The things that the Butler Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board envisions for the city's core area make sense.

However, the board's ideas will require a sustained mission capable of accepting, then overcoming, delays and disappointments that almost certainly will occur along the way. A many-pronged effort such as what the board is pursuing almost certainly will be prone to some setbacks.

Many ideas have been expressed for the downtown in recent years by various entities and individuals, and most never got beyond that idea stage because a strong will not to fail was absent. It is to be hoped that the redevelopment advisory board becomes the big exception and is successful at keeping its current ideas - and any future ones that might be forthcoming - moving forward toward a day when they are in place.

The board's ideas must be viewed as a long-term endeavor because of the need for state and private - and possibly federal - money to help finance what is planned. That means the board must guard against discouragement if success isn't as quick in coming as advisory board members would prefer.

The board should seek to help its proposals by maintaining close contact with the county's state legislators and U.S. Rep. Phil English.

Success is built upon a foundation of ideas. Many of this city's current problems are rooted in the years when leaders did not have progressive ideas and were content with having the city stand still.

This advisory board's mind-set is consistent with the reality that the city can no longer afford to stand still and, while the board's ideas are not earthshaking in scope, they are a definite basis for optimism.

A riverwalk along the southern bend of Connoquenessing Creek that could include an interactive museum highlighting Butler industries and inventions such as the Bantam vehicles would represent a delightful addition to the city - likewise, the board's plan for developing streetscapes, improving downtown landscaping and transforming alleys into pedestrian destinations.

The board's proposals to get big-truck traffic off Main Street and help in the revitalization of upper floors of Main Street buildings will be a more difficult task. Years of on-and-off discussion about Main Street's truck traffic have failed to produce a solution, and the condition of upper floors of some city buildings will make "rebirth" of that space an expensive and daunting endeavor.

Likewise, the board's plan to initiate a Main Street manager program is an idea that isn't new, but which has failed to take hold in the city up to now. This board has the beginnings of making that happen, however.

The board is correct in planning meetings with various organizations and governmental entities to present its plans and seek support. Bob Wanke, a board member, presented his group's plans to the city council Thursday and received a positive reception.

Hopefully, the board will be accorded open-mindedness and confidence in its other meetings - and, similarly, that city residents will have faith in the board's good intentions at this early stage.

The board's work adds another important dimension to everything that is happening in the city this year. What's important is that nothing of what it is proposing is in conflict with those other steps forward and, therefore, should be welcomed.