The Rev. Harold McKenzie is worried about losing the building that houses his church.

"One day we can get a notice that says, 'We are going to do something with this property,' " McKenzie said.

At the State College Borough Planning Commission meeting last Wednesday, McKenzie expressed concern over the borough's plans to revamp the area known as the Urban Village -- where McKenzie's church, Unity Church of Jesus Christ, 140 N. Gill St., is located.

McKenzie asked the commission whether the borough was actually interested in input from members of the local community. He was also concerned about whether eminent domain would force his church out of its current location. "Are they serious about asking the opinion of the people who own property in the neighborhood? Are they really going to listen?" he said.

The issue of eminent domain has also come up, and borough Planning Director Carl Hess said it is too early to say if the borough would need to remove certain structures completely from the neighborhood and force people out of their buildings.

The Urban Village revitalization plan is starting to take effect, even though construction has yet to begin. The Planning Commission has released a timetable for the project, which sets the projected completion date at Dec. 18.

The plan calls for neighborhood workshops with property owners, residents, business owners and other parties, and the establishment of a redevelopment authority to assist with the project.

One of the stages of the plan includes working with Penn State to identify and design connections from the area to West Campus.

Planning Commission member Ron Madrid said they would need to talk with Penn State to make the Urban Village revitalization work.

"Dialogue with the university is crucial to this process," Madrid said.

Some local business owners and those who work in the area of Urban Village have expressed some concern over the borough's plans to revitalize the area. John Simbeck, owner of Gemini Enterprises, 601 W. College Ave., which is located in the Urban Village neighborhood, said he has been frustrated with the lack of information he has received regarding the revitalization plan.

Simbeck said he has tried to remain involved in the developments of Urban Village, but he has some reservations regarding how information concerning the project has been shared thus far.

"We came out of 15 years of rezoning of the neighborhood, and that has driven businesses away, and now they want to revitalize the area and put permanent housing there," Simbeck said. "We need to remember that not all students are rich; we need that low-cost housing in that area for students."

Hess said the Planning Commission and borough intend to work with residents of the area, as well as business owners, when making decisions regarding the future of the area.

"We will retain a consultant to facilitate this. There will be a role for everyone -- we want everyone to be involved," he added.

Borough Council President Cathy Dauler said that the use of eminent domain was not something the borough intended to use in this project, but the project is still in its preliminary stages.

Dauler also said eminent domain can be used only if a municipality can justify that taking a structure is for the public good. "We are just beginning to talk about a planning process; property owners will be involved in the process," Dauler said. "If it does happen, procedures are in place so that people get a fair price for their property."