City Cast Portland logo
March 1, 2026

'Your City Could Be Better': What Portland Needs To Know About Pittsburgh's Plan To Fix Downtown

City Cast Portland

'Your City Could Be Better': What Portland Needs To Know About Pittsburgh's Plan To Fix Downtown

00:00:00
View all City Cast Portland episodes

A lot of cities, including Portland, are trying to figure out how best to revitalize downtown. It's an issue that's especially top of mind for Pittsburgh, who is hosting the NFL Draft in April. To solve the problem of vacant properties and empty storefronts, the city is trying out a new rent abatement program. So, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan Harris about why their downtown emptied out, whether this program will bring new businesses downtown for the long-term, and other revitalization plans that are in the works.

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Portland

Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
September 4

Police Chief Bob Day on ‘Blue Flu’ Accusations, High-Priority Call Response Times, and Needing More Police Officers

City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza is talking with Portland Chief of Police Bob Day about everything from repairing community trust to...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 3

Who’s Fighting the Participatory Budget Initiative? Plus, the PPS Superintendent’s Controversial Raise and Our Mailbag

Today we're talking about the opposition that's gathering against Portland's fall participatory budgeting ballot initiative and the lates...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 2

Where To Eat Vegan Without Ditching Your Meat-Loving Friends

We all know Portland is a vegan food haven with all sorts of vegan-only spots, but what about when friends of all dietary preferences wan...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 1

Your Guide to September 2026 in Portland

Whether you’re picking apples by the gallon, listening to jazz on an extinct volcano, or sipping on a perfect Negroni, September is your...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
August 31

Best Places To Eat in Portland, According to TikTok Star The Korean Mama

A couple of years back, we had a conversation with the always delightful Jane Kim and her son Ed Kim — the duo behind the social handle T...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
August 30

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Is Pittsburgh’s Airport the Gold Standard? — Presented By City Cast Portland

The Portland airport definitely has a lot going for it, but what it doesn’t have is its own electrical grid, like Pittsburgh’s does. For...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
August 28

PPS Could Close Up to 20 Schools, Safer Portland Hires a Trump Lawyer, and Home Forward's Ex-CEO Scandal Deepens

We’re talking about why the state is leading an ethics investigation into the travel spending of Home Forward's previous leader. Plus, th...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
August 27

Why a Third of Portland's Shelter Beds Are Vanishing. Plus, Oregon's Shadiest Sheriff, and a Burlesque Tribute to Dolly Parton

We’re talking about why Portland area leaders are undoing a homeless shelter system they just developed — as well as the surprising and h...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
August 26

A Secretive Push To Privatize Oregon Liquor, City Council Candidate’s Embarrassing Website Mix-up, and Portland’s Pettiest Gripes

Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about why there’s a secretive effort to privatize Oregon liquor sales and what it would mean f...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
August 25

Are Home Kitchens the New Food Carts? Plus, Portland Fire’s New Mascot and the Rise of  Portland’s Tabletop Gaming

We're talking about Portland metro’s growing home-based food scene, from donuts to birria to supper clubs — as well as the rise of Portla...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art