After a surge of momentum that began last year on the decades-long plan to renovate the armory in Marietta, followed by recent weeks of debate about funding and the project's self-sustainability, city council decided Tuesday to postpone the project, while still keeping it alive.
We think not pushing forward to begin spring construction was a very wise decision.
There were too many questions still to be answered, numbers to be researched and plans to be made.
It's critical that council have a rock solid, well-researched business plan that has the facility in the black before moving forward and we're glad they realized they're not yet at that point.
There are still concerns about the profit projections and whether the planned rent charge is reasonable, the fundraising estimates are realistic and whether there is actually a gap to fill in construction costs.
It's hard for those supporters of the Armory renovation to face possibly losing a $461,000 grant by waiting, but that was the only decision that could be made right now to protect taxpayers.
Removing a looming deadline and pursuing this project when it's the right time and the numbers show that is the right thing to do.
