FAYETTEVILLE — In the past year, 25 buildings in and around downtownFayettevillehave been sold with revitalization in mind. In the next few years, redevelopment leaders say they will be able to hang a "no vacancy" sign in Fayetteville's center city.

Fayetteville StateProfessor Susan Franzblau feels right at home in her kitchen. Her new apartment is right in the middle of downtown Fayetteville.

"It's very beautiful," Franzblau says. "It's old. The streets are wide. There are plenty of trees and when I go up on the roof, all I see is sky."

She was attracted to the center city after living in New York. More and more people are finding downtown an attractive place to live and work.

The top floors in about a dozen of the buildings have been turned into apartments. Thirty-five more apartments are under construction.

Five years ago, just 25 percent of the buildings were occupied. Now 85 percent of them are full or moving in that direction.

"The excitement that has been created stems from the pride in our community and being fed up with the negative image and deteriorated center and heart of our community," says Robin Kelly, of theFayetteville Partnership.

Attorneys like the office space because it's close to the courthouse. Many retail projects are also underway, including boutique booths, a new restaurant, and an independent film theatre.

A newBusiness CenterandAirborne Museumare also on the way.