Denver’s Downtown Development Authority is set to buy Denver Pavilions, the open-air shopping mall on 16th Street.

The public authority hopes to pay $37 million for the shopping center, which — like many shopping malls — is plagued by vacant storefronts.

The downtown authority will make a master plan for the Pavilions and bring in an “international retail specialist” to make it a “retail, entertainment and engagement venue,” said Doug Tisdale, chair of the DDA board.

The mall stretches across two city blocks. It’s home to a movie theater, a Lucky Strike bowling alley, 11 shops, and a handful of restaurants and bars — plus a lot of empty storefronts and a giant sign that says “Denver Pavilions.” (There is also a Spirit Halloween at the moment.)

Tisdale compared the mall acquisition proj

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