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
- Lost Creek neighborhood sues city over tax efforts
- Density proponents encouraged by HOME six-month progress report
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- City and county to invest in historically underserved Northeast Austin area
- Travis County Judge Andy Brown pledges continued focus on health care, passenger rail in 2025
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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
Audit finds low pay, telework policy among drags on the city's worker retention rate
A recent audit by the Office of the City Auditor found the city’s efforts to retain employees are falling short, with compensation, career progression and telework policies standing out as problem areas. With a turnover rate that peaked at 11.77…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 30, 2024
Council to see start of contracts for nearly $2.5B to fund airport expansion
City Council will consider a handful of funding items today that collectively would approve almost a half-billion dollars in contracts for the expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The five requests total $497.8 million and represent the next major decisions in…
Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 29, 2024
Noisy neighbors: Council to consider changes in decibel limits for some new construction
At Thursday’s meeting, City Council will consider adjustments to the recent DB90 zoning classification that could result in a significant reduction in the noise levels allowed in residential areas. A scheduled public hearing on the possible ordinance change could also…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 28, 2024
Camp Mabry as a park? Author Lawrence Wright proposes new use for military base
Renowned author and journalist Lawrence Wright has unveiled a vision to turn the Camp Mabry military base in Austin into an urban state park with natural attractions and some development to complement the city’s other major parks spaces. Wright, an…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 28, 2024
Left waiting: Rally Austin pushes for city action on four sites ID'd for redevelopment
Representatives of the economic entity created by City Council to speed up development of city real estate assets in support of affordable housing said they’re being stymied by inaction that’s holding back work on at least four high-profile sites. In…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 26, 2024
Council could OK task force to design bond package focused on climate change
Next week, City Council will consider forming a task force to design the city’s next bond package expected to go before voters by fall 2026. Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool has led on the resolution that calls for the creation…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 23, 2024
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Developers join city in considering climate resiliency as Austin grows
While the city considers its options for dealing with extreme weather and increasing resiliency across the area, the same questions about the role of climate change in large-scale building projects are top of mind for developers and financial leaders active…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 22, 2024
Case study offers early praise for the structure and organization of Project Connect
A new report from an advocacy group in support of mass transit projects across the country has praised Austin’s Project Connect initiative, which is still roughly a decade away from realizing its goal of providing light-rail service through the city.…
Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 21, 2024
Project Connect anti-displacement funding gets close look from Community Development Commission
Members of the Community Development Commission have requested more information from city staff about the decision-making process for spending Project Connect funds intended to preserve or create affordable housing near the mass transit system. Last week, the commission received a…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 20, 2024
Watershed Protection details preparation for Old Lampasas Dam repairs
The Watershed Protection Department appears to ready to move ahead with the start of the Old Lampasas Dam #3 Modernization Project, having completed the diligence called for by City Council this spring. In a memo released Monday, WPD Director Jorge…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 20, 2024
Central Health board considers improvements to reaching target communities
Members of the Central Health Board of Managers turned their attention Wednesday to how well the organization is doing at finding those who need health care and other services in a number of areas throughout East Austin. The discussion came…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 16, 2024
Music Commission wants STR taxes to increase Live Music Fund awards
The Music Commission wants to increase funding for the Live Music Fund from its current $4.5 million total, and could push for hotel taxes from short-term rental sites as a funding source. At last week’s meeting, the commission received an…
