City In Review: Chicago

Austin · 2026-01

Austin permit value drops 73% despite more projects

Austin pulled 63 permits in January, up from 50 the month before, but their total value fell to $2.7 million from $10 million — a 73% drop. Most of the work fell under the express permit program (39 permits). New businesses included Ealea's Food Market, Forty Acres Fresh Market, and a children's services outfit called We Play 2. Residents filed 2,607 service requests, up 11%, with abandoned vehicles and tree trim topping the list. Violent crime ticked up 8% to 299 incidents. Food inspections flagged seven failures, down from ten.

By the numbers

Building permits63
Declared construction value$2,743,308
New business licenses34
Business closings (proxy)0
311 service requests2607
Reported crimes792
Violent crimes299
Failed food inspections7

New businesses

Top permit types

Top 311 request types

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