Based on the number of redevelopment and revitalization projects now targeted in around Butler, it appears as if the planets have moved into a rare alignment.

And while it's temping to be skeptical that so much development could be accomplished - with either private or government funding - it is important to realize that any or all of these projects can help but Butler on the road to a more positive future.

The completion of even 50 percent of the projects now on the drawing boards would provide significant benefits to Butler and surrounding communities. And once any major positive development takes hold, momentum could help lock in other proposals.

Between a new Pullman Park and West End revitalization, a possible downtown hotel and event center, the Penn Theater restoration and plans for an ice rink complex in Alameda Park, Butler is witnessing a rare convergence of potential development projects of a scale not seen before.

And like a rare galactic alignment of the planets, this level of interest in investment in Butler might not recur for many years to come. For that reason, officials with the city, the county, the county and city redevelopment authorities, the city parking authority and various other agencies ought to be working in close coordination and cooperation. Elected officials in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., ought to be up-to-date on these proposals and aware of the local support for such efforts.

This is not the time to drop the ball, assume someone else will get the job done or resist inter-agency cooperation for reasons of turf protection or past personality conflicts.

With so many significant projects pending, this a critical time to get the community working together toward the common goal of bringing life and vitality back to Butler.

The West End Revitalization plan, with the refurbished Pullman Park at its core, has attracted attention and financial support - in the form of a matching grant - from state officials. That project is beginning to move forward.

The Penn Theater Community Trust has been working for more than a year to restore the Main Street theater as a venue for performing arts, theater, musical and film events. All of these functions will bring people - and life - back to the city.

More recently, a project including a downtown hotel with event space as well as retail and downtown living opportunities has been presented to developers.

Then last week, as icing on the cake, county officials report that new life has been breathed into the idea of building a recreation complex featuring two or three ice rinks.

Also encouraging is news that the former Woolworth site might finally be something other than an unsightly vacant lot. It was earlier this month that Perry O'Malley, interim executive director of the city's Redevelopment Authority and executive of the Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, said that developers have expressed interest in a "city center" complex, including a hotel, retail, housing and a parking garage.

Whether or not all of these projects will be brought to completion is unknowable. But what is known is that extraordinary effort and cooperation among all local officials is more important than ever. Without coordinated effort and cooperation, these projects are unlikely to move forward.

Members of the many local boards and authorities should be putting extra effort into keeping informed about all the pending projects. They should be looking for opportunities to coordinate efforts or assist in any way to get these major proposals moving forward.

The cooperation evident between city and county officials in the effort to include the former Woolworth site in a larger redevelopment effort is a good start. There should be more such cooperative efforts.

Average citizens too can do their part by stepping forward and contacting a board, authority of committee to see what opportunities there are for volunteering their time and effort.

With so many major projects having the potential to move Butler in a positive direction, the next year or so represents a rare opportunity that must not be missed.