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
Demography map shows 90,000 new housing units wasn't enough for Austin's growth
A new interactive map released by the Planning Department shows some of the ways Austin’s housing supply has changed dramatically over the course of a decade in which the city has become one of the most popular destinations in the…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 28, 2023
Downtown Commission explores ways to improve safety of autonomous vehicles on city streets
Despite the Cruise autonomous vehicle company’s recent decision to pause service in all cities, including Austin, members of the Downtown Commission have concerns about the growing presence of the vehicles and the city’s inability to regulate them. Staff from the…
Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 27, 2023
City splits homeless services into new, separate office
The city has created a dedicated office for homelessness services, in a move intended to let city staff address that area more quickly and decisively. Interim City Manager Jesús Garza informed City Council of the change in a memo released…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 22, 2023
Disability committee eyes new community census to identify service needs
Local disability advocates appear ready to ask the city to conduct a census or general accounting of the number of local residents with disabilities who may require city services beyond those currently offered locally. Earlier this month, the Mayor’s Committee…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 21, 2023
'Little Luckenbach' could link Sam's Town Point to $270M South Austin entertainment district
The owner of Sam’s Town Point hopes that a forthcoming mix of “rural retail” – including a farmers market and possible hemp cultivation along with live music offerings on the 10 acres surrounding the popular music venue – could link…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 20, 2023
As Austin grows, real estate leaders look at state of city's character, reputation
There were no explicit Old Austin versus New Austin clashes during a recent discussion among local development leaders about the state of the city’s character, but issues such as diversity and equity, opportunities for area youth and struggles to manage…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 17, 2023
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SXSW's $380M economic impact shows return to prepandemic heights
This year’s South by Southwest appears to have had a local economic impact on par with the years prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, which nearly wiped out the popular music, tech and film confab in 2020. An analysis from Greyhill…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 16, 2023
ABOR report highlights striking disparities in housing affordability
A new report from one of the city’s leading real estate groups is bringing fresh, detailed data that shows how unaffordable housing has become for most local residents. Austin Board of Realtors’ “The Truth About Austin’s Missing Housing” uses industry…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 15, 2023
Idle lands: Austin joins cities looking to put real estate assets to best use
By next spring, the city is expected to have a detailed plan for how to turn its underutilized real estate assets into money-producers, in an attempt to add General Fund revenue and counteract state limits on property tax increases. Austin…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 14, 2023
Council approves $15M purchase of the Salvation Army shelter property
The former Salvation Army Downtown Shelter will continue to serve people without homes for years to come, following City Council’s decision to purchase the property for $15 million. The purchase includes the 130-bed shelter on Eighth Street and a retail…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 13, 2023
City prepares to spend first $15M to design caps for I-35 expansion
City Council has given early direction to staff to begin working on the financial planning and models for constructing a series of caps over portions of a reconstructed and lowered Interstate 35. At Tuesday’s work session, Council members heard a…
Roads • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 9, 2023
Music commissioners consider how to steer more grants toward working musicians
The city’s Music Commission may consider a proposal from a local advocacy group to designate a specific portion of grants from a new city grant program to be awarded to working musicians, who are increasingly finding it harder to afford…
