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New Tenant Announcements Begin For Banks Phase II

Tana Weingartner
/
WVXU

The first tenant at the newest phase of the Banks is a popular local waffle chain. Taste of Belgium plans to open next year in a street-level space below the new GE office tower.

Dan McCarthy is project executive for Carter, the developer. He says lease negotiations are underway with more possible tenants, primarily restaurants rather than retail.

"With service-based retail, those frontages typically go dark in the evening, and in order to create an entertainment district it needs to be lively and animated and dark store fronts don't necessarily do that. At the same time we have residents and office space here where we have a certain demand that we need to fulfill so it's a very delicate balance."

McCarthy chuckles when asked yet again about a grocery store option.

"We're definitely trying," he says. "A grocery store is so desperately needed in Cincinnati and we certainly would love to house (one) at the Banks."

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.