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
Downtown business report finds problems for daytime demand, music venues
A new report on Austin’s downtown economy finds that there is a persistent weakness in weekday business, and that entertainment businesses concentrated around East Sixth and Red River streets have been slow to recover from effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 15, 2021
Council pushes Music Commission for further review of funds to promote industry growth
City Council has asked the Music Commission to take another look at the proposed guidelines for the new Live Music Fund, with some on the dais questioning whether the program fits the intent of Council action taken two years ago…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 14, 2021
PARD proposes delaying fee change that would double parkland costs for developers
The Parks and Recreation Department will likely ask City Council to delay a scheduled doubling this budget year of the fees developers pay to fund the acquisition and development of parkland around the city. The dramatic increase is the result…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 12, 2021
Cultural trust RFP expected as new EDC considers handling Live Music Fund
The city’s new economic development corporation could issue its first call for development partners next month, with the goal of preserving or creating spaces that can be used by local musicians and arts groups that are increasingly being displaced. At…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 11, 2021
Covid relief for musicians expected by December, with Live Music Fund taking shape
Local musicians impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to receive federal relief funds by December, thanks to alterations to a pair of music funding programs recommended by the Music Commission. As of last month, city staffers had been concerned…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 7, 2021
UT report says Austin could be more welcoming to immigrants
The city’s Equity Office is supporting the findings of a recent report published by University of Texas researchers who found there is work to be done to increase the economic and civic participation of immigrants locally. The report, titled “Advancing…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 6, 2021
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Project Connect panel looks at planning, equity concerns attached to transit system
With the city and county moving forward on the assortment of transit and community development projects included in Project Connect, leaders involved want community members to realize the many other public and private interests that play into the multibillion-dollar effort.…
Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 29, 2021
Report pushes police to improve training, communication with disabled Austinites
A new report based on feedback from residents with disabilities calls on the Austin Police Department to make improvements to its training and practices concerning interactions with residents experiencing mental health issues, hearing loss or other disabilities. The report comes…
Police • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 28, 2021
Arts Commission decides on Covid relief funds, hears concerns on equitable contract funding
The Arts Commission has given City Council its recommendations for how best to use federal Covid-19 relief dollars planned for creative arts organizations before the end of the year, with staff still examining how to restructure hotel tax-funded contracts and…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 27, 2021
Tovo eyes historic preservation funds for undisclosed property negotiations
The grant program that uses Hotel Occupancy Tax money to help improve historic sites could be put on hold for a year so the city could use its funding to purchase historic sites. At City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 24, 2021
Celia Israel opts to exit state seat, explore mayoral run
State Rep. Celia Israel has moved closer to entering the city’s 2022 mayor’s race, forming an exploratory committee for that campaign and opting not to run for reelection for the seat she has held since 2015. Israel announced her move…
Elections • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 23, 2021
Fee changes to Downtown Density Bonus Program delayed until November
City Council and boards and commissions will have to wait until November to see the latest proposal on adjustments to the costs developers will have to pay to avoid adding affordable housing units to downtown development projects. Staff members were…
