New Downtown Fresno Living Space Quickly Fills

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new apartment complex in Downtown Fresno has quickly drawn residents looking to live closer to work. CityView at Van Ness and Inyo has risen from a once gloomy intersection.

Plenty of smiles were going around now that this $11 million, six year project is complete. The Fresno Housing Authority sought affordable housing for young working professionals.

CEO Preston Prince said, "This really marks I think an opportunity for us to be really public about design matters. We know how to leverage private dollars."

The urban lifestyle has appealed to many younger folks who want to move closer to work.

Jackie Anaya runs Joe's Steakhouse across the street. The eatery will now extend its hours now that so many people have moved in.

Anaya explained, "Ten years ago we never imagined looking across the street and seeing such a beautiful building and not seeing an eyesore and having something that we can be excited and proud to call downtown."

Anaya has also moved into CityView. 42 of the 45 units have already been taken. The complex replaced the old Droge building which for years was held up by iron bars but was finally torn down in 2013.

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin told an audience, "What we're saying is that we're going to bring new life to something that's old and that is precisely what is happening here today. New life in an area of town that has not seen investment."

The project represented one more piece of the downtown revitalization puzzle. Commercial space was also available on the first floor.

Rents ranged from $500 a month for a studio to $725 a month for a two-bedroom apartment.