If a song were being written about Butler’s redevelopment efforts in the city’s downtown business district, it probably would have to be titled “Waiting for a Miracle.”

With the city facing a shaky — and worsening — financial picture and the possibility of a fiscal crisis in about three years, along with Pennsylvania lawmakers trying to eliminate a $4 billion-plus 2011-12 state budget shortfall, it’s hard to fathom that this city’s Centre City project will move any closer to reality during the next 12 months.

In the works since 2005, Centre City has worthy goals, including construction of an 18,000-square-foot events center, a 125-room hotel and a parking garage. And, the city redevelopment authority has a good partner in the proposed venture, developer Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation.

But with money prospects tight and, it seems, more uncertain with each passing year, it looks increasingly likely that only a miracle will make actual construction a reality.

The events center would be at least partially funded by public money; the parking garage would be entirely a taxpayer-supported project.

Adding to the grounds for pessimism is the lack of interest that the proposed Centre One building at 150 S. Main St. has generated. Centre One, regarded as a test of the market for retail and office space in the downtown, has, according to redevelopment authority executive director Perry O’Malley, gotten “virtually no interest.”

Officials have been consistent in their stance that a building on the site not be constructed without tenants being confirmed first. However, at some point, if there is money available, building a structure with a number of use options might serve as a magnet for some company or companies that might not now envision themselves on that site.

However, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation representatives said in March that the success or failure of Centre One, for which it also is the developer, would be a factor in the foundation’s decision to pursue Centre City, which would be located across Main Street.

With state lawmakers consumed in trying to reach agreement on a 2011-12 balanced budget while also considering such major issues as a tax or impact fee on Marcellus Shale drilling, Butler’s redevelopment needs undertandably are far down the list of state funding priorities.

Despite all that, it’s critical for local officials not to give up hope — and continue to reach out to legislators and others in Harrisburg about Centre City’s importance to Butler’s future — even given the difficult odds.

Sometimes miracles do happen, but only because people do all the right things to make them happen. That’s what needs to happen here.