Work is officially underway on the next phase of the Banks project.
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and Hamilton County Commission President Chris Monzel poured the first concrete pillar for expansion west of the Freedom Center.
Monzel calls the project a major economic driver for the region.
"We could yield a return on investment as high as 7-to-1," says Monzel. "To me that's a smart investment. That is a great ROI that will contribute to continue to strengthen our county and our city."
Phase II-A is expected to be complete in Fall 2015. It will have 305 apartments and 21,000 square feet of retail space.
