Despite reassurances from housing officials that residents will be relocated to other units on the property during construction, there is concern about people being forced out.
While there have been numerous public meetings and years of planning, those we spoke with say none of the residents have had a say in this renovation and that worries them.
"It's still that 'we know what's best for you,'" McLemore said. "We need a lawyer. That's what we really, really need -- someone in the legal realm to assist us."
MORE: Marin Co. residents to protest new housing development that will create 'nightmare situation'
Federal housing officials from Washington, D.C., are in Marin City on Wednesday as they prepare for a $266 million renovation project at Golden Gate Village that is scheduled to begin June 1.
ABC7 reached out to the Marin Housing Authority about residents' concerns but did not receive a response.
McLemore, who said she will have lived at Golden Gate Village for 50 years as of next month, voiced concern that the renovation could permanently alter the community. She fears it could lead to what we have seen in other cities.
"Completely gentrifying the community, forcing Black people out of public housing," said Royce McLemore, president of the Golden Gate Village Resident Council.
Golden Gate Village, also known as a former residence of rapper Tupac Shakur, is Marin County's only federal public housing development for families and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The renovation is intended to address longstanding issues, including mold, water pipe problems and rodent infestations.
Guadalupe Beltran, a resident of the complex who says she has caught 33 rats, said she supports repairs but fears being displaced.
"I'm scared that they are getting me out and not bringing me back to my house. I'm scared, I'm telling you," she said.
"We want for them to make sure everything is done fairly. We want to make sure that people have the right to return. People won't be homeless after this place is renovated," said Jae Moses, chairperson of the Golden Gate Village Resident Council.
Architect Ora Anne Hatheway described the housing complex as irreplaceable and expressed concern about how the renovation is being handled.
"My concern is the cutting of corners, trying to push this through really fast," Hatheway said.