City In Review: Chicago

Austin · Then vs Now

Austin: 2025-03 vs 2026-03

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

2025-03 2026-03 Change
Building permits 84 91 +8%
Construction value ($) $32,814,335 $5,573,428 -83%
New business licenses 24 22 -8%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 2,810 2,999 +7%
Reported crimes 995 921 -7%
Violent crimes 335 341 +2%
Failed food inspections 13 5 -62%

2025-03

Austin permit value triples to $32.8 million

Austin's permit value jumped 223% to $32.8 million in March, driven by 84 permits (up from 47 in February). More than two-thirds were express permits, suggesting smaller-scale work rather than one megaproject. Service requests climbed 32% to 2,810, led by abandoned vehicle complaints and tree trim requests. Food inspection failures spiked from 4 to 13. Violent crime rose 12% to 335 incidents, part of a broader uptick that saw total crimes reach 995.

2026-03

Austin permit value hits $5.6M, up 172% on bigger projects

Austin pulled 91 permits in March, nearly double February's 46, with total value jumping 172% to $5.6 million. Most were express permits (63), but the dollar figure points to a few sizable jobs in the mix. New business licenses dropped sharply—22 opened versus 57 the month prior—though arrivals included Supermercado Estelita's and Schweet, a shared kitchen user. Service requests climbed 25%, led by 241 abandoned vehicle complaints. Violent crime rose 17% to 341 incidents.

New businesses — 2025-03

  • Gone Again Travel & Tours, Inc. (Limited Business License)
  • V1 Nails (Limited Business License)
  • ROSZIE GOLD ENTERPRISE LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • R&M2 FOOD MART (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CITY AUTO SPA (Limited Business License)
  • PM AUTO SALES (Limited Business License)
  • HALLAGAN OFFICE SUPPLY (Limited Business License)
  • FLORENZA MARBLE & GRANITE (Manufacturing Establishments)
  • Burger King #332 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • MENTOR OF AMERICA HEATING AND COOLING (Regulated Business License)

New businesses — 2026-03

  • SCHWEET (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • SUPERMERCADO ESTELITA'S (Retail Food Establishment)
  • THE GUYS CONVENIENCE (Tobacco)
  • MADISON TOBACCO INC. (Tobacco)
  • P & D (Tobacco)
  • GLORY SUPERMARKET (Retail Food Establishment)
  • BIG RICT'S FOOD&DELI MART (Retail Food Establishment)
  • LOPEZ QUARTZ AND GRANITE CORPORATION (Manufacturing Establishments)
  • H & R BLOCK TAX SERVICES (Limited Business License)
  • UNIVERSAL AWNINGS & SIGNS (Limited Business License)