Most Butler Eagle readers weren't surprised to learn, by way of a front-page article on Monday, that the recession has negatively impacted city projects.

Few area residents would have thought otherwise, considering the lack of visible progress so far this year on initiatives such as the large-scale Centre City Project, the West End Revitalization Project and construction of a new multi-modal transit center.

Nevertheless, the article provided encouraging news: Activity still is going on behind the scenes to move those and other projects forward.

One of the "other" projects is a remaking of the farmers market off West Diamond and South Chestnut streets. According to Perry O'Malley, executive director of the Redevelopment Authority of Butler, work is in the design phase for that project, which is being financed by a $335,000 state grant through the Fresh Food Financing Initative.

The Fresh Food program is aimed at promoting the availability of fresh food products, which is the principal goal of the market.

The market upgrade will involve installation of electricity and water service, as well as garage doors to enclose the shelter.

Increasing interest in buying locally grown food should help build support for vendors at a refurbished farmers market.

Meanwhile, also in the city's West side, work continues on the design for the entrance to the new Pullman Park, which has become a major magnet of activity and popularity, in large part due to the arrival of the Butler BlueSox, as well as major special attractions such as Brian Minto's continuing climb up the professional boxing ladder.

Some city residents might have been skeptical — some still might be skeptical — about the Centre City Project's prospects for completion in the foreseeable future, in part because of Rite-Aid's continuing financial challenges.

But O'Malley said, even despite the company's financial problems, Rite-Aid remains committed to Butler by way of a 14,400-square-foot pharmacy that is promoted as the cornerstone of the Centre City effort.

The Centre City Project also includes plans for a mini convention center, a hotel with retail shopping provisions, a tier parking garage, and apartments or condominiums — a big agenda for such difficult economic times.

Such a big project would provide work for many people — one of the goals of President Barack Obama's big economic stimulus effort.

Another project on the local agenda that has remained out of the spotlight for the most part in recent months is the first phase of the new transit center. Now there's news that a significant step forward is near at hand. That is advertising for construction bids for a 7,000-square-foot office building, a maintenance and wash bay building and a storage area for Butler Transit Authority and Butler Area Rural Transit buses.

Unfortunately, the second phase of the project — addition of a waiting area for interconnecting bus routes and Park 'N' Ride commuters, and enclosing the center's storage area — remains unfunded and, thus, has no start date.

First-phase construction completion is targeted for summer 2010.

While bad economic conditions are an unfortunate setback, that situation need not completely halt work on planning for new ventures.

To the credit of the redevelopment and transit authorities, and other officials such as those at the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, a move-forward attitude continues to prevail.

The years 2008 and 2009 won't be seen as the arrival of a new renaissance, but the work going on behind the scenes is significant.

And that work must continue. Being ready for better times and availability of additional money is essential for the city to capitalize on future opportunities.