…
Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 17, 2021
Audit praises city's Covid assistance efforts, with rental payment results mixed
An audit found mixed results in the execution of some of the city’s programs created with federal money to provide assistance with the many impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. A report last week from the Office of the City Auditor…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 15, 2021
Transit jobs, affordability concerns added as priorities for area job training plan
Job training leaders are emphasizing the rising cost of housing in the Austin area as one of the pain points that can be solved through education and rapid placement with major employers in need of workers. Workforce Solutions Capital Area…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 11, 2021
Cultural trust leaders lay out priorities for $16.9M to help arts and music spaces
The city plans to set up a pipeline of creative spaces to invest in and preserve in the coming years using dollars allocated after $16.9 million currently dedicated to that purpose is exhausted. Leaders of the new economic development corporation…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 9, 2021
Music Commission opts to reevaluate Live Music Fund after affirming diversity goals
The Music Commission will gather more community feedback on the guidelines for the city’s $2.3 million Live Music Fund, but agreed Monday that diversity and inclusion will be one of its baseline goals. The commission unanimously approved three resolutions related…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 5, 2021
Approval of Prop B allows for potential land swap between city, Oracle
Voters strongly approved a ballot proposal Tuesday that allows the city to begin the process of trading a small piece of parkland for a much larger parcel, along with receiving other significant financial commitments from technology company Oracle, which recently relocated…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 3, 2021
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Green infrastructure pushed as remedy to stormwater pollution threats
An Austin-based environmental group is pushing City Council to approve a plan to protect area waterways from pollution through changes in building requirements that would promote stormwater retention. On Wednesday, Environment Texas delivered petitions with roughly 1,000 signatures to Council…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 29, 2021
Ingredients for safer Sixth Street include daytime activities, alternate land uses
The city hopes a plan to increase daytime non-drinking activity, promote a variety of land uses and coordinate safety plans with bar owners will lead to a safer atmosphere in the Sixth Street entertainment district. Following a recent report to…
Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 27, 2021
Adler wants Music Commission to be 'more creative' with $2.3M Live Music Fund
Mayor Steve Adler wants the new Live Music Fund that is supported by hotel tax revenues to produce a city-financed music venue, record label or some other business entity to train Austin music professionals in the coming years. In an…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 25, 2021
City sees details of homelessness strategy, with push to raise $115M
City Council learned in detail Thursday how its $210 million in federal aid, bond funds and other allocations will be used to address and possibly end homelessness over the next three years. The presentation by Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 22, 2021
Panelists look at impacts, opportunities brought by Tesla and others
With Austin an increasingly popular relocation choice for major companies and public institutions, the area’s infrastructure, employment dynamics and education systems are in for significant impacts in the coming years. That was the messages panelists had for local real estate…
Local Government • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 21, 2021
Environmental, neighborhood groups call for 'rewilding' Zilker Park
One of the city’s main environmental groups hopes to increase biodiversity and reduce the impact of visitors to Zilker Park by pushing for more natural growth of trees and other plant life in the popular central city park. The Save Our…
