When people are forced out of their homes, it's never a good thing. In fact, it's almost universally a bad thing. However, when residents show little interest in what's going to happen to the East Village redevelopment, there isn't much that can be done to fix the situation.

The East Village area, which has been deemed undesirable for living or business since December of last year by the East Lansing City Council, is to receive a major redevelopment if the city has its way.

The proposed area is bounded by Hagadorn Road on the east, Bogue Street on the west, Grand River Avenue on the north and the Red Cedar River on the south. It's an area that includes the Cedar Village apartments and six fraternities, among other buildings. Consequently, many property owners have a stake in what happens.

On Wednesday, property owners with a stake in East Village came to an East Lansing Planning Commission public hearing about the redevelopment. They voiced an opinion of discontent with the plan and the amount of input they've had in it.

The city does have the legal authority to revitalize the area if it deems fit due to the law of eminent domain, which allows local governments to revitalize blighted property. If residents and landowners wish to keep the area as it currently is, the burden is upon them to change the council's mind.

A grassroots campaign, to garner support for the area, needs to be formed.

If the residents that have tried to have their opinion heard have had their comments fall on deaf ears, then perhaps gaining support from both the residents of Cedar Village and East Lansing in general will cause the council to pay attention.

Cedar Village is a wreck and everyone knows it. And the owners of those properties are somewhat to blame for the poor conditions. They might be more convincing to the council if they start by improving what's already there.

And, of course, if all else fails, this is America - sue.