As a $6 million plan to revitalize the downtown area of Grove City was unveiled to the public Tuesday evening, several business owners in that same area are wondering what this will mean for their businesses and questioning if it's worth it.

"The idea of it is good. The area does need some re-working. I'm just not sure of the direction they're going. I've heard so many conflicting stories of what they want to do," said Chuck Barnes, the owner of Broad Street Music at 216 S. Broad St. "At least they're not picking out any color scheme."

Rumors have run rampant as Grove City Revitalization Inc. attempts to sell their preliminary three-year plan to the public.

"As long as they're not revitalizing it just to get us out of here, I think it's a good thing," said Mike Kelly, manager of Squirrelly's Skin Art Inc., at 218 S. Broad St. The tattoo parlor has been on Broad Street for more than six years and is supportive of improvements to it. "As long as we don't have to paint our (building) pink with flowers, I think (the revitalization plan) will make it more appealing, getting it looking nice and getting people back here."

Downtown visitors can see plan drawings in several storefronts.

Part of the revitalization's plans include creating 80 additional parking spaces without buying any property or tearing down buildings. The additional spaces would be created by moving back curbs and realigning existing downtown parking.

"The one thing we do need is more parking," said Barnes. "I am for the idea of more parking."

Mark Fredenburg, Sr., owner of Computer Techs at 112 Blair St., agreed. "I think it's something that really needs to be done in the area. The more parking out here will be great for business. I think it will benefit Grove City quite a bit actually. We definitely need it, especially out here on this remote street by the railroad," said the owner of the approximately two-year-old business.

But some business owners are a little skeptical about the whole project.

"It's a very good start," said Melinda Brennan, owner of Heaven Scent Candles at 137 S. Broad St., which is almost 2 years old. "However, my husband wants to investigate past communities that have gone through revitalization to see if business did increase and if property values increased.

"What they had looked great. But it's a lot of money from the private sector, especially the way the economy is," she added, referring to the $1.5 million portion, or 14 percent, of the $6 million revitalization project, that is proposed to come from the private sector.

"What's it going to do to my business when they do start this? I know a lot of people will not shop when construction is going on," said Barnes, making reference to revitalization construction in Slippery Rock. "I know in the long run, it's supposed to be good, yes. But for the smaller stores in Grove City who have only been here a year and a half and are still building our businesses and our core people, it will be rough."

Mrs. Brennan agreed. "I hope the customers will still come. They should talk to the business owners to find out when the slow periods are," she said.

But other business owners in the project area think revitalization is necessary for long-term survival.

"I think it's wonderful. It's very much needed. We've lived here 14 years and seen the decline (in the area). That's what it's all about if you believe in the community. You don't improve anything by sitting back and having a negative attitude," said Dorothy McMillen, co-owner of Snow Goose Inn Bed and Breakfast at 112 E. Main St., which is in the third phase of the project plans.

"I'm excited. It's exciting to see a community built up," said Solid Rock Assembly of God youth pastor Jesse Robinson of 145 S. Broad St., a storefront church in the revitalization area. "People would feel more comfortable when (the downtown) looks cleaner and feels safer when they drop off their kids for (youth meetings) and I want people to send their kids where they feel safe."

New business owner Dan Dennis, who owns GeeksCafe at 243 S. Broad St., is all for it. "I think it's worth it," he said. "It needs to be done. It's dead on the hammer. I really saw it by looking at those (before and after) pictures. They're right, we don't know what we see every day. If Slippery Rock can pull it out, we can do it."