It’s a sobering jolt seeing the possible dismantling of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler, just as construction begins on its crowning achievement, the Marriott Springhill Suites hotel and tiered parking garage that will complete the Centre City project.

Art Cordwell resigned Sept. 30 after four years as the authority’s executive director. Authority officials are uncertain how they’ll find a successor or the funding to pay a new executive director.

The authority cut Cordwell’s $56,000 salary in half a year ago — and he’s collected only $14,000 of that — over rising financial concerns.

Cuts in state funding have been the biggest hurdle. State funding fell from $680,000 four years ago to $274,000 in fiscal year 2014-15.

Running the authority with little working capital, and at one-quarter salary, had to be difficult and stressful. It was noble of Cordwell to stay under those circumstances until the Centre City construction deal was done.

Cordwell also has lightened the authority’s debt burden, particularly with the sale of Kelly Automotive Park to the city Parks, Recreation Grounds and Facilities authority, which erased $1.6 million in debt.

But not even counting the ballpark, the authority under Cordwell decrease a $3.2 million debt about $400,000.

But what should happen next?

The authority’s general mission — to attract businesses, create jobs, and implement overall growth in the city — is not complete and never will be.

One specific mission is left undone: restoring the Penn Theater on North Main Street.

The authority bought the theater in 2009 through a loan program by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. The authority has defaulted on the mortgage payments.

The theater has damage to the stage area, seating area, bathrooms, attic, stairs, offices and electrical room on the first and second floor. Last month the city zoning officer found more than a dozen code violations outside the building and even more inside.

When the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation began making repairs to the exterior over the summer, Cordwell said the authority didn’t object to any renovations done by the foundation but questioned whether it was a good investment.

“If all they do is fix the front end, then the back of the structure falls down or the city condemns the property and tears it down — what good is it?” he asked.

Undaunted, the foundation continues its ongoing repairs to address the code violations. But an estimate done in 2009 set a full restoration at more than $4 million.

If the foundation would foreclose on the mortgage it would be doing the Redevelopment Authority a favor. The only other realistic option is for the city to condemn and demolish it.

As for the redevelopment authority, it should continue in some capacity, possibly merged with another existing agency or authority.

Mayor Tom Donaldson has suggested that the authority could save money by selling or leasing its building on Cunningham Street and move operations to City Hall. It’s a good suggestion.