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 permanent home. The recommendation approved unanimously on Monday asks City Council to quickly approve a […]
Chad Swiatecki
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.
Posted inEnvironment
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 released last week from chief sustainability officer Zach Baumer provides an update to Council’s direction […]
Posted inPreservation
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 month from José Roig, director of the Development Services Department, and Richard McHale, director of […]
Posted inHousing
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, Notional Development Partners, which is based in Austin, announced the close of funding for its […]
Posted inPlanning
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 stretches from the southern edge of the Rainey Street District to Waterloo Park on 15th […]
Posted inAustin
Mexic-Arte pushes for state cultural district while museum reconstruction awaits
Leaders from the Mexic-Arte Museum downtown are at work gathering public input and indexing the cultural organizations along Fifth Street that could help to enhance the area that they hope will receive state recognition as a cultural district for the local Mexican American community. The city gave the area from Republic Square to Plaza Saltillo […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Firefighters call for more cadets to address safety, mental health needs
The Austin Firefighters Association is seeking more attention to the safety issues facing its membership, which were discussed in part last week during City Council budget sessions. The AFA had planned to hold a press conference Monday to publicize issues such as increasing injury rates and mental health concerns highlighted by a recent death by […]
Posted inCity Hall
Tourism Commission looks at how city can welcome more major events
The Tourism Commission has indicated it may ask the city to be more hospitable toward major events that can bring large numbers of visitors to the area. Areas they could focus on include the availability of major gathering areas in the downtown core, working to allow more street closures and other possible disruptions to accommodate […]
Posted inBudget
Audit committee wants to keep a close eye on upcoming bond packages
The City Council Audit and Finance Committee wants staff to deliver quarterly updates to all relevant City Council committees on all projects being considered for Austin’s next bond package – mainly related to climate change and the effects of severe weather. At Monday’s meeting, members of the committee said they would prefer a “parallel collaborative […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Council OKs bond money to preserve Museum of Human Achievement arts space
City Council has allocated $5.1 million of bond money to the Rally Austin economic development entity, which is expected to use some of the money to purchase and preserve the Museum of Human Achievement (MoHA) arts space in East Austin. Council approved the transfer of funds last week in a resolution that named MoHA and […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit cites lack of progress on homelessness strategies issued five-plus years ago
A new report from the Office of the City Auditor has found the city is still working toward accomplishing five recommendations to address homelessness that were suggested at least five years ago. The report, which was issued earlier this month, is the latest follow-up on the results of four analyses from 2017 to 2019 that […]
Posted inWhispers
Former redistricting site gets cashed in for Japanese online casino fans
Anyone curious about the city’s most recent effort to redraw City Council district maps is instead likely to get a hard sell for the many wonders of the online casino and gaming industry, aimed specifically at Japanese gamblers. While looking for a Council district map recently, this reporter clicked on a link to the redistrictatx.org website, […]