NFL Draft Jobs, a New Rail Trail & Bringing Small Biz to Downtown

What will it take to get a grocery store downtown? Maybe Gov. Josh Shapiro has ideas!! He was in town a week after the arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion touring coffee shops and other pop-up businesses as part of a collection of incentive programs championed by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, which is hoping to fill space in over 60 vacant retail spaces between now and next year’s NFL Draft. Halfway through our Mayoral Mondays series, we’re taking stock of Pittsburgh’s primary election for mayor, including our takeaways so far from talking to the Democratic candidates, plus the latest on our city’s financial position and an anti-Gainey mailer that some call a dog whistle. We’ve also got good news for outdoor lovers: a new pedestrian rail trail over the Allegheny River into Aspinwall and the return of Venture Outdoors’ kayak launch — this time, Downtown near the convention center.  Get more from City Cast Pittsburgh when you become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm. Notes and references from today’s show: Get To Know Pittsburgh Candidate and Mayor Ed Gainey [City Cast Pittsburgh] Get To Know Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidate Corey O'Connor [City Cast Pittsburgh] Gainey, trailing O’Connor in polls, tries to nationalize the race for Pittsburgh mayor [WESA] Pittsburgh community leaders denounce controversial mayoral campaign mailer [WTAE] How Well Do You Know Pittsburgh? Take This Quiz! [City Cast Pittsburgh] Shapiro says he plans to return to Pennsylvania Governor's Residence after firebombing attack [KDKA] Exclusive: Shapiro talks Downtown progress and NFL draft [Axios] Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership: State of Downtown Pittsburgh Q2 [YouTube] 2026 NFL Draft Source Program Application [NFL Draft Suppliers]  Former Brilliant Branch rail line a 'blank canvas' for public trails, economic growth [TribLive] Pittsburgh’s Venture Outdoors to Launch a Downtown Community Kayak Hub [Pittsburgh Magazine] Learn more about the sponsors of this April 25th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Pittsburgh Opera Perrico Gardens Allegheny County Cozy Earth - Use code COZYPITTSBURGH for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.