The Butler Shade Tree Commission merits praise for seeking ways to improve the city's business district. Its idea about turning the now-vacant former Wishing Well store property into a park provides an opportunity for additional discussion about the direction of downtown revitalization.

But while a park might be ideal for the site temporarily, the city should not sign on to a plan that would locate a park there permanently.

The site is part of a downtown corner that is regarded as one of the best business locations in the city. Efforts should continue to market that site — and the site of the former Woolworth's building across Main Street, which now is a parking lot — for business enterprises.

Like many other downtown business districts, Butler continues to feel the impact of the exodus to the suburbs. However, this city never should lose hope about making these two important sites vibrant again from a business standpoint.

Although efforts to do that have been unproductive thus far, the fact that the downtown is home to the county governmental complex enhances the prospects of eventually achieving success.

Perry O'Malley, executive director of the Butler Redevelopment Authority, which owns the Wishing Well site, said the authority has been involved in discussions with potential developers. Until a developer commits to the site, which could take years, although hopefully not, the Shade Tree Commission should be encouraged to proceed with its idea as a temporary use for the land.

Temporary use would no doubt limit the scope of the commission's plan, in part because the commission would not be eligible for federal — and, presumably, state — funds that would be based on an agreement for permanent park use.

Some benches and other amenities of a temporary nature would nevertheless be an asset to the downtown for now.

In its permanent-park proposal, the commission has included ideas such as a stage and fountain and possibly making the site into a wireless hot spot for computer use.

Those ideas would be attractive for a site that is not being so highly regarded in terms of the downtown's business future.

There also is another factor to consider. That is that Diamond Park is situated only a block from the site in question. A park setting farther from Diamond Park would make a relaxed setting available to people beyond the immediate county government perimeter.

There are other communities that covet the kind of initiative that the commission has demonstrated in recent years.

City Councilwoman Kathy Kline, who supports the idea for a park at the Wishing Well site, has said a park would represent progress that the public could see.

"If that property is so valuable, why hasn't something been built there?" she asked.

That is a good question.

However, it isn't in the city's best interests to throw up its hands in despair simply because past attempts to market the property haven't been successful. The past failures merely signal the need to push ahead more determinedly.

If the Shade Tree Commission does in fact move ahead with its idea, but as a temporary park, any cost associated with the project could presumably be recouped in the eventual sale of the property.

The redevelopment authority will be hoping to recoup the $173,500 it has invested in the site.

Regarding the Shade Tree Commission's proposal, Mike Kelly, a city councilman who also serves as redevelopment authority chairman, said that as nice as an additional park on Main Street might be, "We need to make sure this is the right place and the right plan for the lot."

With the stipulation of "temporary" attached, there should be no reluctance to putting the land to use for the public's enjoyment and relaxation, if the commission concurs with that approach.