WAITING GAME CONTINUES ON OLD HOSPITAL, HOTEL

On-again, off-again plans for demolishing old St. Francis Hospital and the Marquette Hotel are off again for now pending possible developments. A company has said it plans to tear down the old hospital and put up affordable apartments. The new owner of the old hotel has said he wants to renovate the building so it can be used as a hotel again.

If one had to choose, plans for the hospital seem more likely to be carried out. Renovation of the old hotel would be a costly proposition that hardly seems feasible. Meanwhile, the public continues to have to put up with two eyesores in the heart of town.

The city, which has condemned both buildings, shouldn't allow the owners of either property to procrastinate on their plans. If the plans can't be carried out -- within reasonable time -- the city would be doing the public a favor by moving ahead on demolition.