Congratulations to Rite Aid Corp. on the opening of its new pharmacy and store Thursday at the corner of East Cunningham and South Main streets.

The new store, which was built in about eight months, is considerably larger than the storefront it vacates one block away at 118 S. Main, and its amenities now include a drive-through window, public restrooms and a spacious parking area.

It’s the first of three parts of the Centre City project to be completed. Years of planning and development have gone into Centre City, where work is expected to begin this spring on a Marriott Springhill Suites hotel at the corner of South McKean and East Jefferson streets and a 225-space tiered parking garage between the hotel and the pharmacy.

The current and former mayors, Tom Donaldson and Maggie Stock, joined local and corporate Rite Aid personnel for the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting. Donaldson called the new Rite Aid “the first gem in the crown jewel” of the Center City project.

The palatial new store stands testament to what’s possible when planners dare to dream big. Its prime location, at one of the city’s busiest intersections, previously was an unpaved parking lot and aging former home of the Sons of Italy lodge. The new structure will considerably boost the property’s tax value while attracting new commerce for existing businesses in the area.

Congratulations to the Butler Redevelopment Authority and its director, Art Cordwell. It would not be inaccurate to observe that the authority’s future may be riding on Centre City’s outcome, so the completion of a first phase must be particularly satisfying to the authority, its board members and Cordwell.

Congratulations also to former Mayor Stock, who worked virtually her entire eight years in office with the Redevelopment Authority to bring the project to fruition.

“I think every brick represents a meeting or a phone call,” said Stock, referencing the long struggle to bring the development downtown.

Is it possible that the construction bug will become contagious? Could be. One block to the west, the Butler County Government Center annex is framed and walled in; and preliminary planning is under way for a Dunkin’ Donuts store to build on the site of the former Flynn Tire store at West Brady and North Main streets. An estimate of $1 million for that project has been reported.

It should be obvious by now that investors are betting and banking on downtown Butler. With a little encouragement, perhaps more investors will follow their lead.