A year ago Monday, the Investar Group renovated bankers' lofts and converted them into apartments. The apartments are now full with young professionals moving into downtown. But, officials said they still need to bring in business to keep those people living there.

At present, there are about 40 commercial building up for sale or lease downtown. In response, the partnership group is working to fill them. While some of the buildings could use a lot of work, the group is compiling a list of buildings that are in move-in condition for potential buyers.

The group is also making other information available, like where to park, eat, walk and show potential buyers that there are already more than 300 successful businesses downtown. Existing business owners said they don't see new businesses as competition, but instead they see it as more reasons for people to visit them.

Currently, the partnership group said it's focusing on first-floor spaces. Representatives said they think once businesses move into those, there will be a domino effect with people anxious to create more apartments to move in on top.

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