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Stories by Chad Swiatecki

Council nearly doubles payment to build water system for disannexed project

City Council has agreed to more than double its contribution toward a water infrastructure project that will service a project that recently disannexed from the western city limits. The unanimous approval of an amendment to the cost participation agreement between…

Time away from Council has prepped Tovo for mayoral bid

Having spent nearly two years away from the City Council dais after more than a decade as a Council member, Kathie Tovo said watching as a private citizen as city business has been conducted has given her valuable perspective. From…

Audit finds unpaid fees, lax rental practices at six PARD rec centers

The Office of the City Auditor has found widespread issues within the Austin Parks and Recreation Department related to inconsistent fee charges and collections for facility rentals at some community recreation centers. An audit report released Tuesday revealed that from…

Report looks at Austin Water leaks, losses that could fill 12,000 Olympic pools

Leaks and inefficiencies throughout the local water system cause Austin Water to lose more than 8 billion gallons per year – enough to fill 12,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The loss totals were some of the findings from a recent outside…

OK from Planning Commission sets up Council consideration for creative space incentives

The Planning Commission’s recent support for an incentive program for creative spaces in new developments gave City Council additional direction for how to address affordability for local arts spaces and the workers in those industries. Council is slated to conduct…

Realtors join Broadnax in push to revamp city processes in favor of density

Real estate leaders and the city’s top executive see potential in the city’s recent slates of code changes for land use and building, but agreed that implementing those changes effectively will be what determines their success in addressing Austin’s rising…

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Empire concert venue gets city dollars to buy land, plan expansion

City funds have helped to preserve another live music venue, with the Rally Austin economic development organization announcing Wednesday it had completed a deal to help Empire Control Room & Garage acquire all of the property it has used since…

Downtown panelists look at options for equitable development as area grows

As downtown Austin continues to be transformed by a number of major infrastructure projects as well as real estate development, area stakeholders want to put in safeguards to prevent the city’s core from becoming inaccessible to artists, cultural groups and…

Auditor finds PARD employee improperly used rec center for birthday party

A new report from the Office of the City Auditor found that a Parks and Recreation Department employee violated city policy by organizing a birthday party at a recreation center he oversaw without reserving or paying the proper fees to…

City taps Rally Austin for funds to buy historic cultural spaces

The city plans to give Rally Austin control over an estimated $11 million designated to purchase historic properties that could enhance tourism and cultural uses. Thursday’s City Council meeting saw passage on consent of a resolution that directs staff to…

UT looks to promote music throughout campus with Longhorn Live initiative

The University of Texas has announced a number of new projects focused on increasing the profile and impact of music on the school’s campus and further into Austin. The Longhorn Live music initiative looks to highlight existing musicians and programs…

Incentive programs, cultural district framework headed back to Council after postponement

City Council appears set to vote on a trio of Economic Development Department programs that were postponed from the Sept. 12 meeting because of concerns that Council members hadn’t had enough time to review and suggest changes. The delay was…

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