City Cast Denver logo
May 19, 2023

How Empty Is Downtown? Plus, the Most Mayoral Madness Yet

City Cast Denver

How Empty Is Downtown? Plus, the Most Mayoral Madness Yet

00:00:00
View all City Cast Denver episodes

It’s Friday and we’re talking about all the local stories that caught our eyes this week. First, we talk a lot about downtown. Is it safe? What’s going on down there? Is the Cheesecake Factory still open? But the real question is: What’s going on with all that empty office space? Are we looking at a commercial real estate crisis brewing or a big juicy opportunity? Host Bree Davies is joined by producer Paul Karolyi and returning favorite Jo Ann Allen to hash out the vacancy situation, dish on the mayor’s race, and break down all the other stories that matter. 


Finally, newsletter editor Peyton Garcia joins in to share her picks for the best events this weekend!


Here are the events we discussed:


For even more weekend event recs and local stories that matter, subscribe to our weekday morning newsletter Hey Denver by texting “Denver” to 66866.


Bree mentioned a CBS4 piece on people traveling from all over the country to come to a little restaurant in Colorado called Casa Bonita that isn’t even open yet. 


Even more Mayoral Madness! And don’t miss the mayoral forum Bree is hosting on May 22 with Brough and Johnston. It’s Hot Ones-style, so they’ll be answering progressively tougher questions while eating progressively spicier wings. The event is sold out, but you can RSVP for the watch party or watch the live stream on Facebook. Should be fun! 


Follow our weather guy for all your weekend weather needs: Rain or Shine, it's Andy Stein!


Follow us on Twitter: @citycastdenver

Or Instagram: @citycastdenver

Chat with other listeners on Reddit: r/CityCastDenver


Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (720) 500-5418‬


Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:


Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Denver

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

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

Latest Episodes

See all
June 26

Can Kiros Beat DeGette? Plus, AI ‘Polls,’ Astroturfing Local Politics, and Colfax Wins and Fails

Denver is on the precipice of what could be a historic moment; the city’s 30-year incumbent congresswoman, Diana DeGette, is facing a lat...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 25

‘Quid Pro Quo Corruption’ in the Governor’s Race? Plus, Kiros’ Late Surge and More Primary Madness!

Why did Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michael Bennet just lend his campaign nearly $1 million? And is “former barista” Melat Kiros’s...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 24

Inside Alma Fonda Fina: How Johnny and Kasie Curiel Are Beating the Odds As Many Restaurants Close

After racking up two Michelin stars and opening six restaurants in less than three years, Johnny and Kasie Curiel are the Denver restaura...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 23

Zombies Are Attacking Denver! Where Do You Go? Who Do You Team Up With?

It’s officially summer in the Mile High City, and for many Denverites that means it’s time to high-tail it to the nearest shady spot on t...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 22

Denver State Senate Candidates Beef over Dark Money, Data Centers, and RTD's Budget

While there’s been plenty of coverage of the gubernatorial, congressional, and U.S. Senate primaries, smaller but equally important battl...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 18

New Rules for City Council Lobbyists, Primary Ballot Conspiracies, and Winning Wontons

This week Denver City Council passed new lobbying rules aimed at increasing transparency and tracking who lobbyists work for, how much th...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 17

Why Some Cherry Creek Trail Art Got 'The Landlord Special.' Plus, Downtown's Perception Problem and Our Summer Concert Picks

What makes a piece of public art “legitimate”? Denverite recently profiled artist Tom Dorsa, an appliance repairman by day who also insta...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 16

Why Three Venues Cancelled on The Kiros/Piker Rally, a Conservative's Tour of Downtown, and Juneteenth Expands

Over the weekend, a rally featuring congressional candidate Melat Kiros and leftist political pundit Hasan Piker was booted from three lo...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 15

How to Survive a Denver Summer

The National Weather Service and Climate Prediction Center are forecasting a warm and wet summer this year. So, how do you cope with incr...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art
June 14

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast Denver

Do you know how many parks Denver has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast...

City Cast Denver podcast episode art