The announcement in Butler last week that the city's Redevelopment Authority would be partnering with Landmarks Development Corp. of Pittsburgh to advance what's known as the Centre City project is generating mostly cautious optimism.

Landmarks Development, a for-profit subsidiary of the nonprofit Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, has been the driving force behind developments including Station Square on Pittsburgh's South Side and the current efforts to rejuvenate Market Square in the Golden Triangle area of the city.

Bringing in Landmarks Development gives Butler's project more credibility because of the organization's experience, expertise and successful projects in Pittsburgh and elsewhere in the region.

To some in Butler, however, news that another study on the Centre City project would be conducted sounded like more of the same — study and talk, but no action.

Over several decades, various committees and groups have focused on revitalizing downtown Butler. These local efforts have met with varying degrees of success, but no major development ever emerged. So, some skepticism is understandable.

On the plus side, however, the Landmarks Development study should be seen as a legitimate first step before taking further action. It's also encouraging that the new study is to be conducted by a national firm and is expected to be completed within four to six weeks.

More than anything, the partnership between the city's Redevelopment Authority and Landmarks Development gives the project new energy and brighter prospects.

The Centre City project, including plans for a miniconvention center, a hotel, parking and a mix of retail and residential spaces, has been on the drawing board for about six years, according to Perry O'Malley, Redevelopment Authority executive director. The current plan targets property bordered by Main and McKean streets, between East Cunningham and East Jefferson streets.

If the feasibility study comes back with positive results, which is what Landmark's president and CEO Arthur Ziegler believes will happen, the development firm will take the lead in getting the project moving as a public-private partnership.

Landmarks Development also is planning to include public input as it develops a vision for the Centre City project, which will take a broader view of downtown development, including renovation of the Penn Theater on Main Street.

While the concept of such a major development project might seem out of reach to some, others believe it is doable — and see the involvement of Landmarks as evidence of that.

Though problems could still arise, it's helpful for Butler to be positive and focus on the possible. Joseph Stewart, former chief executive officer of Butler Memorial Hospital, noted that when the idea of opening a heart center at BMH was proposed, one of the biggest challenges was to convince the hospital staff — and community — that it was possible. Many people thought such a sophisticated medical facility was only for major cities.

With the BMH heart center up and running, and earning positive reviews from the start, it might be a reminder that Butler needs to have more confidence about what is possible.

Given the downtown area's relative stagnation, or even slow decline, over the past decade or so, a reason to be optimistic about the future is welcome.

Butler, like many similarly sized communities, has been facing challenges. If the Centre City project moves forward, it would be a shot in the arm for the downtown — and also could spark some additional private development in the business district. If the Centre City project does get moving, others will likely see the potential and move to get involved.

The cautious optimism generated by last week's announcement is better than pessimism or resignation to the status quo. And the partnership with Landmarks Development looks like a good way to help spark long-awaited revitalization in Butler.