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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Stories by Chad Swiatecki
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…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 15, 2024
County commissioners approve tax rate election to raise $75M for child care
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to place a tax rate increase on the November ballot that could generate $75 million per year to improve child care services throughout the area. If approved, the money would be used to…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 14, 2024
Animal Services Office turns to outside boarding to address shelter crowding
The Animal Services Office has recently resumed use of third-party boarding facilities to handle space constraints and crowded conditions at Austin Animal Center. A memo published last week from Don Bland, chief animal services officer, gave City Council an update…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 13, 2024
Central Health board questions UT contracts in light of DEI firings
Central Health leaders signaled they may seek to curtail or end contracts with the University of Texas’ Dell Medical School over objections to the university’s firing all staff involved in diversity, equity and inclusion programs in April. At last week’s…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 12, 2024
Central Health board gives first OK to new tax rate, considers future revenue options
Central Health’s Board of Managers is preparing to set a higher tax rate. Its new property tax rate will be almost 10.8 cents per $100 of taxable value, which will translate to an increase of $66 per year for owners…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 9, 2024
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Urban Transportation Commission to seek more action, updates to trails plan
The Urban Transportation Commission has signaled it wants the city to take a more ongoing approach to evaluating how and when to add trail segments that had been long planned but were removed from the 2023 Urban Trails Plan. Commissioners…
Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 8, 2024
Music Commission asks city to find space, assistance for Texas Music Museum
The Music Commission has asked the city to step in quickly to provide storage space for the archives of the Texas Music Museum, with $850,000 sought in the near future to help the nonprofit organization remain viable and secure a…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 7, 2024
City seeking answers from suppliers in move toward low-carbon concrete, landscaping
A handful of city departments are in the research and market studying phase for two environmental initiatives passed by City Council earlier this year, which could lead to substantial changes in how construction projects are planned and budgeted. A memo…
Environment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 6, 2024
City will promote relocation of homes as alternative to demolition
The city has identified a number of ways to increase the relocation and deconstruction of homes as an alternative to demolition that could take place amid the push for more housing on smaller parcels of land. A memo issued last…
Preservation • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 5, 2024
As construction slowdown continues, a new workforce housing project takes shape
While the pipeline for multifamily housing projects has slowed severely since the end of 2023 in Austin, a local developer has announced something of a rarity: a new 110-unit project aimed primarily at workforce and middle-income residents. Earlier this week,…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 2, 2024
City, county taking steps to realize vision for Palm School area
Members of the steering committee charged with shaping the future of the Palm School property downtown expect to begin their work later this month, while a handful of major infrastructure projects are moving forward throughout the larger Palm District that…
