City In Review: Chicago

Austin · Then vs Now

Austin: 2024-10 vs 2025-10

A side-by-side look at how Austin shifted between two periods.

2024-10 2025-10 Change
Building permits 74 87 +18%
Construction value ($) $26,463,377 $3,435,993 -87%
New business licenses 33 47 +42%
Business closings (proxy) 0 1 +1
311 service requests 2,575 2,515 -2%
Reported crimes 1,121 927 -17%
Violent crimes 441 364 -17%
Failed food inspections 15 7 -53%

2024-10

Austin permit value jumps to $26.4 million

Austin's construction permits hit $26.4 million in October, up more than fivefold from September's $5.1 million. The 74 permits issued were mostly routine—46 came through the express program, 17 for renovations. Four new construction permits landed, though the city didn't register any new business licenses or closures for the month. The spike suggests a few big-ticket projects finally got their paperwork stamped.

2025-10

Austin permit count jumps 32% on express volume

Austin logged 87 permits in October, up from 66 the month before. Sixty-three came through the city's express program—quick fixes, mostly. Total construction value dropped sharply to $3.4 million, down from $18.7 million in September. Eleven renovation permits and eight sign permits rounded out the month. No new business licenses were issued.

New businesses — 2024-10

  • CHARLEY'S CHEESESTEAKS & WINGS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • MY AUTO REPAIR CORP. (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • EXTRA SPACE STORAGE (#3865) (Limited Business License)
  • T&K Grill (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SPEEDY CHOICE FOOD MART (Tobacco)
  • OKI SUSHI AND THAI (Retail Food Establishment)
  • LAKESIDE MART (Tobacco)
  • GIFT SHOP LA REINA (Limited Business License)
  • VONLONGMIRE (Regulated Business License)
  • CENTRALS FINER FOODS (Retail Food Establishment)

New businesses — 2025-10

  • JAB ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION, LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • MADISON TOBACCO INC. (Limited Business License)
  • NEW SOUND CAFE LLC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CICERO FOODS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • PS! STUDIOS LLC (Limited Business License)
  • NXX LVL FITNESS LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • CHICAGO SUNNY GYRO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • QUEEN NAILS 9, LTD (Limited Business License)
  • LEVEL UP BEAUTY BAR (Limited Business License)
  • 7 DAYS FOOD MART (Tobacco)