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Downtown Fayetteville Becoming Popular Place To Live

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FAYETTEVILLE — People in Fayetteville are rediscovering downtown; there is actually a waiting list for people wanting to rent apartments.

With that kind of rental demand, the owner of one building on Hay Street thinks people would be willing to buy, too.

Sisters Anita and Dawn Walker love their downtown apartment. It is huge, has hardwood floors, and a great open feel.

"It gives me a big-city feel in a small town," Anita says.

The Walkers rent, but Dr. Joe Baggett thinks people would be willing to buy. He is turning an 80-year-old building on Hay Street into modern upscale condominiums. A breezeway and plenty of parking are part of the plans.

His market? The young professionals who already work downtown, and people who are looking for that urban feel.

"It's much more economical, you don't have to start a car every day," says Baggett.

The idea of owning an old part of downtown has really taken off in Durham and Raleigh. Members of Fayetteville's Historic Resource Commission have noticed.

In the 1920's the building used to be offices. It has been vacant for about 30 years. Now, 16 units, each on a corner with a view will help transform the building and the way people view downtown.

"The best thing about being here is we are close to everything and we are a part of everything that goes on downtown," says Dawn Walker.

The condominiums will be a variety in sizes, with the smallest at about 900 square feet. The pricetag will start at about $150,000. With the popularity of downtown living, many think they will all be presold. Construction will start in about a month.

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