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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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Music, arts proponents renew push in land use code for creative spaces
Music and creative proponents are renewing a push to change the city land use code to make it easier for live music venues and other creative spaces to open throughout the city. The Music Commission voted unanimously last Monday in…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 9, 2021
Music Commission pushes Council to recommit to $10M aid plan for venues
The Music Commission has asked the city to hold to a May decision to provide another $10 million in federal assistance to Austin music venues, in response to recent recommendations by staff to reduce the next aid package to $4…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 5, 2021
Downtown shootings bring plans to address violent crimes
Just over a month since a mass shooting incident on East Sixth Street killed one person and injured more than a dozen, the state of downtown safety is receiving special attention in a pair of public sessions offering differing views…
Public Safety • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 27, 2021
Panelists tout benefits of growing use of public-private partnerships
With real estate prices rising and land availability becoming more scarce throughout Central Texas, local governments and public institutions are finding more opportunities to consider public-private partnerships as a way to maximize the use of public land. While the Mueller…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 27, 2021
Convention center plans meet resistance from Downtown Commission skeptics
The Downtown Commission will consider asking City Council not to move forward with any new plans to expand the Austin Convention Center, with commission members asking city staff for more information to justify the project. Staffers gave an update on…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 23, 2021
Greystar/HACA proposal recommended for redevelopment of Home Depot site
City staffers have recommended moving forward with a proposal from Greystar Development and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin for the redevelopment of the 19-acre East Austin site best known as the home of a long-closed and decaying…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 22, 2021
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Proposed live music grants could fund hundreds of concerts
The city is seeking feedback in the initial guidelines for the long-planned Live Music Fund, which would provide hundreds of grants of up to $10,000 for independent musicians and promoters to create new concerts and festivals throughout the city. Total…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 19, 2021
City opens $2M grant program to assist creative sector nonprofits
The city has spun up another emergency relief program for arts organizations, with $2 million in federal aid available for nonprofit groups connected to local arts and cultural communities. The Arts & Culture Non-Profit Relief Grant will provide 100 grants…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 15, 2021
City eyes two sites as finalists for homeless encampments
Two pieces of city-owned property have been identified as potential sites for homeless encampments, with an analysis of possible zoning issues preceding the disclosure of where the sites are located. The estimated cost of preparing the sites with the utilities…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 2, 2021
Developers, planners key to housing the city's homeless population
City and nonprofit leaders tasked with helping the city’s growing homeless population see a need for short-term temporary housing and longer-term planning strategies that will make it easier to build homes and provide services for those in need. The ongoing…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 25, 2021
Downtown Commission eyes housing, other details on HealthSouth redevelopment
Members of the Downtown Commission expressed some concern last week that the ongoing negotiations over the redevelopment of the former HealthSouth property downtown could result in a project that doesn’t meet the expectations of City Council or the community as…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 22, 2021
Council OKs new direction on convention center reconstruction
The city will move ahead with another attempt to remake the Austin Convention Center, following the decision in April to abandon a planned westward expansion and reconstruction that would have been completed in two phases. Earlier this month City Council…
