With all the recent news of new apartment projects coming to downtown Cincinnati, you could almost forget that there’s another major phase of development ready to launch at the Banks.
Almost.
But Reporter Tom Demeropolis is here this week to remind you and bring you up to speed on what’s going to happen with Phase II of the Banks riverfront project.
As Tom reports, the Banks will break ground later this year on the block just west of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. It will include 300 more apartments and lots of retail space. Check out Tom’s story to see exactly what the Atlanta-based developers are thinking about when it comes to how much retail and what kinds of tenants are expected to sign on. When the project is completed, there will be 1,000 more residents living on Cincinnati’s riverfront.
We’ve written a lot over the last few months about the residential activity that’s happening in the city’s core. Early this week, Tom reported on our website, cincinnatibusinesscourier.com, that one more apartment tower is in the works at Seventh and Broadway. Click here for the full details and see a rendering of the plans from NorthPointe Group and North American Properties.
The happy news that I take away from the Banks project is that developers are talking about having the kinds of retail that these new city residents are going to need. Service retail like dry cleaners, salons, etc. Maybe some boutiques could be mixed in? Some clothing stores, please, developers?
The apartment project planned for Fifth and Race at the site of the Pogue’s Garage will have what downtowners have long cried for: a grocery.
To me, it seems like the chips are finally falling in place for a vibrant, healthy downtown where people want to live.
And that’s good news for all of us.