RALEIGH, N.C. — The cost of prime real estate in downtown Raleigh is going through the roof. Some say the soaring prices are pushing lower-income families out. On Thursday, city leaders are meeting with residents to talk about it.

You can see Raleigh's downtown renaissance is taking shape. But with revitalization comes the threat of gentrification -- lower income families being forced out because higher-income families move in.

To downtown resident James Williams, the two trends could shake up the core of downtown.

"The concern is whether the community is going to maintain its historical significance because if not, it will lose all of the black entities in the downtown area," he said.

Families who live just east and south of downtown are also worried about gentrification. Raleigh's planning director is hosting a workshop at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Exploris Museum on E. Hargett Street to help homeowners understand the impact and learn how the city plans to ensure rebirth does not mean replacement.

A panel of experts will be on hand to answer residents' questions about the impact of redevelopment downtown.