Staff reports

Banks to benefit from $3.5M grant

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority Thursday won a $3.5 million federal grant for the Banks riverfront development and a $1 million federal grant for a mixed-use development in Clifton. The grant for the Banks will be used for a riverfront transportation facility between the Reds' and Bengals' stadiums. The port authority needs $56 million to build parking garages that will serve as the foundation to build the Banks, a development of housing, shops and offices between the stadiums, out of the flood plain. The $1 million grant will be used for a park-and-ride facility, a pedestrian bridge and streetscape improvements near the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Those improvements will be incorporated into a mixed-use development known as Uptown Crossings.

Arbitrators rule against P&G

Georgia-Pacific Corp., maker of Brawny paper towels, has won an arbitration ruling against Procter & Gamble Co., maker of Bounty. An arbitration panel ruled this week that a Bounty television commercial presented a misleading image while comparing the two products. P&G said it would pull the ad. Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific sued Cincinnati-based P&G last fall, and both companies agreed to binding arbitration.

Retailer leaving Tower Place Mall

Franklin Covey will close its location at Tower Place Mall in downtown Cincinnati Feb. 21, company officials said Thursday. The business accessories retailer will join clothier Banana Republic and Essentials for the Body and Soul in announcing their departure from the mall. Godiva Chocolatier pulled out of the mall last year. Williams-Sonoma, a cooking and kitchen supply store, will close in the adjoining Carew Tower Arcade Sunday.