On University Avenue southeast of campus lies an area of shops, restaurants, bars and empty storefronts - too many empty storefronts.
Ball State University students have made this topic a daily standby, complaining often about the ever-changing venues in the area known as the Village.
Businesses have rotated in and out of the Village buildings as through a revolving door, and students also claim the area needs different kinds of businesses that might be more popular and that would likely be able to stay around for longer.
In an effort to revitalize the few-block area where students head to relax, Myles Ogea, owner and lessor of several Village buildings, will have a round-table discussion at 8 p.m. at The Bird to find out more about what students would like to see.
Ogea, who has a less-than-perfect reputation among students, is now asking for their help and input.
This is both a good business strategy and a way for Ball State students to get what they want out of the Village.
The more students like certain businesses, the more they will thrive.
The forum discussion is intended to be a kind of brainstorming session where students can come talk about their ideas.
Although some students will be out of town at the Miami University vs. Ball State football game, those who are in Muncie should take advantage of this opportunity to voice their ideas.
And they should bring good, practical ideas to the table.
While many students would be happy with a business like a Taco Bell just off campus, bringing in a large franchise would be an unlikely addition to the area. Students might as well save their breath on suggestions like those.
A better bet would be smaller, locally owned businesses. Ogea said ethnic restaurants, hair salons and a hookah bar would be the kinds of venues he could see being successful.
The Village is an area that caters almost exclusively to Ball State students, and Ogea is trying to strengthen the connection between the two. On this track, there could even be potential for a future collaboration between the area businesses and the university's business school.
By attending this discussion and throwing out a couple good ideas, students can potentially change the Village. Even if students will graduate soon, they could still leave behind a community of businesses for future students to enjoy.
Ogea is reaching out to the campus community, and students ought to reach back.
Now is the chance for students to do more than complain to their friends about what they wish the Village was like. If they attend this discussion, they can share their ideas with the people who might actually make a difference.
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