The pursuit of a good idea is often delayed by the belief that waiting a little longer could result in something better, even when that something better has yet to be defined.
Many a solid project has languished or faded away because of that inaction, as decision makers wait hopefully for the perfect solution to manifest itself. That assumes, of course, that everyone would recognize an undisputed winner if it did materialize.
That’s why Snow Hill town officials did the right thing when they agreed to a deal with Richard and Debbie Seaton that will bring their shop, Toy Town, to the empty building on the corner of Market and Washington Streets.
While some might contend that the Seatons are getting a sweetheart arrangement, the fact is they have committed to quite an undertaking, as they will be responsible for major — and expensive —renovations and upgrades to a structure that has been vacant for 30 years.
Besides, no matter what anyone says, no one gets anything from an empty building that, without the proper attention, would become a blight on the downtown.
Was a better idea just around the corner? No one can say with any certainty, which makes this a bird-in-the-hand situation and, accordingly, the right thing to do.
Nothing declares a lack of downtown prosperity like a vacant storefront, a circumstance that Berlin addressed in similar fashion some years ago, as officials went about piecing together a string of deals and incentives to put some vibrancy back into the local marketplace.
It worked there and that same approach is being applied now in Snow Hill. This isn’t just about the Seatons or Toy Town, this is a first step to breathe new life into Snow Hill’s commercial center and all that surrounds it.