MASON — A top developer of malls nationwide is considering building one in Mason — the latest of more than a half-dozen possible malls and shopping centers planned for Cincinnati's northern suburbs.

        Columbus-based Glimcher Realty Trust has options to buy more than 100 acres near Paramount's Kings Island, Mason City Manager Scot Lahrmer said Thursday.

        “I get the sense that they will probably be moving forward with applications in the next few months and likely break ground in 2003,” Mr. Lahrmer said.

        Glimcher has 97 properties in 24 states, including the newly built Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus. The company also purchased controlling interest in Dayton Mall, a 1.3-million-square-foot enclosed regional mall, earlier this month.

        A company spokeswoman had no comment Thursday on a possible Mason project.

        Mr. Lahrmer, however, said it would be modeled on the 1.5-million-square-foot Polaris facility, which includes a Lord & Taylor, Great Indoors and California Pizza Kitchen.

        “It would be a combination of Kenwood Towne Centre and Rookwood Commons, primarily enclosed but with some outdoor features,” Mr. Lahrmer said.

        The mall would be on the north side of Ohio 741 just west of Interstate 71 — just 13 miles north of Kenwood. Traffic improvements likely would be needed at the interchange, which already serves Kings Island, The Beach and the ATP Tennis Center, Mr. Lahrmer said.

        News of the possible development comes amid upheaval in the regional retail scene. Kenwood, a 1.1 million-square-foot enclosed mall, changed hands this week, and there's been talk of up to seven other new malls and shopping centers coming to Greater Cincinnati:

        In Warren County, a 1.1 million-square-foot enclosed mall is planned at I-75 and Ohio 63 in Monroe, and a 430,000-square-foot open-air center is planned on Mason-Montgomery Road in Deerfield Township.

        In Butler County's West Chester Township, four open-air shopping centers of different sizes and configurations have been announced at Interstate 75 and Union Centre Boulevard; on Tylersville Road; at I-75 and Cincinnati Dayton Road; and at Union Centre and Muhlhauser Road.

        In Hamilton County, a major expansion of Norwood's successful Rookwood Commons is under consideration.

        Observers agree that not all of the planned projects will succeed. Still, Mr. Lahrmer said, several Mason officials visited Polaris on Tuesday, and they were impressed.

E-mails uncover political squabble
E-mails show Luken's and Portune's differences
Report says air in Ohio among worst in nation
W. Chester officials try to shut out adult shops
West Nile find doubles search
Add Mason to list of mall sites
Coalition attacks bill backing charter schools
Labor Day travel looks thinner
Light rail factions squaring off
More time granted for overseer applicants
Obituary: Bud Weast admired for caring and ethics
Oldenburg Academy rich in charm, tradition
Tenants' views not well received by magistrate
Tristate A.M. Report
When to test for West Nile uncertain
Workers drill row after row for posts
BRONSON: Spin cycle
HOWARD: Some Good News
SMITH AMOS: Lincoln Hts. reunion
Airport named for Hogans
Butler Co. parks district wants transfer-fee increase
Clermont water tower is approved
Prison workers fear uprising
Cash-strapped Hagan runs campaign ad on Internet
Congresswoman sought help for husband's firm
Florence Y'all fest lasts all weekend
Insurance scam gets man 5 years
Lucas' fast-track view praised
N.Ky. in high gear after first W. Nile sign
Report: Gas main was left on
Schools tackle bullying
Toss out ice cream from church festival