City Cast DC logo
March 1, 2026

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

City Cast DC

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

00:00:00
View all City Cast DC episodes

A lot of cities, including DC, 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 DC

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

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

Latest Episodes

See all
April 10

Dirt Bike Debate, Penn Ave Redo, Goodbye (Maybe?!) to Ovi

DC is starting to feel like an old Dennis the Menace cartoon. Last week, the city was up in arms about teens running wild at Navy Yard. T...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
April 9

The Washington Post's New Food Critic Tells All

Once upon a time, the food critic of the Washington Post was an all-powerful — and totally anonymous — figure in the local restaurant ind...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
April 8

Inside the Architecture of DC's Homes

Have you always wanted to be one of those people who can tell a Georgian D.C. rowhouse from a Federal D.C. rowhouse, or drop the name of...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
April 7

How 56,000 Lost Jobs Could Change DC Forever

The DC area lost 56,000 jobs in 2025, the worst of any major Metro area. But is it as bad as it sounds? Tracy Haddon Low of the Brookings...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
April 6

DC’s Best Hangover Foods

The hangover— it happens to the best of us, it can even happen if you don't drink! So crack open that Pedialyte and settle in, because An...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
April 5

'Your City Could Be Better': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium — Presented By City Cast D.C.

While both D.C. and Denver have a professional Women's Soccer team (go Spirit!), Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a st...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
April 3

Bowser Taking L’s vs. Council, Trump’s Ballroom Blocked, DC’s Best Chefs

The 51st’s Martin Austermuhle is here to talk about the DC Council, Muriel Bowser, and public safety — where the Council keeps handing th...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
April 2

It's About To Get Even Easier To Fire Federal Workers

The Trump Administration is about to reclassify tens of thousands of federal jobs so that it can treat them like patronage appointees. Th...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
April 1

Your Guide to April 2026 in DC

Whether you’re looking to become a baseball fan, escape to a rave on the mall, or just admire all the pretty flowers, the City Cast DC ga...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
March 31

The Sus Park Police Shooting, Zionism Enters the Mayor's Race, Bald Eagle Romance

NBC4’s Mark Segraves is here to talk about the shooting of a police officer that could upend the status quo between local Washington and...

City Cast DC podcast episode art