An extreme makeover is in the works for the 200 block of South Allen Street, but part of the plans may be delayed by a tenant who refuses to leave one of the buildings that must be torn down.

In addition to the expansion of Schlow Memorial Library, there are plans for a five-story apartment building across from the Municipal Building and a landscaped pedestrian walkway that would connect to Central Parklet behind Memorial Field.

The borough owns a rental house that must be torn down to make room for the walkway. However, its lone tenant refuses to leave, despite an eviction notice, said Terry Williams, borough solicitor.

The resident's lease expired nearly a year ago, and he has not paid rent since that time, Williams said. An appeal of the eviction notice will be heard by the court of common pleas in Bellefonte, but no date has been set, he added.

"At that point, he could be evicted in a matter of days," Williams said.

Ralph Heimer, owner of the other property to be redeveloped, was not available for comment. His architect, Edward Olsen Jr., said the tenants have been told about the plans and will have plenty of time to relocate. The State College Planning Commission gave preliminary approval for Heimer's apartment building on Wednesday. Olsen said if State College Borough Council votes Dec. 1 to allow construction, Heimer could break ground by next spring.

"We're looking at late enough, though, that anyone who is living there can finish out the semester," Olsen said.

Olsen, owner of Olsen Architecture, the firm designing the building, said the 42 apartments would be high-end efficiencies marketed toward graduate students and young professionals. The first floor would hopefully contain a coffee shop or restaurant, he added.

Two rental houses and the storefront situated between the two Verizon buildings on South Allen Street would be replaced by the project.

While Heimer's building should go up without a problem, council member Tom Daubert said the walkway cannot happen unless the borough's property is vacated.

"Until he gets out of there, we can't tear it down," Daubert said.

Planning Director Carl Hess said plans are not final, but the walkway will most likely run alongside the southern-most Verizon building and provide a straight path to Central Parklet from the Municipal Building.

The borough's design would also widen the sidewalk, which would match the red brick on the Municipal Building's plaza, and create an area for green space and outdoor furniture, Hess added.

Heimer will probably start construction on his building before the borough can move forward with the walkway because he is further along with his design, Hess said. However, the look of the two projects will be coordinated, he added.

Council member Elizabeth Goreham said the borough really needs more green space and attractive spots for residents to gather. These projects will fill a void and transform an area that has fallen into disrepair on Allen Street, she added.

"It's going to be more usable to the public, more inviting," Goreham said. "It should be a really charming place."