In this day and age, city administrations, sailing across the sea of properties that bring their cities tax revenues, see the lands owned by the old and poor as ships with tattered sails, presals to be taken, so that new buildings may arise and enrich the city coffers. This they call emminent domain.
I've seen that done so many times, Knitting. A brake shop owner here in our area WON his case against the dreaded eminent domaine with the help of Institute for Justice. The city coffers wanted to put in a lovely new mall, like we don't have them everywhere already.
Got excited about your post! A++++ for you, Knitting.