Some say residential living space is key to Downtown's revitilization

TULSA - "Eat and drink all you want to, walk home and you don't get a DWI, that's urban living."

Jim Hawkins is talking about the growing trend of building residential homes downtown. His newest project is the lofts at 119 Downtown located at 6th and Cincinnati.

Hawkins says the idea was brought about by the success of the Philtower Lofts, but he wanted to put something on the market that people can buy. About three units have already been sold, and there's a long waiting list to see the model when its complete in September.

Hawkins says with having things like restaurants and retail right outside your door, urban living is the way of the future.

"The concept behind urban living is that you walk to these things and not drive 15 to 20 minutes so you reduce your carbon footprint."

Hawkings says the more people choose to live downtown, the more businesses will want to move in as well which will revitalize the area.

Libby Auld owns Elote Cafe. She says urban living is great for existing businesses as well.

"Well right now we're just open 5 lunches and 5 dinners and we anticipate by the time the apartments next door finish and the lofts over there, we'll be open 7 days a week lunch and dinner."

Two other residential projects, the Detroit Lofts and the Mayo Building are planning to open their doors within the next several weeks. Another project called the First Street Lofts are also in the works.

"This will get our downtown back, which will get our tax base back, which will get our schools back, which will do a lot of things and it doesn't cost the city a dime," says Hawkins.