DANVILLE -- Maria and Damien Malfara sat among a group of Danville residents Monday night listening to suggestions and ideas of what can be done to revitalize the town, eager to get some input since they will soon be new business owners on Mill Street.

"We're starting a brew pub," Maria Malfara said, "and we're interested in seeing how Danville as a whole is growing."

The Bloomsburg residents agreed the Danville Community Design Meeting was a great discussion among the residents for something that has great potential.

"We wanted to share our ideas with other people," said Damien Malfara, "and we wanted to see what improvements Danville is taking as a community. ... There is so much potential for the town, we need more (people) here."

For the past few weeks, 12 Penn State University students have been working with their two professors in analyzing the town and determining what can be done to improve the borough.

Caru Bowns, professor of the landscape architecture class at PSU, said the class helps the community come up with ideas of what to focus on.

"We take ideas from the community," Bowns said, "identify issues and develop a strategic plan."

It was evident the approximate 30 residents in attendance were engaged in the discussion by their well-thought answers.

Many topics addressed included improvement of buildings, enhancing the heart of the town which several residents agreed was Mill Street, revitalize where roads and sidewalks are bad, fix up school neighborhoods and create a more pedestrian friendly area from the high school and community center to the downtown.

Jean Knouse acknowledged in her group revitalizing along the riverbank is another option that the town could do.

"I can't believe there are no luxury condos," she said, "someone is missing a great opportunity."

"I think anyone that has lived in the community a long time and worked here should take the opportunity to plan further," she added after the meeting.

Jim Wilson, executive director of the Danville Main Street Program, said he heard two types of comments throughout the evening: those that have been suggested before, and some he had never heard of.

"It shows fresh thinking," he said. "More and more fresh ideas help develop a plan and get people excited."

This PSU project has also been done in both Sunbury and Selinsgrove in past years.

During the first portion of the project a master plan will be developed, and next semester the students will create a conceptual design.

"We're basically facilitating community discussion," Bowns said. "Tonight, we will take information provided and give an analysis. ... We help fill the gap by getting the community involved and providing the first level of design."

She added the group then provides working drawings that have a design which can then be put out to bid.

A community becomes involved with the project by applying to the Hamer Center for Community Design. Bowns said that Danville was chosen because they were just admitted to the Main Street Program.

The next Danville Community Design Meeting is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Danville Ballroom, located in the municipal building on Mill Street. The public is invited to attend.

"It's like voting," suggested Dave Decoteau of Danville. "It's a chance to change the future of the community. It gives residents the chance to communicate."