The Butler YWCA and Butler County Housing Redevelopment Authority are paving a new path in the state by way of the Y's proposed assisted-living and senior independent apartment facility, to be called Under Our Wing. Nothing exactly like what is to be built here starting next month is operating anywhere else in the commonwealth.

But even more noteworthy than that distinction, from the point of view of the city, is that a vacant lot will again be put to productive use. And, the people who will live in the 24 studio-type apartments, six of which will be designed for people in wheelchairs or with hearing or vision impairments, will accomplish the positive task of ensuring that additional people will be living in the downtown business district, in a comfortable and upbeat setting and environment.

It is to be presumed that their presence will, to some degree, benefit downtown stores and other enterprises, either directly or by way of purchases and use of services by people visiting them.

A number of jobs will be created for people with the skill and training to serve the low-income elderly residents who will occupy the units.

The project will deliver the message that Butler continues to adapt to the changing face urban downtowns of its size have had to project since the migration of major retailers to the malls and outlying shopping centers. In addition, the YWCA and authority are adding an additional ingredient of life to the downtown at a time when the city wants to put its best face forward - in part, because of other existing vacant space that needs to be filled, such as the spacious former Woolworth site, and soon-to-be-vacant land, such as the former Wishing Well card shop property, a smaller site that also will need a new tenant.

Vacant land in a downtown business district projects stagnation; Butler must battle that kind of depressed image in whatever way possible.

While the site of the YWCA's proposed facility isn't huge, it is significant because of its close proximity to Main Street. It also is significant due to the $3.2 million investment that the project will encompass.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency commendably recognized the merits of the project and no doubt sees the possibilities of imitating this type of facility elsewhere. PHFA's approval will enable the project to move to groundbreaking in mid-November and completion by next fall, when it can begin to showcase the product of the vision and excellent planning that have led up to this point in time.

Whenever possible, it is important for Butler to be a leader. The proposed facility is an example of leadership. The project also will strengthen the YWCA's already-strong and respected role in the community, as well as reinforce its commitment to the downtown.

The benefits to be derived from having the project downtown will far exceed the facility's actual size and physical scope.

- J.R.K.