Downtown Fresno living options grow

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Developers have a specific number of Downtown Fresno residents in mind when it comes to revitalizing the area. Two projects move that number closer.

By the end of the year, people will be able to live next to the building which once housed Fresno's Met Museum. Complexes like The Lede have been designed to get more young working people like Edwin Escalante to live downtown. Escalante said, "The ambiance is changing. It's starting to get nicer. I don't know, just decided to be over here."

Across the way, Brio on Broadway was unveiled this week. Fifty-two units are available at the complex. That brings the number of downtown households closer to 400.

But Granville Homes president Darius Assemi said many more residents are needed to turn downtown around. Assemi explained, "We believe that magical number is about 3,000 households to live downtown. This is part of our commitment to revitalizing Downtown Fresno is by building those residential units that will be home to many singles and couples and young families."

The plot next to Brio was being prepared for a new park to be built by the city of Fresno.

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin said, "If you've ever thought about living in Downtown Fresno now is the time to do it. We have terrific options."

Developers said they'll continue building downtown units as long as people keep moving in.